Best Blood Collection Tubes for Veterinary Blood Collection (2026)

We selected and ranked veterinary vacutainer-style tubes by additive type (heparin, gel), volume (5 mL vs 10 mL), material (PET), user ratings, and per-pack value

Top Picks

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Buying Guide

Choose the right additive

Select tubes with additives matched to your tests — heparin for plasma chemistry, gel tubes for serum separation — to avoid sample rejection or repeat draws

Match tube volume to patient size

Use 5 mL tubes for most small to medium companion animals and 10 mL tubes for larger patients to minimize blood waste and hemolysis risk

Consider tube material and durability

PET tubes resist breakage during transport better than glass and are commonly offered in veterinary-specific vacutainer formats

Check compatibility with existing holders

Confirm tube dimensions and cap style match your phlebotomy holders and centrifuge adaptors to prevent handling issues in busy clinics

Assess pack size and unit cost

Buying in 100-piece packs is typical for clinics; evaluate per-tube cost relative to expected usage to balance storage and budget