How do veterinarians dress? Uniform according to clinic, surgery, and field work

Oct 29, 2025 Equipo Jelrisofit Profession Guide
¿Cómo se Visten los Veterinarios para Cada Tipo de Trabajo?
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A veterinarian's attire changes depending on the type of work they perform. The clothing required for someone who spends most of the day treating dogs and cats in a clinic is not the same as for someone performing surgery, visiting patients at home, or working with horses and livestock.

The location, animal species, and task performed also modify the risks of veterinary work. NIOSH indicates that these professionals may be exposed to different physical, biological, and chemical hazards depending precisely on the environment, the animals, and the activities they perform. CDC/NIOSH

Therefore, scrubs can function as basic clinical attire in many environments, but there isn't a single uniform that addresses all situations. When the procedure changes or the risk of exposure increases, the garments and equipment needed may also change.

Do all veterinarians wear the same uniform?

No. Although scrubs are common in veterinary medicine, not all professionals need to dress exactly the same.

The choice may depend on:

  • Whether working in a clinic or outside of it.
  • The size and species of animals treated.
  • Whether consultations, procedures, surgery, or fieldwork are performed.
  • The possibility of contact with fluids or contaminated materials.
  • Soil and weather conditions.
  • The internal policies of the clinic, hospital, or institution.

A companion animal veterinarian might spend much of their day in scrubs and work footwear, while a professional visiting a farm may need clothing and footwear adapted to an outdoor environment.

The main idea is simple: clothing should adapt to the job, not the other way around.

What to wear in a veterinary consultation and small animal clinic

In a clinic where mainly dogs, cats, and other companion animals are treated, scrubs are one of the most common workwear options.

A basic set usually consists of:

During a consultation, the veterinarian may need to squat, sit on the floor, lean over an examination table, lift a small animal, or quickly change position.

Therefore, a uniform that is too tight can be uncomfortable in the shoulders, back, hips, or legs. At the same time, an excessively loose garment can get in the way if it's too baggy around the hands, legs, or nearby objects.

Pockets can also be useful for organizing small items such as a pen, notepad, ID, or certain instruments allowed by the clinic. However, it's not always necessary to choose the model with the most pockets.

In this scenario, the important thing is that the scrubs are compatible with daily activities and the establishment's dress code.

It's also advisable to avoid a common misconception: scrubs should not be considered protection against bites, scratches, or blows from animals. NIOSH precisely identifies bites, scratches, kicks, and crushing injuries among the risks associated with animal contact and emphasizes appropriate handling and restraint techniques. Veterinary Hazards — NIOSH

What veterinarians wear during surgery

In surgery, attire needs to integrate with the aseptic measures established by the clinic.

Scrubs can be part of the surgical team's basic clothing, but the scrub top and pants set alone does not represent all the preparation needed to participate in a sterile procedure.

Basic uniform for the surgical area

The clinic may establish specific scrubs for individuals entering the surgical area and define where they should be worn, what footwear is permitted, and what garments can be used in that area.

As a technical reference for veterinary teams, AAHA includes aspects such as personal hygiene, staff scrubs, and specific surgical area attire as part of surgical preparation. AAHA

When participating in a sterile technique

Preparation changes when a person directly participates in a sterile part of the procedure.

Depending on the protocol and the role performed, elements such as:

  • Hair covering.
  • Mask, when appropriate to the protocol.
  • Sterile surgical gown.
  • Sterile gloves.
  • Eye protection or other necessary items.

AAHA expressly separates staff base clothing from other steps such as surgical hand preparation, donning a sterile gown, and using sterile gloves. Surgical Team Preparation

Therefore, it is not correct to simply choose a product advertised as "fluid-resistant surgical scrubs" and assume that it replaces all other necessary measures for a procedure.

What to wear when there is a risk of liquids, contamination, or infection

During veterinary work, there are situations where the likelihood of clothing, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes coming into contact with potentially contaminated fluids or materials increases.

This can occur, for example, during:

  • Certain dental procedures.
  • Obstetrical procedures.
  • Care of animals with diarrhea.
  • Management of certain skin or respiratory infections.
  • Handling of samples or contaminated clothing.
  • Procedures with potential for splashes.

In these situations, the question shouldn't just be "What scrubs should I buy?".

Additional protection is selected based on the task and the expected type of exposure. AAHA's infection control guidelines consider, depending on the scenario, the use of items such as gloves, gowns or dedicated outer garments, eye protection, and face protection. AAHA Infection Control

For example, AAHA notes that procedures such as dentistry, obstetrics, or situations with exposure to potentially infectious liquids may require additional clothing protection, and when there is a risk of splashes or aerosols, eye and face protection. Control Measures — AAHA

This allows for an important distinction:

  • Scrubs can be part of regular work attire.
  • Additional protection is defined according to the procedure, suspected agent, and route of exposure.

A fabric with a certain composition or a commercial finish should not be used as the sole criterion for deciding whether there is sufficient protection.

What to wear during a home veterinary visit

A veterinarian who treats dogs and cats at home may still wear scrubs or the work clothes defined by their clinic, but the environment differs from a conventional consultation.

During a visit, it may be necessary to:

  • Transport materials from the vehicle.
  • Go up and down stairs.
  • Perform an examination on the floor.
  • Move in smaller spaces.
  • Enter several homes during the same day.

In this scenario, a uniform with sufficient mobility and well-placed pockets can be practical.

It can also be useful to have spare clothing when the planned activity could significantly soil or contaminate the clothes worn during the day.

Additional measures will depend on what will be done at home. A general consultation does not necessarily require the same preparation as a visit to a patient with diarrhea, secretions, or suspected transmissible disease.

Therefore, "home veterinarian" does not itself constitute a special type of scrub. What changes are the environment and the tasks that need to be performed.

