Urgent Care &Emergency Vet in Cerritos, CA

Same-day care for non-life-threatening emergencies. Save your spot online or walk in. You can stay with your pet in the treatment area throughout the visit.

Save My Spot

UrgentPaws or a 24-hour ER?

When your pet needs care today for a non-life-threatening illness or injury, we can help. If you’re not sure where to go, call us. We’ll help you figure it out.

Come see us today

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Not eating, hiding or acting off
  • Limping, a sore leg or back pain
  • Cuts, scrapes, wounds and torn nails
  • Bites, stings, hives and facial swelling
  • Ear infections and head shaking
  • Eye discharge and squinting
  • Itching, rashes, hot spots and allergies
  • Coughing, sneezing and runny nose
  • Straining to pee or blood in urine
  • Scooting and anal gland trouble
  • Lumps, bumps and abscesses

Save My Spot

Go to a 24-hour ER

  • Life-threatening emergencies
  • Hit by a car or a serious fall
  • Blue gums
  • Collapse or unresponsive
  • Bleeding that will not stop
  • Seizures that keep going
  • A swollen, hard belly with retching
  • Anything needing an operating room
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Anything needing an overnight stay

If you’re unsure, give us a call at (562) 625-8478.

What to Expect

  1. The UrgentPaws lobby and reception desk1

    Save your spot online

    Let us know you’re coming by picking an arrival time online, or just walk in.

  2. A private UrgentPaws exam room2

    Be shown to a private room immediately

    We will immediately triage your pet and escort you to a private room so you aren’t waiting in the lobby.

  3. A veterinarian going through the plan with a cat’s owner3

    Approve the treatment plan

    The vet examines your pet, explains what is going on, and you approve every line before we start.

  4. The UrgentPaws treatment area, open to the exam rooms4

    Stay by your pet’s side

    At UrgentPaws, there is no mystery door. We don’t “take your pet to the back” without inviting you to be by their side.

  5. A veterinarian explaining the plan to a pet’s family5

    Leave with a clear recovery plan

    You’ll leave with a written plan, and we’ll send the records to your regular vet.

What Cerritos pet parents say

4.8

60 Google reviews

elway T.

2 weeks ago

I would like to thank the doctor and his assistant Angela for taking good care of our dog lucy. Angela was so nice , patient and caring to our dog . Angela went above and beyond to ensure our dog lucy was conformable and not scared. The location was very and clean. The doctor made sure before we left that all questions were answered and we understood what he was staking to us about.

Jon M.

3 weeks ago

10/10 have already recommended to all my friends and family who have pets! The staff was suuuuper accommodating and patient with me and my pup as Bronson had to be put down due to cancer. Super clean and friendly and even sent me a card and some prints of his paws and his big ol nose! Thank you again and will definitely be coming back if I have to (fingers crossed I dont)!

Teresa F.

3 weeks ago

My Dog had swallowed a ear from a toy she was playing with I took her in they were so nice and understanding and knowledgeable everyone was so great I had a really good experience they made me feel calm and made sure my baby was taken care of definitely recommend here ❤️🐶☺️

Crystal Z.

1 month ago

BEST VET CARE EVER!!! I'm extremely ashamed that it's taken me so long to write this, but I have been thinking about UrgentPaws for months. They set the standard for exemplary care! Pros: *Quick service: I came during the holiday season and waited barely 5 minutes to get into a room *Caring staff: My cat didn't want to leave! Everyone was cuddling him and giving him treats. *Transparent care: all the work is done in a room surrounded by windows, owners can see exactly what's happening and more importantly how their pets are being treated! *Rational doctors: yes that's right! The vet doesn't push unnecessary products or services. They talk through your concerns and recommend what's right for you and your situation. It's not a big sales pitch; it's genuine concern! Cons: I wish they were my primary care vets instead of only an urgent care. I would exclusively go to them. This is the best experience I've had in over 20 years of bringing my dogs or cats for vet care. My little ones are all healthy right now (fingers crossed), but it's a huge relief for me to know that if something happens, I can get care at UrgentPaws. It's one less thing to stress about during the anxiety of sickness or injury.

Lucy S.

