Most veterinarians work between 40 and 50 hours per week, but the actual number depends on their workplace and whether they handle emergencies

A typical full-time veterinarian in a standard clinic or hospital works 40 to 50 hours per week. That usually means eight to ten hours a day, five days a week, though some practices open on Saturdays. Veterinarians in emergency clinics or animal hospitals often work longer shifts — sometimes 12 to 24 hours at a stretch — because animals need care around the clock. Those hours vary significantly by employer, location, and whether the veterinarian is an owner or an employee.

The hours also depend on the type of practice. A veterinarian working in a small animal clinic (dogs and cats) typically has more predictable hours than one in a large animal practice (horses, cattle, farm animals), where emergency calls and travel time can stretch a workday unpredictably. Veterinarians who own their own practice often work longer hours than those employed by a clinic, especially during the first few years of ownership.

Key Takeaways

  • Full-time veterinarians in standard clinics work 40 to 50 hours per week, usually spread across five or six days.
  • Emergency and specialty hospitals require longer shifts, often 12 to 24 hours, because animals need care outside normal business hours.
  • Large animal veterinarians (horses, cattle) work unpredictable hours due to farm emergencies and travel between locations.
  • Veterinarians who own their practice typically work more hours than employed veterinarians, especially in the early years.
  • Part-time positions exist but are less common; most veterinary jobs are full-time roles with set schedules or on-call rotations.

Hours in a standard small animal clinic

A veterinarian working in a typical dog-and-cat clinic usually works 40 to 48 hours per week. The schedule is often Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., with a lunch break. Many clinics also open on Saturday mornings, which adds four to six hours to the week. Some clinics close one weekday instead and stay open Saturday, so the total hours stay roughly the same.

These hours are more predictable than in other veterinary settings because appointments are scheduled in advance. A veterinarian knows roughly how many animals they will see and can plan the day accordingly. However, emergencies still happen — a pet may have a severe reaction during a procedure, or a surgery may take longer than expected — so the actual day often runs past the scheduled closing time by 30 minutes to an hour.

Hours in emergency and specialty hospitals

Emergency veterinary hospitals operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so veterinarians who work there are scheduled in shifts. A typical shift is 12 hours, though some hospitals use 24-hour shifts where a veterinarian works one full day and then has several days off. A veterinarian working 12-hour shifts might work three or four shifts per week, which adds up to 36 to 48 hours, but the shifts are concentrated into fewer days.

Specialty hospitals — those focused on surgery, cardiology, oncology, or other specific areas — often have longer hours than general clinics. A veterinarian in a specialty practice might work 45 to 55 hours per week because the cases are more complex and require more time per animal. Some specialty veterinarians also teach or conduct research, which adds to their total hours.

Hours for large animal and farm veterinarians

Veterinarians who work with horses, cattle, and other farm animals have the least predictable schedules. They spend much of their time traveling between farms or ranches, and emergency calls can come at any hour. A large animal veterinarian might work 50 to 60 hours per week on average, but during calving season or during an outbreak of illness, those hours can spike significantly.

Many large animal veterinarians are on call during evenings and weekends, meaning they must be ready to respond to an emergency at any time. Even if they are not actively working those hours, being on call affects their schedule and availability. Some large animal practices rotate on-call duties among several veterinarians to spread the burden.

Hours for veterinary practice owners

A veterinarian who owns their own clinic typically works longer hours than an employed veterinarian. In the first few years of ownership, 50 to 60 hours per week is common, and some owners work even more while building the business. Beyond the hours spent seeing animals, owners must handle management tasks: staff scheduling, inventory, billing, marketing, and financial planning.

As a practice matures and the owner hires experienced staff to handle administrative work, the owner's hours may decrease. However, many practice owners continue to work 45 to 55 hours per week because they are responsible for the quality of care and the business's success. Some owners reduce their clinical hours and focus more on management, while others maintain a full caseload.

Part-time and flexible veterinary positions

Part-time veterinary positions exist but are uncommon. Most veterinary clinics need full-time staff because they operate during set hours and need consistent coverage. However, some large hospitals or multi-location practices hire part-time veterinarians to cover specific shifts or to provide extra capacity during busy seasons.

A part-time veterinarian might work 20 to 30 hours per week, often in a set schedule such as three days per week or specific shifts. These positions are more likely to be found in urban areas with multiple clinics or in large animal practices that can split on-call duties among several veterinarians. Newly graduated veterinarians sometimes take part-time positions while they complete additional training or certifications.

On-call and after-hours responsibilities

Many veterinarians, especially those in small animal clinics, are on call for emergencies outside their regular hours. Being on call does not mean working those hours every night, but it means being available if an emergency arises. Some clinics rotate on-call duties among staff, so a veterinarian might be on call one or two nights per week. Others use an external emergency clinic for after-hours cases, so their veterinarians have no on-call responsibility.

When a veterinarian is on call and an emergency comes in, they must come to the clinic, which can add several hours to their week. The frequency of emergency calls varies by location and season. A clinic in a busy urban area may receive more emergency calls than one in a rural area, and spring and summer often bring more injuries and acute illnesses than winter.

How hours vary by location and practice type

A veterinarian's hours depend heavily on where they work. Urban clinics often have longer hours (opening early and closing late) to serve working pet owners, which means veterinarians work longer days. Rural practices may have shorter hours but require more travel time between appointments. Veterinarians in university teaching hospitals work regular hours but also spend time on research, teaching, or both.

The type of animals also matters. A veterinarian who works with exotic animals (reptiles, birds, small mammals) may have fewer total hours than one in a busy small animal clinic because exotic cases are less common and require more time per animal. A veterinarian in a zoo or wildlife facility has a completely different schedule, often tied to the facility's operating hours and the animals' natural rhythms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do veterinarians work weekends?

Many do. Small animal clinics often open on Saturday mornings, and some open on Sunday. Emergency hospitals operate seven days a week, so veterinarians there work weekends regularly. Large animal veterinarians may work weekends during calving season or other busy times. The frequency depends on the specific practice and the veterinarian's schedule.

What is the longest shift a veterinarian typically works?

In emergency hospitals, 24-hour shifts are used at some facilities, though 12-hour shifts are more common. A veterinarian working a 24-hour shift is on site for the full 24 hours but may have quiet periods for rest. In a standard clinic, the longest shift is usually 10 to 12 hours, which happens when emergencies or complex surgeries run late.

Do all veterinarians work full-time?

Most do, but part-time positions exist. They are less common and more likely in large hospitals, multi-location practices, or rural areas where on-call duties can be shared. Some newly graduated veterinarians work part-time while completing additional training or certifications.

How many hours do veterinarians work per year?

A full-time veterinarian working 45 hours per week for 50 weeks per year (accounting for vacation) works roughly 2,250 hours annually. This varies by practice — some veterinarians work year-round with minimal vacation, while others take more time off. Owners and emergency veterinarians often work more hours per year than employed veterinarians in standard clinics.

Is being on call counted as work hours?

Being on call is not usually counted as work hours unless an emergency actually occurs and the veterinarian must come in. However, being on call affects schedule flexibility and can disrupt sleep or personal time. Some practices compensate on-call time with extra pay or time off, even if no emergency calls come in.