How to find an exotic vet for a small pet near you

What does "exotic" mean at a vet practice?

At most practices, "exotics" simply means any pet that is not a cat or a dog. That covers every animal on this site: rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, degus and ferrets, along with birds and reptiles. A vet with an exotics interest is more likely to have scales that read in grams, small-mammal anaesthetic kit, and experience spotting illness in animals that hide it well.

"Exotic vet" is not a protected title, so treat it as a search term rather than a guarantee. Some vets hold extra recognised status: in the UK, the RCVS lists Advanced Practitioners and Specialists, and in the US the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certifies specialists in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice. Many excellent small-pet vets hold neither, which is why the questions below matter more than letters after a name.

Exotic vet near me: the fastest way to find one

1. Search the official list. In the UK, use the RCVS Find a Vet tool for practices near you. In the US, search the AEMV's Find a Vet directory or your state veterinary medical association.
2. Use an animal list where one exists. Rabbit owners in the UK have the RWAF's Rabbit-Friendly Vets list; ferret owners in the US have the American Ferret Association's list, covered on our ferret vet page.
3. Shortlist exotics practices. Check each practice's own site for an exotics or small mammals page and named vets with that interest.
4. Ring two or three. Ask the questions in the checklist below, naming your animal.
5. Register before you need them. Book a first check-up and save the out-of-hours number.

Where to search: directories for small pets

We don't list, rank or recommend individual practices. These directories show who is near you; the questions below help you choose.

Chinchilla vets

Chinchilla owners need a vet who sees chinchillas often, because they are easily stressed and hide illness. The MSD Veterinary Manual warns that chinchillas can suffer heat stroke at temperatures above about 27°C (80°F), and that signs of dehydration mean contacting a vet immediately. Ask any practice whether it sees chinchillas, and whether its out-of-hours clinic does too. A chinchilla's teeth grow all the time, so ask how the vet checks them. Our chinchilla health guide covers what to watch for at home.

Gerbil, mouse and degu vets

Gerbils, mice and degus are among the smallest patients a vet sees, so a practice used to tiny rodents makes a real difference: gram scales, gentle handling and care with anaesthetic. There is no gerbil, mouse or degu vet register that we could find in the UK or the US, so use RCVS Find a Vet or the AEMV, then ask each practice directly which vet sees the most small rodents. Our health guides for gerbils, mice and degus list the signs to watch for.

Rat vets

Rats need a vet who knows rats well. The RSPCA points out that rats cannot vomit, and advises contacting a vet immediately if you are worried your rat may have eaten something harmful. Ask practices whether they see pet rats regularly and how they handle small-rodent anaesthetics. Our is my rat sick guide and rat emergency guide cover the warning signs.

Guinea pig vets

The RSPCA advises taking guinea pigs for a check-up at least once a year, and warns that a guinea pig passing fewer or no droppings may be seriously ill, so speak to your vet without delay. Guinea pigs often sit with rabbits in a practice's exotics team, so a rabbit-friendly practice can be a good place to start, but ask whether it sees guinea pigs too. Our guinea pig health guide lists other signs to watch for.

Questions to ask a vet practice before you register

• Which of your vets sees my kind of animal most often?
• Can I book routine visits with that vet?
• Do you weigh small pets on scales that read in grams?
• How do you check teeth in rodents and rabbits?
• Who covers your out-of-hours emergencies, and will they see my animal?
• Is there a quiet waiting area away from dogs and cats?
• How often do you anaesthetise small mammals, and how do you keep them warm and safe?
• What does a consultation cost, and is my pet charged as an exotic?

When is it an emergency, and what to do out of hours

Small pets hide illness, so a change that looks minor can be serious. Not eating, fewer or no droppings, diarrhoea, trouble breathing, overheating and sudden weakness all need a vet the same day. Our species health pages list the specific signs for each animal.

How much does an exotic vet cost?

These figures come from one published price list, used only as a dated example; it is not a recommendation. Prices vary widely, so ring your own shortlist. Our hamster vet page and ferret vet page include US cost figures for those animals.