2 months ago

I found this clinic on Google because my dog was having a sudden allergic reaction starting last Thursday and I needed help urgently. I'm very satisfied with my experience. My primary pet clinic had prescribed a liquid steroid, but after taking it, my dog threw up three times on Saturday. Since last Thursday, he had been extremely itchy, crying through the night, scratching nonstop, trembling, and barely sleeping. By Sunday morning, he was trembling so much from the itchiness that I decided to look for another clinic and brought him here. They saw us right away. We met with the technician first, then spoke with the doctor. After discussing and explaning his symptoms everything, the doctor prescribed a steroid tablet and gave us a clear, detailed treatment plan. The doctor answered all of my questions thoroughly and confidently, which really helped me feel more at ease. I started following the plan yesterday afternoon, and my dog finally slept through the night for the first time in four days😭😭😭. Today, he was feeling so much better that he just even brought me a toy and wanted to play!!!! He had lost one pound in just four days, so I was really worried, but seeing him regain his energy made me so happy. I’m very grateful for the care we received here and would definitely recommend this clinic!!!!!!

Jacky O.

2 months ago

The care I received here was incredible… we have fed this cat for 6months now… and noticed 2 days straight she wouldn’t eat … also when I drove up to the drive way she didn’t move. After capturing , we came here! The vet pretty much told me from the start she would need to be hospitalized. She still ran test, and it was a lot more affordable then the hospital. Money aside, they even shaved her down and gave her a good cleaning. She had maggots growing at her eyes … just really rough shape. Where they treat the animals is in the center of the clinic, everything is windows. I really appreciate being able to see what they are doing. Not saying they are malicious, but something about being able to see your pet during their treatment , just gives more peace of mind. The office is very clean everything is well kept up. Honestly I was suppose to go to another hospital, but now they close at 7, but found this place instead. Honestly, everything worked out for the better. The vet even called a hospital and gave the vet on call a whole walk through of the case. You don’t understand how wonderful that was. To be referred for further treatment and not have to sit their and try to explain so much information. It’s a complicated case, she was on the phone for at least 15 mins… she didn’t have to do that. I am just so grateful, moving forward this is my new emergency go to. I can’t say enough good things about this place , hence the long review. Anyways, thank you guys !!!! Fluffers is now part of the family, long journey ahead, but will be given a fighting chance

Scott

2 months ago

The staff was very kind and helpful. You pay for the initial exam regardless, but everything else is presented to you on an itemised estimate sheet, so you can see what’s recommended and what you’re going to pay before agreeing to anything. My dog needed x-rays, medication and observation, which totalled around $600. The extra care and playing with my dog was free. I can’t recommend the staff enough.

Luz T.

3 months ago

I would like to share our experience @ urgent 🐾 paws. We took are fur baby benji about 3 or 4 times to manage the excessive pain he was suffering ! Because of the care he received through out those visits we were able to enjoyed him 3 more weeks ! Our appreciation to Dr. Nguyen and all the team @urgently paws💙

Daniel S.

4 months ago

Urgent Paws took great care of my Akita!!! All the vet techs were very friendly and the vet was knowledgable and helped me understand my dog’s diagnosis and what caused his wounds. The prices are reasonable and i’ll be sure to return if anything happens to my dog again!

Tiffany S.

4 months ago

I had a wonderful experience while at UrgentPaws Cerritos. Upon arrival, Sabrina greeted me with such a warm smile and made me feel so at ease and welcomed. I took my dog in for coughing with Dr. Nguyen and she was so attentive to my little guy. She explained what she recommended for treatment and though he gets anxious, she was very patient with him and did a full exam to ensure his overall well-being was in good standing. Daisy went over the treatments and thoroughly explained what each service was meant for and provided a wonderful teaching aspect to the things I was uncertain about. Anyela assisted with my dog’s care in the treatment area and she was so kind and helpful. Being that I was anxiously waiting for the results, Lauren checked in to make sure I was comfortable and even made me laugh, which helped break up the overwhelming thoughts running through my mind, wondering if the diagnostic results would come out a certain way. Lastly, Jenny was so kind and reassuring during my check out. She ensured me everything would be okay and her calming aura put so much of my stress at ease; I’ll never forget it. I can’t thank each and every woman that assisted me during my time there. I also loved how well-kept the hospital was! Another young lady was dusting the hospital and it even encouraged me to buy a Swiffer later that week to dust my own room 😂 my little guy turned out to be just fine; he ultimately has an intermittent old-man cough that is now part of his personality as he continues to age and things change. Thank you so much, UrgentPaws Cerritos; for everything.

