Balanced Pet NW

4.3 (96)
25297 Big Valley Rd NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370, USA

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Balanced Pet NW

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 891
4.5 ASPCA 11,785
4.9 Embrace 17,324
4.9 Fetch 22,769
4.2 Figo 2,605
4.7 Hartville 165
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,012
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,346
4.0 MetLife 659
4.8 Nationwide 21,407
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 113
4.3 Pets Best 12,259
4.6 Pumpkin 1,477
4.6 Spot 7,090
4.9 Trupanion 76,782
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

hand swipe
Lynette Ackman

We adore Balanced Pet NW. Dr Watson is amazing, so knowledgeable. Both our dog and cat get outstanding care. From the cat: I agree with my human. I particularly like the acupuncture and massage services. (I believe they call the massages by another name. Whatever. They are massages.). I would warn other patients that nothing good happens in the back. Prepare yourself if they take you to the back. From the dog: I agree with human and cat. Among other services, I once got a pretty epic nipple piercing. Nothing good happens in the back. I once tried to file a complaint with Dr Watson as I was poked in the butt while in the back. Dr. Watson says taking a treat implies consent to this. So be warned of going in the back, especially if you take a treat.

posted: 10/07/2024

Michelle B.

We started bringing our sweet dog Kazzy to Balanced Pet over a year ago when it was still called Big Valley Vet. Without a doubt Dr. Watson is the best veterinarian we have ever found for our girl. For starters Kazzy absolutely loves going. Her tail wags, she doesn't shake, and she loves Dr Watson! Dr Watson talks to Kazzy and greets her like she's the most important one in the room! The exam rooms are set up to make the dog feel as comfortable as possible with comfy mats on the floor instead of a big scary metal table. I love the holistic approach that Dr Watson takes. She combines the best of Western medicine with alternative practices and philosophies. Just what I have been looking for for Kazzy for years!! So relieved we finally found her! She is thorough, patient, personable and very knowledgeable. Would not take Kazzy anywhere else!

posted: 10/17/2024

Janine Hanson

My pets receive wonderful care from Dr. Watson and her entire team. They are knowledgeable, caring, and carefully listen to not only what I tell them but using careful observation of and interaction with my pets. From the thoughtful low lighting in the exam room to the down-on-the-floor at pet level examination, their aim is to keep my pets feeling comfortable and safe while checking and diagnosing them. And on top of that the holistic approach makes me feel confident they are getting the best options for their care!

posted: 10/10/2024

carrie stamper

I give 5 Solid Stars to Dr. Shelby and her caring manner with our cherished Australian Shepherd. Dr. Shelby is easygoing, informative and helpful when it comes to vaccinations and other health concerns with our beloved dog. We have been going to Big Valley Vet for many years and have been very happy with their care, especially Dr. Shelby. Recently they have gone through an overhaul with their appointment technology and have moved everything to a new app system which seems to work pretty well and their name is now "Balanced Pet NW." The approach is to engage both traditional and more holistic methods to treat pets from all angles. I appreciate that, and will stay open to all different sorts of treatments when they're needed. Having said that the prices have gone up quite a bit since I visited last year, but I think it's on par with other veterinary services in the area, and I want to go to an independently owned (not corporate) vet and am willing to pay for that. Supporting independent veterinarians is important to me in our community, and it's very difficult for vets to compete with massive corporations.

posted: 02/21/2024

Diana Junco

Balanced Pet NW is the top pick veterinary practice in the area!!! I was visiting from out of town and in search for an Intergrative Veterinarian for my pup to establish care while on travel. I also wanted acupuncture treatments for him. We came to the right place! Dr. Watson is very knowledgeable and caring! She came in and sat down on the floor and made my pup feel as comfortable as he could get. She listened and provided a wealth of knowledge and advice. For those who don't know what an INTERGRATIVE veterinarian is: it is a veterinarian focused on 'preventative' care and one who treats the root cause of a problem, not just treating the symptoms. They also focus on a more natural/holistic way of care before treating with medications (as necessary) that may have detrimental or long term side effects. From the moment you enter the clinic, it is impressive to see the high quality products on display! I didn't see any ultra-processed foods, like you see in most other clinics. They only carry the best of the best! If you live near this clinic, consider yourself lucky!!! I live in Virginia and we do not have Intergrative veterinarians in my area. I recommend Balanced Pet NW to anyone that has a pet with an issue that has been difficult to resolve or anyone with a healthy pet, who wants to ensure they stay healthy. Whenever I am back in the area this will be my 'go to' veterinarian! Dr. Watson has gone above and beyond in answering all my questions and keeping in touch while researching other questions I had for her. She is amazing! But I cannot end this review without commenting on her staff! Kayla at the front desk is super nice, professional, and very helpful. The entire staff is top notch!

posted: 09/23/2024