What to wear with large animals, on farms, or during field work

Working with horses, livestock, and other large animals presents different conditions than a small animal consultation.

The veterinarian may work:

  • In stables.
  • In corrals.
  • On wet or muddy terrain.
  • Outdoors.
  • Near machinery or agricultural facilities.
  • In hot, cold, or sunny conditions.

NIOSH notes that hazards for those working in veterinary medicine depend on the location, species, and task, and that those working outdoors may also be exposed to heat, cold, sun, and other environmental risks. CDC/NIOSH

In these situations, it may be more appropriate to wear durable work clothes, work pants, outer garments, or coveralls when the activity warrants it.

Footwear also deserves special attention. Depending on the ground and the type of animal, boots or work shoes with features suitable for the surface and present risks may be needed.

When there is a possibility of blows, kicks, trampling, or crushing, safety should not rely on wearing thicker scrubs.

NIOSH precisely identifies kicks and crushing injuries among the hazards related to animal contact and recommends measures such as appropriate animal handling and restraint techniques adapted to the species. Injury Prevention

Therefore, a commercial garment described as "resistant" should not be presented as protection against a kick, bite, or crushing injury.

What to wear in isolation areas or with infectious patients

When an animal requires isolation due to a known or suspected infection, the attire must follow the clinic's infection control protocol.

In these cases, the usual scrubs may only be the base layer. Depending on the suspected agent and its mode of transmission, the following may be added:

  • Gloves.
  • Gown or dedicated outer garment.
  • Footwear protection when appropriate.
  • Mask or respirator when the risk requires it.
  • Eye protection in certain situations.

AAHA recommends that protective measures be adapted to the type of disease and its mode of transmission, in addition to controlling staff access to patients with known or suspected infectious diseases. Veterinary Biosecurity — AAHA

The method of removing these garments also matters. AAHA maintains a specific sequence for donning and doffing protective elements to reduce the possibility of contaminating clothing, skin, or hands during the process. Donning and Doffing PPE

Therefore, an isolation case should not be resolved simply by changing colors or buying scrubs advertised as "antibacterial." The important thing is to follow the defined protocol for the specific risk.

What to wear in teaching, training, or non-clinical work

Not all of a veterinarian's work involves direct contact with animals.

In activities such as:

  • Classes.
  • Training sessions.
  • Meetings.
  • Presentations.
  • Administrative work.
  • Communication with clients outside of a clinical consultation.

attire can be more flexible.

Depending on the institution, scrubs, a clinical coat, professional attire, or the dress code defined by the workplace may be used.

It is not necessary to assume that a white coat always conveys greater authority or that a veterinarian wearing scrubs looks less professional. In these types of activities, clothing should primarily respond to the context, the dress code, and whether the person will subsequently need to enter a clinical area.

What veterinary attire corresponds to each work environment

The following comparison summarizes the main differences. It does not replace the protocols of each clinic, but it helps to understand why the same clothing does not necessarily serve for all tasks.

Environment
Base Attire
What Can Be Added
What Determines the Choice
Small Animal Consultation
Scrubs or clinic-established uniform.
Additional protection depending on the procedure.
Movement, daily tasks, and clinic rules.
Surgery
Scrubs established for the surgical area.
Hair covering, sterile gown and gloves, or other items depending on the role.
Sterile technique and surgical protocol.
Procedures involving liquids or contamination
Clinical workwear.
Gloves, outer gown, eye or face protection as per risk.
Type of procedure and anticipated exposure.
House calls
Scrubs or work uniform.
Additional garments depending on the activity performed.
Mobility, material transport, and type of consultation.
Large animals and field work
Workwear suitable for the environment.
Overalls, outer garments, or specific footwear when necessary.
Animal, terrain, weather, and activity performed.
Isolation
Base uniform defined by the clinic.
Additional protection according to the agent and transmission route.
Isolation and infection control protocol.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to the question of what veterinarians wear, because veterinary medicine encompasses very different jobs.

In a small animal practice, scrubs can function as a basic uniform due to their ease of adaptation to daily activities. In surgery, this basic attire must be integrated with asepsis procedures and the garments necessary for performing sterile techniques.

When there is a risk of contact with liquids, contaminated material, or infectious agents, the answer is not simply to use "more resistant" scrubs. Additional protection must be chosen according to the procedure and the type of exposure.

House calls also require mobility and organization, while working with horses, livestock, or large animals may require clothing, footwear, and measures adapted to outdoor conditions and very different physical risks.

Similarly, isolation cases require following the infection control protocol established by the clinic and using the appropriate additional garments.

Ultimately, the best veterinary attire is that which corresponds to the environment, the animal, the task, and the rules of the workplace. Scrubs are a useful tool in many clinical scenarios, but they do not replace the safety, asepsis, or protection measures that a specific activity may require.

Sources consulted

  • Hazards to Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care Workers — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / NIOSH
  • Veterinary Safety and Health Hazard Prevention and Control — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / NIOSH
  • Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines — American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
  • What Kind of PPE Should I Wear? — American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
  • Surgery – Preparation of Team Members — American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
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In other words, a 3-piece surgical uniform for women isn't just about looking good, but about feeling comfortable, prepared, and professional throughout the day. When you work long hours, your uniform can't just be pretty It's normal that when buying a medical uniform, the first thing that catches your eye is the color, cut, or style. But when a garment is worn for long shifts, comfort becomes as important or more important than appearance. A woman who works standing, walks constantly, attends to patients, bends over, carries objects, or spends several hours in the same space needs a uniform that doesn't restrict her movements. The fabric should not feel stiff, heavy, or uncomfortable. The pants should not pinch when walking or sitting. The scrub top should not feel rough or lose its shape after a few hours. A good medical uniform should keep pace with the actual demands of the job. 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