Jorge G.

4 months ago

I cannot thank Dr. Nguyen and Angela for the excellent care my doggie Vinny received this evening. They really went above and beyond for us staying after hours, explaining in great detail everything, and assisting in providing our sick dog his first dosages of medication before we left. They even gave him some food to take his antibiotics with. Thank you so much! Our family appreciates you!

Helga N.

4 months ago

UrgentPaws took such great care of my cat, Kitty, and I’m really grateful for the experience. From start to finish, the team was kind, compassionate, and easy to talk to, and they made sure I felt informed every step of the way. I also really appreciated how clearly they explained everything and focused on what Kitty truly needed. It’s such a relief to find a vet that treats both pets and pet parents with so much care. I can highly recommend Urgent Paws in Cerritos! Thank you!

blanca F.

4 months ago

This place was amazing I’m really bad with names but the girl who attended us was amazing so nice and very cute voice she has my baby bin. Was treated really good I highly recommend this place doctor was also very nice ❤️❤️

Kim C.

4 months ago

They were so kind and gentle with our dog. Jenny and the Dr. took the time needed to assess and treat our fur baby.

Ryan P.

5 months ago

Absolutely incredible care staff, a very special thank you to Tiffany and Dr. Li for giving my Ateba a once over in such a quick and professional manner, no appointment and yet was treated with nothing but respect and kindness from the door.

Melissa D.

5 months ago

What an incredible experience at UrgentPaws. Our cat, Archie, had been experiencing some symptoms that we were pretty worried about, and we decided to take him into UrgentPaws after a bad experience at VCA Lakewood. We were worried because Archie is not...the biggest fan of going to the vet, to put it lightly. From the moment we got there, we were welcomed in and reassured. The staff were SO friendly and really made us feel like they'd be able to work around his spicy attitude. Sabrina was great with him, trying to keep Archie calm at the outset. Victor also helped with showing my partner how to burrito wrap Archie, which really was the only way any initial exams were able to be done. The staff was very cognizant of stressing Archie out as little as possible while still being able to check his vitals and get treatment done. Dr. Nguyen was great with him, quick and efficient while still taking the time to explain every step of the process with us. The staff at UrgentPaws took what is ordinarily a very stressful situation for us since Archie is such a terror at the vet and made it as low-stress as possible. They made sure we were informed every step of the process and it was very clear how knowledgable they are as well as how much they care about the animals. They were upfront and honest about what treatments were needed, there were no hidden fees, and everything was communicated and explained. My partner and I were actually talking in the treatment room about how we wished UrgentPaws was more than an urgent care facility, because its just THAT good. Thank you so much to the staff - your patience with Archie didn't go unnoticed.

Karina T.

5 months ago

Special THANK YOU to Daisy, Tiffany, & Dr Lee! I cannot believe how KIND everyone at this practice is. Such amazing energy & compassion for all pets & for the owners. Explained everything with such clarity & transparency. Truly went the extra mile for us.

Cori W.

5 months ago

Losing our sweet Riley was one of the hardest things we’ve ever gone through, and trying to figure out what to do next made it even more overwhelming. We called several vets around Whittier, Montebello, and Pico Rivera, hoping to get a necropsy done, but kept hitting dead ends. No one really knew how to help or was willing to. Then we called Urgent Paws, and I’m so thankful we did. Even though they hadn’t dealt with something like this before, they didn’t brush us off, they really tried. They went out of their way to make calls, find answers, and help us get the testing we were looking for. More than anything, they were just… kind. Gentle, patient, and understanding during a moment when we really needed that. It didn’t feel transactional at all they genuinely cared. They went above and beyond to send us a condolences card with handwritten notes from staff that cared for us that evening and that spoke volumes. I’ll always be grateful they were the ones who picked up the phone that day.

