Taking Your Pet to the Vet in Tokyo
If you are planning to move to Tokyo with your pets, or already living in the city and thinking about buying a furry friend, knowing that good veterinary care is available if your pet needs it is probably one of your top concerns. But if you can't speak Japanese, the prospect of getting help for your pet can be daunting and stressful.
Luckily, there are several vets (or animal hospitals, as they are most often referred to in Japan) scattered across the city where English-speaking staff can help give your pets the best care possible. So let's look at some of the best veterinarians in Tokyo with English support available, and learn some simple tips to help make your visit to the vet even smoother.
Veterinary Clinics in Tokyo
・Westcross Veterinary Hospital (Meguro, Tokyo)
This vet in Meguro provides medical care for dogs, cats, and ornamental fish. They provide a wide range of medical services, including general medical care, surgery, and diagnostic imaging. It also has specialized centers for cancer treatment and cardiovascular care, among others. On Friday afternoons, it offers appointment-based medical services.
【Examination Hours】
Mon-Sat：10:00-19:00
Sun/Holidays：10:00-13:00
Westcross Veterinary Hospital Website
・Crown Animal Hospital (Bunkyo, Tokyo)
This vet provides care for cats and dogs. In addition to general medical care and surgery, the hospital offers dental care and nutritional counseling for pets. Examination hours may change due to events like academic conferences.
【Examination Hours】
Mon-Sat: 9:30-12:30, 15:00-19:00 (last admission at 18:30)
Sun/Holidays: 9:30-12:30
・Japan Animal Medical Center (Shibuya, Tokyo)
This hospital has separate waiting rooms and examination rooms for dogs, cats, and rabbits. Reservations by appointment are available from 9:00-20:00. The hospital also provides emergency and critical care services in its intensive care unit. They also offer a kennel (these are usually called "pet hotels" in Japan) and a grooming salon at the same location.
Emergency care is available 24/7, but there may be longer waiting times at night. The hospital is closed on Wednesday afternoons and nights for non-emergency cases. Extra charges apply for emergency care. Not all staff speak English, so it's best to call ahead. Filling out an English form on the website in advance is necessary.
【Examination Hours】
Mon-Sat: 9:00-19:00
Sun/Holidays: 9:00-17:00
Japan Animal Medical Center Website
・Toranomon Animal Hospital (Minato, Tokyo)
Toranomon Animal Hospital provides medical services for a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other small animals. It offers general medical care, surgery, dental care, dermatology, and ophthalmology services. They also have a kennel on-site. Making an appointment in advance and confirming availability by phone is recommended. Although English-speaking staff is available, the clinic advises bringing a translator or translation app just in case there are communication difficulties.
【Examination Hours】
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat: 9:00-12:00, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sun/Holidays: 9:00-12:00
Wednesdays & Every 3rd Saturday: Closed
Toranomon Animal Hospital Website
・Daktari Animal Hospital
Dakar Animal Hospital provides medical services for an extensive range of pets including dogs, cats, exotic animals (such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.), birds (such as parakeets, finches, etc.), turtles, monkeys, squirrels, and more. There are three locations in Tokyo, and a reservation is required before bringing in your pet. The Tokyo Medical Center location also provides 24-hour emergency medical treatment.
・Shirokanedai Branch (Tokyo Medical Center)
Emergency Medical Treatment is available at this location 24/7. This branch has an advanced medical center with a state-of-the-art CT center, cancer center, and second opinion facility.
2F Shirokanedai Apt., 5-14-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo TEL：03-5420-0012
【Examination Hours】
Open 365 Days a year
10:00-12:30 (Reception closed 12:00) (Last Appointment 11:30)
14:30-19:00 (Reception closed 18:30) (Last Appointment 18:00)
・Tomigaya Branch
This branch has a rehabilitation center and offers alternative medicine such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.
1F Maple Wood 11 Bld., 1-30-22 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-5452-3060
【Examination Hours】
Tue, Wed, Thu: 9:00-12:30｜14:30-18:00
Mon, Fri: 9:00-18:00
Saturday: 10:00-12:30｜14:30-19:00
Sunday: 10:00-19:00
・Kugayama Branch
This branch also has a kennel/pet hotel, offers various services including grooming and training, and sells pet supplies.
3-7-27 Kugayama, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3334-3536
【Examination Hours】
Tue,Fri,Sat：10:00-12:30｜14:30-19:00
Daktari Animal Hospital Website
Things to Know Before Going to the Vet in Japan
While going to the vet in Japan is much like going to the vet anywhere else, here are some things you should know before you go that will make the experience smoother and stress-free.
・Bring your ID and Proof of Ownership for your pet
In order to use a veterinary clinic in Japan, an owner's ID is often required. Dogs are usually required to be registered at your local city hall or ward office, and you will be issued a license tag that acts as proof of ownership. Be sure to have this ready to present when visiting a vet.
・Bring your pet's previous medical history with you
If you've taken your pet to a different vet before, it's a good idea to bring any test results or medical history with you to present to the vet. If the vet is unable to speak English fluently, he or she will likely still be able to understand your pet's medical history even if it is written in English.
・Bring a sample of your pet's excrement
Some vets may ask you to bring a stool or urine sample with you if you make a reservation before heading to the vet. If you're not sure how to go about doing that, make sure you ask the clinic beforehand.
・If your pet is behaving strangely, record a video
If you're worried about not being able to explain your pet's strange behavior properly, record a video of your pet when they are behaving differently to show to the vet. Hopefully, this helps smooth over any potential communication difficulties.
Good Luck!
With this information in hand, you should now be able to find a vet close to you that can help you keep your pet happy and healthy. While hopefully, you will not need to take your pet to the vet for anything beyond a routine checkup or vaccinations, you can now feel relieved knowing that there are services available in English to help you and your pet, even in the case of an emergency.
