Not all veterinary professionals work in the same way, so it makes sense that not all veterinary scrubs should be the same.
A veterinary nurse spending the day moving between consult rooms, kennels and treatment areas has very different requirements to a surgeon performing procedures or a receptionist supporting both front-of-house and clinical duties.
Today’s veterinary scrubs are available in a wide range of styles, fabrics and fits, helping professionals choose workwear that suits both their role and their working environment.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of vet scrubs available and explain which styles work best for each role within a modern veterinary practice.
Why Veterinary Professionals Need Specialist Scrubs
Veterinary environments can be demanding.
Unlike many healthcare settings, veterinary teams often deal with:
- Constant movement throughout the day
- Lifting and handling animals
- Frequent kneeling and bending
- Exposure to fur, hair and dirt
- Repeated laundering
- Long shifts and emergency call-outs
Because of this, veterinary scrubs need to balance comfort, durability and practicality while still maintaining a professional appearance.
The best veterinary scrubs help professionals move freely, remain comfortable throughout the day and withstand regular washing without losing shape or colour.
Traditional V-Neck Veterinary Scrubs
Traditional V-neck scrub tops remain one of the most popular choices in veterinary settings.
They offer a simple, professional appearance and are often chosen for their practicality and value.
Best For
- Veterinary students
- General practice teams
- Everyday clinical work
- Practices purchasing uniforms in larger quantities
Benefits
- Easy to wear
- Affordable
- Professional appearance
- Available in a wide range of colours
Many classic collections from Dickies, Cherokee and Galaxy continue to use the traditional V-neck design because it remains a proven and versatile option.
Stretch Veterinary Scrubs
For many veterinary professionals, stretch fabrics have become a game changer.
Modern stretch scrubs are designed to move with the wearer rather than restrict movement, making them particularly useful in active clinical environments.
Best For
- Veterinary surgeons
- Emergency teams
- Referral hospitals
- Busy veterinary nurses
Benefits
- Improved mobility
- Greater comfort during long shifts
- Reduced restriction while lifting or handling animals
- Better overall fit
Popular stretch collections include Dickies Xtreme Stretch, Cherokee Revolution, Healing Hands 360 and Galaxy Stretch.
Jogger Veterinary Scrubs
Jogger scrubs have become increasingly popular across healthcare and veterinary professions.
Combining comfort with a contemporary appearance, jogger trousers feature cuffed ankles and a modern silhouette.
Best For
- Younger veterinary professionals
- Referral centres
- Fast-paced practices
- Teams looking for a modern uniform style
Benefits
- Contemporary appearance
- Comfortable fit
- Improved movement
- Secure fit around footwear
Many Veterinary Nurses particularly appreciate jogger styles for their practicality during busy shifts.
Women’s Veterinary Scrubs
Women’s veterinary scrubs have evolved significantly over the last decade.
Rather than relying solely on unisex fits, many brands now offer tailored designs with improved shaping and stretch fabrics.
Popular features include:
- Mock-wrap scrub tops
- Stretch side panels
- Jogger trousers
- Contemporary tailored fits
- Multiple pocket configurations
These styles provide a professional appearance while maintaining comfort throughout demanding clinical work.
Men’s Veterinary Scrubs
Men’s veterinary scrubs are increasingly available in dedicated fits designed specifically for movement and practicality.
Common Features
- Relaxed fit scrub tops
- Stretch fabrics
- Cargo-style pockets
- Jogger options
- Longer body lengths
For many veterinary surgeons and nurses, a comfortable fit combined with practical storage is often the deciding factor when choosing a scrub collection.
Veterinary Nurse Scrubs: What Works Best?
Veterinary nurses are often among the most active members of a practice team.
A typical shift may involve:
- Patient preparation
- Consultation support
- Theatre assistance
- Recovery monitoring
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Animal handling
As a result, veterinary nurse scrubs should prioritise comfort and flexibility.
Recommended Styles
Stretch Scrubs
Ideal for unrestricted movement throughout the day.
Jogger Scrubs
Popular for their comfort and practicality.
Multi-Pocket Scrubs
Useful for carrying essential equipment.
Recommended Collections
- Cherokee Revolution
- Dickies Xtreme Stretch
- Skechers Scrubs
- Galaxy Stretch
Veterinary Surgeon Scrubs: What Works Best?
Veterinary surgeons often spend long periods standing and performing procedures, making comfort a key consideration.
Recommended Features
- Lightweight fabrics
- Stretch materials
- Moisture management
- Professional appearance
- Easy-care laundering
Recommended Collections
Dickies Xtreme Stretch
A popular choice for flexibility and durability.
Healing Hands 360
Premium comfort with modern styling.
Cherokee Revolution
Combines stretch performance with practicality.
Skechers Structure
A contemporary option offering lightweight comfort.
Choosing Veterinary Scrubs Based on Your Practice Type
Small Animal Practice
Comfortable stretch scrubs with multiple pockets tend to work best.
Mixed Practice
Durable fabrics capable of standing up to varied working environments are often preferred.
Referral Hospital
Professional, premium collections are often chosen to reflect the specialist nature of the practice.
24-Hour Emergency Hospital
Stretch scrubs and jogger styles are popular for maximum mobility and comfort during long shifts.
FAQs: Vet Scrubs – Your Questions Answered
Veterinary scrubs are professional uniforms worn by veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and support staff. They are designed to provide comfort, durability, hygiene and freedom of movement in clinical environments.
AWB Recommends: Why Comfort and Movement Matter Most in Veterinary Practice
At AWB, we’ve supplied uniforms to veterinary professionals for many years, and we’ve noticed an interesting pattern.
Most people begin their search by comparing colours, brands or price points.
After wearing scrubs day after day, what matters most usually becomes much simpler.
The veterinary professionals who are happiest with their uniforms tend to prioritise comfort, movement and durability above everything else.
Veterinary Work Is Constantly Active
Unlike many professions, working in veterinary practice often means you’re never standing still for long.
You might be:
- Moving between consult rooms
- Assisting procedures
- Handling animals
- Lifting equipment
- Supporting recovery areas
This level of activity quickly highlights the difference between scrubs that simply look good and scrubs that genuinely perform.
Stretch Makes a Bigger Difference Than Most People Expect
One of the most common comments we hear from veterinary professionals is how much difference stretch fabrics make throughout a shift.
Modern stretch scrubs help support:
- Reaching
- Bending
- Lifting
- Kneeling
- Animal handling
Many professionals who switch to stretch collections rarely return to traditional rigid fabrics.
Durability Matters in Veterinary Settings
Veterinary uniforms face unique challenges.
Regular washing, contact with animals and the demands of clinical environments put significant pressure on fabrics.
The most successful scrub collections are typically those that continue looking professional after repeated wear and laundering.
Practicality Usually Wins
Fashion and styling are important, but practicality almost always becomes the deciding factor.
Features such as:
- Well-positioned pockets
- Comfortable waistbands
- Reliable sizing
- Easy-care fabrics
often have a greater impact on day-to-day satisfaction than colour or trend-led details.
Our Recommendation
If you’re choosing veterinary scrubs for the first time, or replacing an existing uniform, focus on three priorities:
- Comfort across a full working day
- Freedom of movement
- Long-term durability
Once those needs are covered, selecting the right colour, fit and style becomes much easier.
The Bottom Line
The best veterinary scrubs are the ones that allow you to focus entirely on your patients rather than your uniform.
When comfort, flexibility and durability work together, scrubs become a reliable tool you can depend on every shift.
Browse the full Veterinary Scrubs range at AWB to find the right fit, style and collection for your role.
