Dutch

Dutch: Online Veterinary Telemedicine for Dogs and Cats

Dutch is an online veterinary service that offers 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians for dogs and cats, along with prescription medications shipped to your home. The company presents itself as an alternative to in-person visits for non-urgent consultations, with an annual membership that covers up to five pets.

How the Service Works

The process begins by scheduling a video call with a licensed veterinarian in the client's state. During the appointment, the professional reviews symptoms, medical history, and any photos or videos the user shares, and may request some simple live checks. After the consultation, the veterinarian sends a personalized treatment plan with a link to purchase the recommended medications, which are shipped to your home at no shipping cost. Members have unlimited follow-up via message or video.

Conditions Treated and Coverage

According to the company's information, veterinarians can address more than 150 common health issues, and over 90% of cases can be resolved virtually. Conditions they treat include allergies and skin problems, anxiety and behavior, arthritis and joints, coughing, diarrhea, diet and nutrition, ear health, fleas and ticks, and urinary health. They also offer at-home lab test kits. For cases requiring in-person care, such as emergencies, wounds needing stitches, blood work, imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds), or surgery, veterinarians refer to a local clinic and provide guidance until the pet is seen. They are also available for second opinions and follow-up after in-person visits.

Membership and Pricing

Dutch operates on an annual membership of $132 ($11 per month), which covers unlimited video consultations for up to five pets. The company states that this cost is designed to be less than a typical in-person veterinary visit. Payment can also be split into four payments of $33. Prescription medications are an additional cost and are shown transparently before purchase. The membership includes 20% off flea and tick products and $25 off the first product order.

Pharmacy and Products

Dutch's online pharmacy offers prescription and over-the-counter medications. Featured products include Simparica Trio (6 months), Nexgard PLUS for dogs (3 months), NexGard COMBO for cats (3 months), Apoquel and Zenrelia tablets. Prices shown in the catalog are, for example, $203.51 per unit for Simparica Trio, $113.49 for Nexgard PLUS, $81.99 for NexGard COMBO, $3.25 per unit for Apoquel, and $2.84 per unit for Zenrelia. The company notes that prescription medications are typically shipped within 1 to 3 business days.

Veterinary Team and Licenses

All Dutch veterinarians are licensed professionals in the state where they provide services, and many have years of clinical experience as well as telemedicine expertise. Medical oversight is led by Dr. Kate Elden, the company's Chief Medical Officer. The website mentions several veterinarians with more than a decade of experience, such as Dr. Wrenn (15+ years), Dr. Mori Afraz (11+ years), Dr. Radillo (15+ years), and Dr. Chestnut (13+ years).

Availability and Geographic Coverage

Dutch veterinarians are licensed to practice in most U.S. states, and coverage expands as new state licenses are obtained. Video consultations are available same-day in most states, including evenings and weekends. The company is not pet insurance, but a direct telemedicine membership; however, many pet insurance plans reimburse telemedicine consultations and prescription medications, and Dutch can provide an itemized invoice to support claims.

Background and Reach

Dutch Pet, Inc. is the parent company of the service. According to its data, more than 900,000 pet parents have used the platform. The company maintains a blog and a veterinary care report, and offers a referral program. For press inquiries, it has the email press@dutch.com, and for customer care, care@dutch.com. It also has a support phone number: 1-855-373-8824.