Pet owners across the UK have long been feeling the pinch at the vet, and now a watchdog has stepped in with proposals to prevent them from being overcharged.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is calling for reforms to tackle rising prescription costs for pets, highlighting that average prices at veterinary services jumped 63% between 2016 and 2023 — far outpacing inflation.
CMA Investigation Reveals Shocking Price Gaps
The CMA’s 2023 investigation revealed that some pet owners are paying double — sometimes hundreds of pounds more — for commonly prescribed medicines from vets than they could online.
To address this, the CMA is suggesting capping prescription prices at £16 and requiring vets to inform pet owners about cheaper online options.
Written prescriptions would also be mandatory, making it easier for owners to shop around.
Personal Stories Highlight the Struggle
For many pet owners, these reforms can’t come soon enough. Zoe Edwards, 44, faced a £10,000 bill to save her Chow Chow, Charlie, who suffered severe road burns after a hit-and-run accident.
Despite having pet insurance, Zoe and her family had to start a GoFundMe to cover the emergency treatment and avoid putting Charlie down.
Similarly, Katie Bridge, 33, struggled to pay for her 12-stone St Bernard, Hercules, after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.
The cost of treatment alone was £8,000, forcing the family to rely on donations to save him.
Katie explained: “It was either try to raise money or resign him to death. He’s a massive part of our family, and we will do whatever it takes.”
Cat owners are also feeling the strain. Liz Hoggard spent hundreds of pounds on basic care for her rescue cat, Freddie, and faced limited insurance payouts for emergency care.
Others have been hit with thousands in emergency vet bills, highlighting the wider problem across both dog and cat owners.
Large Vet Chains Driving Up Costs
The CMA report found that pet owners often pay 16.6% more at large veterinary groups compared to independent practices.
With six major groups owning over 60% of UK vet practices, this means many owners face higher bills by default.
Martin Coleman, Chair of the Inquiry Group, explained: “Pet owners often don’t know whether their vet is independent or part of a chain, or what a fair price looks like.
They sometimes commit to expensive treatments without understanding the cost and may not feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online.”
Proposed Reforms Aim to Empower Pet Owners
The CMA’s 21 proposed measures aim to transform how pet owners experience veterinary care, making it easier to choose the right vet, treatment, and medicine without unnecessary confusion or cost.
The reforms are expected to be legally binding, with some potentially coming into effect by the end of 2026.
Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection Policy at Which?, added: “Millions of households see pets as family, yet unclear pricing, excessive charges, and lack of independent complaint routes have left owners vulnerable.
These proposals should be implemented swiftly to restore confidence in vet services.”
Government Urged to Modernise Vet Regulations
The CMA is also urging the government to prioritise updates to the Veterinary Surgeons Act and modernise vet regulations to reflect today’s market.
With the average household spending billions on vet services annually, these reforms could prevent families from facing crippling bills and ensure transparency and fairness in pet care.