What the CMA found: a landscape of rising costs and hidden prices
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued provisional findings on the veterinary sector, warning that prices for pet care have surged well above inflation. In a sector worth about £6.3 billion, the CMA found that vet costs have increased by around 63% over seven years, nearly double the rate of inflation. Customers commonly encounter bills that aren’t fully explained upfront, with estimates for treatments running into thousands of pounds. The watchdog’s inquiry highlights a gap between what pet owners expect to know and what is currently disclosed by many practices.
Owners interviewed by the CMA and members of the public reported difficulty in understanding charges, including whether a practice is part of a large corporate group, what a “typical” service costs, and what a treatment could eventually cost before the clinical decision is made. This lack of price transparency can leave owners with limited time to compare options or seek insurance coverage when emergencies arise.
The CMA’s proposals: pricing transparency and guardrails
The CMA’s recommendations include requiring vet practices to publish price lists and estimates, making it clear who owns the practice, and disclosing costs for commonly used services. In addition, the watchdog suggests caps on prescription fees and banning bonuses tied to recommending specific treatments. The aim is to empower pet owners to shop around for the best value and to ensure that cost considerations do not overly delay or compromise care.
Among the notable findings, the CMA observed that practices owned by large groups tended to charge higher on average than independent clinics. The CMA also argued that a regulatory framework established in 1966 no longer reflects today’s market, where corporate ownership and large networks dominate. While the current rules regulate individual veterinarians, there is less clarity around the business structures behind many clinics.
How this affects pet owners and the veterinary market
For pet owners, price transparency can change difficult decisions at stressful moments. Some families report being faced with two stark options in emergencies—pursuing immediate treatment or delaying care to avoid high costs. The CMA’s approach could reduce the guesswork, enabling owners to assess likely costs ahead of time and arrange financing or insurance with more precision.
Industry stakeholders have started to respond, acknowledging pressure from consumers and legislators to modernize pricing practices. Veterinary teams emphasize the complexity of care and the importance of professional judgement; cost should always be a factor, but not at the expense of the animal’s welfare. Critics, however, worry about the administrative burden of publishing price lists and the potential for price competition to influence clinical decisions.
Real-life impact: a voice from the public
The CMA’s work comes after stories like that of a dog owner who received a £12,000 bill to treat a grass-seed–related infection. The incident underscores how unexpected charges can confront households, particularly those without comprehensive insurance coverage. Advocates argue that upfront price information could help families prepare for the financial realities of veterinary care and may spur insurers to offer clearer coverage options aligned with real costs.
What happens next and when to expect changes
The CMA has opened a consultation period, inviting submissions from interested parties. The findings are provisional, with a final decision due next year. If the CMA proceeds with binding measures, changes could be implemented by late 2026, with smaller practices granted additional time to adapt. The shift toward price transparency is framed as a move toward a fairer market where pet owners can make informed choices while clinics maintain professional standards.
As policy makers deliberate, the veterinary community faces a balancing act: improving transparency and consumer protection without stifling clinical independence or unintendedly elevating costs. For now, the CMA’s focus on clear pricing, ownership disclosure, and reasonable cost controls signals a landmark push toward a more open and accountable pet-care market.
