Upper Kirby’s mix of urban living and residential streets means plenty of pets — and plenty of pet owners looking for a veterinarian they can trust. Rice Village Animal Hospital is located just south of Upper Kirby at 2348 Rice Blvd, a short drive down Kirby Drive, and has been serving this part of Houston since 1976.

AAHA-Accredited Vet Serving Upper Kirby

We are an AAHA-accredited veterinary clinic, a distinction held by fewer than 15% of US vet practices. Our accreditation means independent evaluators have verified we meet more than 900 standards of care. Our team includes a bilingual Spanish-speaking veterinarian, and we have earned more than 200 five-star reviews from Upper Kirby and Houston clients.

We provide full-service care for dogs and cats — wellness visits, dental, surgery, diagnostics, and grooming — all under one roof. Our experienced veterinarians focus on preventive medicine and take time to explain findings and options so you can make informed decisions for your pet.

Services for Upper Kirby Pets

Visit Us

2348 Rice Blvd, Houston TX 77005 — open Monday through Friday. Call (713) 527-0489 or book an appointment online.

Why Upper Kirby Pet Owners Choose Rice Village Animal Hospital

Upper Kirby runs along Kirby Drive from US-59 up to West Alabama — a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood with a high density of apartments and a lot of city dogs. It’s a quick drive west on Bissonnet or south on Kirby to our clinic at 2348 Rice Blvd, and we see Upper Kirby clients regularly, especially people who have moved into the area from out of state and are establishing care for their pets for the first time in Houston.

We’re AAHA accredited, which places us in the top 15% of veterinary practices in the US. The accreditation is awarded by the American Animal Hospital Association after an on-site evaluation of more than 900 standards — covering anesthesia safety, surgical protocols, diagnostic equipment and procedures, pain management, and how we handle client communication and follow-up. It’s re-evaluated on a schedule, not awarded once and forgotten. For Upper Kirby residents used to researching credentials before choosing any professional, it’s the right place to start.

We’ve been at 2348 Rice Blvd since 1976. We have a bilingual Spanish-speaking vet on staff, and more than 200 five-star reviews across Google and other platforms.

City Dogs and Apartment Cats: What We See Most

Upper Kirby has a particular mix of pets. Dogs tend to be medium-to-large breeds that need consistent exercise — labs, goldens, shepherds, doodles — living in apartments or townhomes where their owners are actively working to meet their exercise needs. Cats in the neighborhood are almost always indoor-only, which changes their health profile: lower parasite exposure, but higher rates of obesity, dental disease, and stress-related urinary issues.

We counsel Upper Kirby dog owners on heat safety during Houston summers, heartworm prevention (which is not optional here — the mosquito season is essentially year-round), and joint health for larger breeds as they age. For apartment dogs, we also talk about enrichment and how behavioral issues often signal an unmet physical or cognitive need.

For cats, we recommend dental evaluations starting around age three, and we’re attentive to the signs of hyperthyroidism and kidney disease that tend to emerge in cats over eight. Our in-house lab runs same-visit bloodwork, so you don’t leave with questions.