UK veterinary practices will be forced to be more transparent on pricing from next year as part of a suite of proposals designed to clamp down on the surging cost of vet care.
The Competition and Markets Authority on Wednesday published a list of 21 proposals the regulator says will lead to greater consumer choice and savings.
This includes a new £16 price cap on prescriptions and a new comprehensive price comparison website.
The regulator warned the current system for regulating Britain’s £6.3billion vet services market is ‘not fit for purpose’ after a probe found average prices rocked 63 per cent between 2016 and 2023.
Pet owners are currently paying 16.6 per cent more on average at large vet groups than at independent vets, according to the CMA, which thinks profits are ‘much higher than they should be’ throughout a ‘substantial part of the market’ because of weak competition standards.
Dog days: Pet owners have seen vet prices soar in recent years
Martin Coleman, chair of the CMA’s inquiry group, said: ‘Pet owners are often left in the dark, not knowing whether their practice is independent or part of a chain or what a fair price looks like.
‘They are sometimes committing to expensive treatment without understanding the price in advance. And they do not always feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online – even when it could save them hundreds of pounds.
‘Even where pet owners could access some of this information, it is difficult for them to compare prices and services – despite the fact that, in most of the country, there are several local practices they could choose between.’
However, the CMA has stripped back an initial set of 28 proposals to reform the regulatory system, which included a ban on bonuses linked to offering specific treatments.
The vet industry is invited to comment on the CMA’s proposals ahead of a 12 November deadline and the publication of the regulator’s final decision in March next year.
The CMA thinks some measures could come into force by the end of next year.
Commenting on the CMA’s proposals, Britain’s largest veterinary practice provides CVS said: ‘We are pleased to see that the CMA has considered our and the veterinary profession’s feedback on the initial 28 remedies proposed in May 2025, which have been refined to 21 with no new remedies introduced.
‘Whilst we do not believe that all of these remedies are fully justified, we will be working with the CMA to refine the remedies package to ensure it is workable and deliverable and have plans in place to implement them, including joint branding of our practices and the publishing of standardised price lists.’
British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams raised concerns about how some of the proposed measures will ‘impact how services are delivered’.
He said: ‘In particular, we need clarity on the proposed introduction of comprehensive price lists, because how vet care is delivered is varied and complex and unless the CMA gets this right, it could end up creating greater confusion for consumers, which in turn could have a negative impact on animal welfare.’
CVS shares were up 6.1 per cent in early trading on Wednesday, while rival Pets at Home shares were up 3.5 per cent.
Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ‘The outcome is broadly as expected, but with no major negative surprises should alleviate the uncertainty that’s been weighing on consumer and investor sentiment.
‘That’s seen a share price increase for Pets at Home, with its growing veterinary offer, and a bigger spike for CVS Group, which is more of a pure play on the industry. That said, the line under the matter has only been pencilled in so far.
‘A further consultation is underway and a deadline for publication of the final decision has been set for March 2026.’
The CMA’s proposals
The CMA’s Coleman said the regulator’s reforms aim to drive a ‘transformation in the experience of pet owners and empowering them to make the best choices for their circumstances’.
He added: ‘We believe that our proposals would enable pet owners to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine – without confusion or unnecessary cost.’
The CMA will require vet businesses to publish comprehensive price lists, be clear if they are part of a large group, and make sure that their policies and processes allow vets to act in the best interests of pets and pet owners.
It says it will make it easier for pet owners to access cheaper medicines online, including by requiring vets to tell pet owners about savings they make by buying medicines online, and cap the price of providing prescriptions at £16.
Vets will also be required to give pet owners clear price information when they are choosing a treatment, with prices in writing for treatments over £500 and itemised bills.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons will also be required to enhance its ‘Find a Vet’ website to include pricing data.
Vets will additionally be required to give clear price information to pet owners arranging a cremation, and pricing breakdowns for pet care plans.
The CMA is recommending that the government ‘urgently prioritises’ a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and updates regulation to include veterinary businesses, as well as individual vets and nurses, and give the regulator powers to set and enforce requirements and standards for these businesses.
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This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .