Why I’m Switching Vets for MY DOG Buttons (and You Might Want To, Too)
As a dog parent to a 6-year-old Maltipoo named Buttons, I’ve always tried to do right by my little floof. From feeding him high-quality food to making sure he gets the best care, his well-being is always top of mind.
With Buttons turning six next month, he’s officially entering his middle-aged dog years—which means his health is now my number one priority. I’ve started adding supplements to his food (more on that in another post!) and, most recently, I’ve decided to switch up his veterinary care.
Buttons is turning 6 next month!
This blog post was partly inspired by a recent BBC article that highlighted the rising costs of veterinary care and the growing frustration among pet owners over lack of pricing transparency. It really made me reflect on how important it is to find a vet that not only offers great care, but also clear, honest pricing and flexible options.
With Buttons getting older, I knew it was time to make sure we were set up with a vet that could support us through this next stage—both medically and financially.
We originally signed up with Creature Comforts, but I’ve made the switch to Virtue Vets, and here’s why:
Why I’ve moved to Virtue Vets
💸 Better Value for Money
Virtue Vets are the only clinic chain offering three thoughtfully designed subscription tiers—Basic, Premium, and Luxe—developed after extensive surveys and interviews with hundreds of pet owners. Their Basic plan is just £20/month and includes flea, tick, and worming treatments—I’m already saving around £170 a year with it.
They also offer a Premium plan that includes dental cleaning, and a Luxe plan that covers things like AHCs and travel certifications. With each tier, you also get increasing discounts on additional treatments: 15% off with Basic, 20% off with Premium, and 30% off with Luxe.
Even if you don’t opt for a plan, their pay-as-you-go pricing is still very competitive. Plus, their prescription medicine prices (using a basic worming tablets as an example) are probably the lowest in London.
Scroll down to check out the comparison table I put together!
📍Convenient Locations
Their Marylebone branch is much closer for me, and it’s in in my favourite neighbourhood, making appointments less of a hassle. They also have clinics in Chelsea and Notting Hill and will be opening clinics in other parts of London.
🧪 Top-Tier Equipment
They’ve invested in high-quality equipment, which gives me extra confidence in the care Buttons will receive. They are a full service clinic and provide almost all services in house, without needing to refer us to a hospital (except for heart, brain and spinal surgery which require specialised equipment).
📊 Simple, Flexible Plans
I like the fact that Virtue Vets keeps it simple. Their subscription options actually give you freedom:
Three tiers starting at £20/month. with no commitment required
Pay-as-you-go options priced 30-40% below most London area vets
Upgrade, downgrade, or cancel anytime (they only request fair usage)
✨ Transparent, No-Nonsense Care
I really like the vibes at Virtue Vets. The team is welcoming and transparent. I know I will never been charged any unexpected fees and they don't have any confusing “members-only” rules. They really provide good, honest care for your pet. Plus, they will soon offer out-of-hours emergency care so you can receive continued, top-level care with vets who know your animal best.
Why I Put These Tables Together
I once signed up for subscription plan without reading the small print and got stung. What seemed like a good deal ended up being far less flexible (and more costly) than I’d expected.
So, I’ve put together two comparison tables. As the saying goes, it’s all in the details.
Hopefully this gives you a clearer picture of what each plan actually includes, and how the pay-as-you-go pricing compares across a few clinics.
If you’re deciding what’s best for you and your pet, I hope this helps.
Comparison Table 1 – A breakdown of all the plans and what each one covers.
Comparison Table 2 – Pay-as-you-go pricing, comparing Virtue Vets, Creature Comforts, and two of the bigger vet chains, so you can see the difference for yourself.
Whether you’re a new dog parent or have been around the block a few times like me, Virtue Vets is the first clinic I’ve found that really strikes the balance between quality, value, and peace of mind (in my honest opinion that is).
If you’re feeling locked into a subscription model that’s no longer working for you, I recommend giving them a look—especially if you're after something more flexible without compromising on care. I know Cooper and Poppy have already signed up.
—Keef 🐾 & my very pampered Maltipoo.
More information about the Virtue Vets plan can be found HERE
If you want a PDF copy of the table, you can access it HERE
p/s One final note: Even with a great subscription plan, I’d still recommend having separate pet insurance in place. It can help cover unexpected, big-ticket costs, like accidents, surgeries, or serious illnesses, and give you extra peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
I compiled this information from the clinics’ websites and phone calls, and I’ve done my best to keep it accurate. Since prices and plans may change, please use this as a helpful reference and confirm the latest details directly with each clinic.
Health Plan Comparison Table
I’ve highlighted green for what’s included and red for what’s not. I only included vets I know that actually offer a plan on this table, to keep things relevant and easy to compare.
Savings are based on Virtue Vets low Pay As You Go prices.
Green indicates the best value, and red marks the most expensive. This table compares Virtue Vets, Creature Comforts, and two more established vet care providers, so you can really see how they stack up.
