Following a comprehensive market investigation, the watchdog concluded that the current system is leaving pet owners in the dark, leading to weak competition and inflated costs. With an estimated 60% of UK households owning a pet, the new regulations are designed to help consumers make more informed decisions about their animals' care and ensure the £6.7 billion sector remains competitive.
What are the key proposals announced?
The CMA's final report outlines a package of measures that will transform how veterinary practices operate across the UK. The core changes include:
- Comprehensive price lists: Vet practices will be required to publish clear, accessible price lists for standard services, including consultations, diagnostics, cremation options, and common procedures.
- Prescription fee caps: Currently, many practices charge £30 or more for written prescriptions. Under the new rules, these fees will be strictly capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medicines.
- Clear ownership branding: It will be mandatory for veterinary businesses to clearly display whether they are part of a larger corporate group or an independent practice. This information must be prominent on signage, at the premises, and online.
- Written estimates for expensive treatments: Practices must provide a written estimate and an itemised bill in advance for any non-emergency treatment expected to cost £500 or more, including aftercare costs.
- Communal cremation options: Vets will be required to provide upfront prices for all cremation options, including any add-ons, and must offer a lower-cost communal cremation service.
Why is the CMA making these changes?
The investigation revealed significant shortcomings in how pricing and ownership information is shared with the public. The CMA found that less than 40% of practices display prices on their websites, and fewer than half of pet owners using a large veterinary group were aware their practice was part of a corporate chain.
Furthermore, over 70% of pet owners currently purchase long-term medication directly from their vet, despite the potential to save £200 a year or more by buying online. The new rules will mandate that vets explicitly inform owners of their right to a written prescription to source cheaper alternatives.
Martin Coleman, Chair of the independent Inquiry Group, stated: "Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds. Our measures mean it will be made clear to pet owners which practices are part of large groups, which are charging higher prices, and for the first time, vet businesses will be held to account by an independent regulator."
How will this affect you?
For UK pet owners, the reforms promise greater choice and the potential for significant financial savings when managing veterinary bills.
- Easier price comparison: A new 'Find a Vet' service run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will share price and ownership data with third-party comparison sites, allowing you to easily shop around for the best value in your local area.
- Better value on medication: With strictly capped prescription fees and a requirement for vets to inform you about buying medication online, managing long-term conditions could become noticeably cheaper.
- No surprise bills: The introduction of mandatory written estimates for treatments over £500 will help families budget for major procedures and avoid unexpected financial shocks.
- Clearer pet care plans: Vets offering pet care plans will have to explicitly state the price of each component and how any advertised savings are calculated, ensuring consumers do not overpay for services they are unlikely to use.
- Improved complaints process: Practices will be forced to follow a transparent, accessible in-house complaints process and engage in mediation where disputes with pet owners cannot be resolved.
When will the changes take effect?
There is a set timetable for the implementation of all of the vet reforms, which unfortunately means that they will not be fully implemented by large vet practices until June 2027 and by September 2027 for small vet practices (those with under 15 locations). Below are some of the key deadlines
- By December 2026 larger vet practices will need to have clear price lists (small vet practices have until March 2027)
- By March 2027 larger vet practices will need to cap prescription costs (small vet practices have until September 2027), while both large and small vet practices have to have improved complaints processes in place
- By June 2027 the new 'Find a Vet' price comparison service will be in place, while larger vet practices will have to provide written estimates, itemised bills, written prescriptions and explain that you may be able to buy medicines cheaper online. Small vet practices will have until September 2027 to put these measures in place.
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