🐾 What Do Vets Wear? The Ultimate Veterinary Scrubs Guide
🐾 What Do Vets Wear? The Ultimate Veterinary Scrubs Guide
Veterinarians and vet nurses work in one of the most physically demanding and unpredictable areas of healthcare. From wellness consults to emergency surgeries, your uniform needs to keep up with constant movement, animal handling, long shifts and messy situations.
At Infectious Clothing Company, we’ve supplied veterinary teams across Australia for more than 20 years — so we know exactly what makes a great veterinary uniform. This guide breaks down what vets wear, the features you should look for, and the top scrub brands chosen by clinics nationwide.
Why Vets and Vet Nurses Choose Scrubs
While some veterinary environments allow casual clothing or semi-formal attire, the overwhelming majority of clinics choose scrubs as their everyday uniform. Here’s why:
- Comfort for constant movement — bending, lifting, crouching and handling unpredictable animals.
- Easy-care fabrics — quick to wash, quick to dry, and resistant to stains and odours.
- Hygiene & infection control — essential in both general practice and specialist hospitals.
- Professional clinic appearance — especially important for client trust.
- Durability & longevity — vet uniforms must withstand hair, claws, liquids and chemicals.
Let’s explore what vets typically wear, and which scrubs are best suited to the job.
1. Scrubs That Move With You
Veterinary work is fast-paced and physical. Your scrubs should feel like an extension of your body — not a restriction.
Look for:
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Lightweight performance blends
- Flexible waistbands and side vents
- Moisture-wicking to stay cool in hot clinics
Top pick for vet teams: Wink Boundless and W123 — both designed to stretch and move with you while resisting fur and lint.
2. Fabric Durability for Heavy Use
Veterinary scrubs face a LOT of wear: animal hair, disinfectant chemicals, constant washing, long shifts and sudden messes. That’s why durability is critical.
Choose fabrics with:
- Polyester–spandex blends for strength + stretch
- Fade resistance after repeated washing
- Quick-dry, breathable fibres
- Hair-resistant finishes
Clinic favourite: Dickies scrubs — built for tough work environments and long-lasting performance.
3. Storage: Pockets, Pockets… and More Pockets
Between treats, scissors, syringes, pens, gloves and thermometers, vet professionals always have tools in hand. The right scrubs make carrying essentials easy.
Look for:
- Multiple chest and side pockets
- Cargo pants with secure storage
- Utility loops and ID tabs
More storage = fewer trips back and forth = smoother consults.
4. Quick-Dry, Easy-Care Performance
When your workday involves fur, fluids, baths, bandaging or surgical prep, you need scrubs that can keep up without holding stains or odours.
Best features for vet nursing and clinical work:
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Moisture-wicking
- Fast-drying
- Stain-resistant finishes
These performance fabrics help scrubs stay fresh and professional — even through messy shifts.
5. Clinic-Approved Colours
Most veterinary clinics in Australia choose dark, professional shades:
- Navy
- Black
- Teal
- Charcoal
Dark colours hide fur, paw prints and minor stains, helping you stay neat throughout the day.
Shop colour-consistent uniforms:
Cherokee • Dickies • Wink
6. Embroidery for a Professional Finish
Branded uniforms help clients quickly identify your team and create a polished, cohesive clinic look.
Our in-house embroidery service lets you add:
- Clinic logo
- Staff name
- Role title (Vet, Vet Nurse, Reception, Specialist, etc.)
Designed for comfort, durability and professional presentation.
What Vets Wear in Different Veterinary Settings
General Practice Clinics
Most vets and nurses wear lightweight scrubs with dark colours for a clean, consistent appearance.
Specialist & Surgical Centres
Dedicated surgical scrubs, lab coats and PPE are common. These scrubs are often colour-coded by role.
Emergency and Critical Care
Lightweight, moisture-wicking scrubs help staff stay cool during high-movement, high-stress situations.
Farm, Equine & Rural Work
Large-animal vets often require coveralls, boots, scratch-resistant layers and weather-appropriate clothing.
FAQs
Do vets have to wear scrubs?
Most clinics require scrubs for hygiene, comfort and safety reasons — especially for hands-on work.
What’s the best scrub fabric for vets?
Poly-spandex blends with moisture-wicking and quick-dry properties are ideal.
Can vet scrubs be embroidered?
Yes, and most clinics choose to add branding for a professional, unified look.
Which brands are most popular with vet nurses?
Wink, Cherokee and Dickies.
What colours do vet clinics prefer?
Navy, black, charcoal and teal — they look professional and hide fur or stains easily.
For an in-depth comparison of features, fits and the scrub brands best suited to vet clinics, check out our long-form educational guide:
Read: What Do Vets Wear? (Pillar Guide) →