Kate

5 months ago

We recently lost our Summer girl (15) and I cannot say enough nice things about UrgentPaws. It was a late week night and no where was open to accepting us. As we were on the freeway, frantically searching google, we found them. I called told them what was happening and our plan, they told me to come right in. We were greeted with so much care and were given all the time we needed. The thoughtfulness of having an extra cozy room was the next best thing to being at home. The staff and care we received was like no other. I wish we would have found this place earlier. 11/10. Honestly the best care and love we have received.

Gabs

5 months ago

Best urgent vet service out there! Kind, transparent with pricing, professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to save my spot?

No – walk-ins are always welcome. Save My Spot lets you pick an arrival time online, so we know you are coming and can be ready for your pet. We assess every pet on arrival and see the most critical patients first, so timing can shift if a sicker pet comes in.

Is UrgentPaws Cerritos an emergency vet?

We are an after hours veterinary urgent care and treat emergencies that are not life-threatening. This includes vomiting, limping, cuts, ear and eye trouble, skin, urinary problems, and more. For life-threatening emergencies, contact your nearest 24-hour ER.

Can I stay with my pet?

Yes! Our clinic is open to you, including the treatment room. We want you to be as involved in the visit as you would like. In most instances, we find our patients do much better when they are next to their owners. In rare cases, you pet may be better on their own (e.g. they are trying to protect you) and we may ask you to give them some space to ensure they receive the best possible care. In these situations, we will communicate everything to you beforehand.

Do I have to go inside the treatment room?

No – we give our owners the option to come with us into the treatment room or remain in one of our private exam rooms – the choice is yours.

Do you take pet insurance or offer financing?

Yes – we make it easy to pay for the care your pet needs. We accept all major pet insurance plans on a reimbursement basis: you pay at the time of visit, and we’ll provide an itemized invoice and any medical records your insurer needs to process your claim.

We also offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry. Both let you apply in minutes from your phone right in our clinic, so you can find out what you qualify for before treatment begins.

Can you run tests and X-rays on site?

Yes – we run bloodwork, urine and fecal testing, X-rays and ultrasound in the clinic, and we give fluids, injections, wound care and medications on the spot, so most problems are diagnosed and treated in one visit.

What pets do you treat?

We treat dogs and cats. Some of our veterinarians also see exotics such as rabbits, snakes, turtles and lizards. Call us at (562) 625-8478 first and we will confirm that the vet on shift can treat your pet.

When are you open?

Monday to Friday, 3 PM to 11 PM. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 10 AM to 8 PM. We are open 365 days a year.

Holiday hours apply on the holiday itself, not on the observed weekday. We keep holiday hours on:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (July 4th)
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas
  • New Year’s Eve
How do I get there?

We are at 11541 South St, Cerritos, CA 90703.

In the South Street shopping center, next to Target. Park on the south side of the lot.

How should I prepare for my visit?

Use Save My Spot, keep your pet calm and warm, and note when the symptoms started and what has changed. Bring any medications your pet takes, prior records if they are handy, and a stool or vomit sample if that is the problem. Please don’t give human medication; many common ones are dangerous for pets.

What can I expect after my visit?

After your visit, you’ll leave with a written care plan and your regular vet will get a treatment summary.

After treatment, we’ll:

  • Provide a clear care plan and recovery tips
  • Answer your questions and help manage follow-up needs
  • Send a complete medical summary to you and your regular vet to maintain continuity of care

Serving pets across Cerritos and nearby

Our Cerritos clinic is on South Street between the 91 and the 605 freeways, where southeast Los Angeles County meets northern Orange County. Most pet parents reach us in 10 to 25 minutes: from Norwalk, Artesia, Lakewood and Bellflower next door, from Downey, South Gate, Whittier and Pico Rivera down the 605 and the 5, from Long Beach up the 605, and from Cypress and Buena Park across the county line on the 91.

  • Cerritos
  • Norwalk
  • Downey
  • Lakewood
  • Long Beach
  • Whittier
  • Bellflower
  • Cypress
  • Buena Park
  • South Gate
  • Artesia
  • Pico Rivera
  • and many more

Other UrgentPaws clinics