Major CMA proposals to reform the UK veterinary market — what vet businesses and pet owners must know

At a glance

• The CMA has published a provisional decision following its market investigation into the UK veterinary services market.
• It proposes a package of 21 measures to boost transparency, strengthen competition and protect pet owners.
• Key remedies include mandatory published price lists, clearer information on corporate ownership, price information for treatments and a cap on prescription fees (£16).
• The CMA will consult on the provisional decision — responses were requested by 14 November 2025 — and a final decision is expected by March 2026.

Why the CMA has acted

The CMA’s provisional finding is that many pet owners lack the information they need to compare services and prices across practices. The inquiry found problems such as inconsistent pricing information, limited ways to compare local practices, high prices for commonly prescribed medicines and insufficient written cost estimates for more expensive treatment courses — all of which reduce competitive pressure in the market. Average vet prices rose materially between 2016 and 2023, and the CMA found larger corporate groups charge more on average than independent practices.

Core proposals that will affect vet businesses

The CMA’s remedies are focused on veterinary businesses (the CMA’s inquiry is principally into businesses, not individual registered vets). The proposed measures would be legally binding if the CMA’s final order is made, and include:

• Mandatory published price lists — practices would have to publish comprehensive price lists and state whether they are part of a large national group. This supports easier price comparison and clearer consumer choice.
• Written price information for costly treatments — written prices for treatment courses over £500 and itemised bills to help owners understand options and costs.
• Prescription transparency and a cap — vets would need to make it easier for owners to buy medicines online (including providing written prescriptions automatically for frequently needed medicines unless the owner opts out) and cap the fee for a written prescription at £16.
• Better information on pet care plans and cremation costs — pricing breakdowns for care plans and clearer pricing for cremations.
• Improvements to the RCVS ‘Find a Vet’ tool — the RCVS would be required to include pricing data so consumers can compare practices more easily.

The CMA acknowledges some measures will require business system changes and administrative costs, but it considers consumer benefits would outweigh these costs. Small vet businesses would be given extra time to implement changes.

What this means for pet owners

If implemented, the reforms should make it easier for pet owners to:

• See transparent prices for common procedures and medicines;
• Compare local practices using standardised data (including whether a practice is part of a large group);
• Choose to obtain medicines online at lower cost when appropriate; and
• Receive clearer, written cost estimates for expensive treatment plans.

The CMA’s aim is to empower owners to make better choices and avoid unnecessary expense while protecting clinical judgment and welfare.

Timescale and next steps

The CMA invited responses to its provisional decision and is consulting stakeholders. The consultation deadline was 14 November 2025 and the CMA expects to publish its final decision by March 2026. If confirmed, reforms would be implemented through a legally binding CMA Order and some measures could come into force before the end of 2026.

Practical checklist for veterinary practices (quick wins)

Even ahead of any formal Order, practices can act to improve consumer trust and get ready for potential obligations:

1. Publish a clear, up-to-date price list on your website and in-practice (including whether you’re part of a corporate group).
2. Provide written estimates for treatment courses likely to exceed £500 and keep itemised invoices.
3. Review prescription procedures and consider issuing written prescriptions for frequently needed medicines by default (with opt-out) where clinically appropriate.
4. Audit pet care plans and cremation offerings to ensure pricing transparency and clear terms.
5. Prepare customer-facing FAQs explaining when online medicine purchases are safe and appropriate.

These steps will both help owners and reduce disruption if and when new rules take effect.

Where to read the full CMA provisional decision

The CMA’s provisional decision and supporting material are published on GOV.UK. The CMA is also running a formal consultation on the proposals. For the full detail and to respond to the consultation, consult the CMA’s veterinary services case page.

Comments are disabled