If you’ve ever felt uneasy about unexplained veterinary charges, or wondered whether you’re overpaying for medicines your vet prescribes, you won’t be alone. In October 2025, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released its provisional findings and proposals for sweeping reforms to the veterinary services market. These aim to bring clarity, fairness and competition into a sector that, the CMA argues, has long lacked them.
In this article, I’ll explain the CMA’s key recommendations, how they might benefit you as a pet owner (and what caveats remain), and share a set of Pet-Owner Best Practices to reduce your vet bills, regardless of whether and when the reforms roll out.
What the CMA has found & proposed
The CMA’s investigation into veterinary services for household pets is part of a broader effort to crack down on industry opacity, excessive markups, and weak consumer power. Source
Here are the principal findings and proposals so far:
Key findings
- Price inflation beyond reason
Between 2016 and 2023, prices in the veterinary sector have risen by roughly 63%, far outpacing general inflation. - Higher costs at large chains
On average, the CMA found that pet owners pay 16.6 % more at large veterinary groups compared to independent practices. - Opaque pricing & hidden markups
Many practices do not publish clear price lists. Owners may be unaware of huge markups on medications or the option to get a prescription to fill elsewhere. - Consolidation & weak competition
The veterinary sector has seen major consolidation: large groups now own a significant share (estimated ~ 60 %) of practices. In some local areas, consumers have few alternative practices to turn to — limiting choice. - Regulatory gaps & the outdated framework
The current regulatory regime (largely built around the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966) regulates individuals (vets, registered nurses) but not the business entities behind them. The CMA sees scope for reform: to regulate veterinary businesses, not just the professionals. - Potential conflicts of interest in prescribing / treatment decisions
There is concern that vets working under corporate groups may be under commercial incentives (for example, tied to profit from medicines or diagnostic services) that could influence treatment recommendations.
Proposed remedies (draft / provisional)
To address these issues, the CMA has put forward 21 potential remedies (still under consultation) that would change how veterinary practices operate. Source
Some of the key proposals:
- Cap written prescription charges: Vets may be required to cap the fee for writing a prescription (for medicines intended to be bought elsewhere) at £16.
- Mandatory price transparency & publishing of price lists: Practices would need to publish standardized price lists for common treatments, services, and “entry-level” offerings.
- Itemised bills and cost breakdowns: Bills should show clear line items (consultation, diagnostics, medicine, labour) especially for treatments over a certain value (e.g. £500).
- Ownership transparency: Vets should clearly indicate whether the practice is independent or part of a larger corporate/chain.
- Price comparison website or portal: A CMA-backed or regulated price-comparison site to allow pet owners to compare vet costs across clinics.
- Limits on financial incentives or tie-ins: Restrictions may be introduced to prevent vets from being incentivised to push particular products or services purely for profit motives.
- Generic prescribing and transparency on medicine alternatives: Encourage or mandate prescribing of generic medicines where clinically appropriate, and disclosure of alternative options
- Regulation of veterinary businesses: The CMA suggests shifting regulation so that not just individuals (vets, vet nurses) but the business entities are accountable, with oversight of standards and practices.
- Safeguards for clinical freedom: Any reforms must preserve vets’ ability to make professional, clinical judgments free from undue commercial interference.
- Phased implementation & exemptions for small practices: Recognising that smaller or rural practices may struggle with compliance burden, some remedies may have delayed implementation or special treatment for them.
At present, none of the proposals are final; the CMA is still in a consultation period and is expected to publish its final decisions by March 2026 (though some moves may come earlier).
Best Practices for Savvy Pet Owners
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Ask for written estimates before any treatment exceeding £100.
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Request an itemised invoice to see where the money goes.
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Always ask for a written prescription — you’re legally entitled to it.
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Compare medication prices through licensed online pharmacies.
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Schedule preventive care (vaccinations, dentals, weight checks) — it’s cheaper than crisis treatment.
- Check local charities’ price guides for ballpark costs.
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Confirm who owns your vet practice — independence can affect pricing.
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Review your pet insurance policy yearly; cover and excesses vary widely.
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Build a long-term relationship with one trusted vet — continuity often leads to more honest dialogue about costs.
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Share data responsibly — if you discover good value, mention it in local community groups to help others.
How these changes could benefit pet owners (and where caution is needed)
Potential benefits
- Fairer pricing & cost control
A cap on prescription fees would limit excessive markups. Transparent pricing and itemised bills help you know exactly what you’re paying for — no hidden surprises. - Better ability to shop around
With published prices and a comparison tool, you could compare local vets for standard procedures (consults, dental, diagnostics) and choose more cost-effective options. - Increased trust and accountability
Knowing whether a vet is corporate-owned or independent, and seeing clear cost structure, can help build confidence in treatment decisions—not feeling you’re being upsold unnecessarily. - Empowered decision-making
If vets are required to disclose cheaper medicine alternatives and permit you to fill prescriptions elsewhere, you gain more control over costs. - Incentive on practices to compete on service, not markups
If profit can’t be boosted by obscure pricing, practices may compete more on quality, convenience, or customer service rather than hidden margins.
Caveats, challenges & critiques
- Risk of regulatory burden
Some veterinary bodies (e.g. BVA) have warned that the administrative cost of compliance might fall heavily on smaller practices, potentially pushing them to raise other prices or consolidate. - One-size-fits-all problems
Vets treat a diverse range of animals and conditions. Simple price caps may struggle to account for variation in species, size, dosage, complications, or emergency care. - Delays & gradual implementation
Even if reforms are adopted, they may trickle in over years. So many the benefits will be prospective, not immediate. - Need to protect clinical freedom
Vets must retain autonomy to select the correct treatment — the reform must avoid rigid “lowest cost” mandates that compromise animal welfare. - Geographic constraints & low competition areas
In very rural areas with few vets, the potential to switch providers is limited. So transparency helps less when there are no local alternatives. - Enforcement & monitoring
Reforms are only effective if properly enforced—and oversight, audits or dispute resolution will matter.
In short: for many pet owners, the CMA’s proposals could restore a bit of balance — giving clarity and control. But they are not a panacea and must be implemented carefully to avoid unintended harm to veterinary services or animal welfare.
The Road Ahead
The CMA’s final decision is expected in early 2026. If its price-comparison platform is approved, the UK could see the veterinary equivalent of a “Check-a-Trade for pets” — a transparent database of fees and ownership.
That’s a huge shift for an industry built on professional discretion and private billing.
Handled well, it could rebuild trust between clinics and clients; handled poorly, it risks overwhelming smaller independent practices.
Either way, the direction is clear: pet owners want transparency, and technology is ready to deliver it.
If you’d like to see fairer, clearer veterinary pricing, consider submitting a response to the CMA’s consultation or simply share your own experiences online.
Have you used a price-comparison tool for veterinary services? Did it help you make a more confident choice?
Your feedback helps shape a more transparent, equitable pet-care market, one where animal welfare and honest value go hand in hand.
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