UK Vets May Be Forced to Publish Prices After CMA Probe

Published: 15 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Vets across the UK could soon be required to publish their prices and clearly disclose whether they are part of a larger corporate group following an investigation by the markets watchdog into concerns that chain-owned surgeries are reducing choice and driving up costs for pet owners.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revealed that pet owners currently pay on average 16.6% more at large veterinary groups compared with independent practices. The watchdog described the £6.3 billion veterinary market as “not fit” for purpose, concluding that it urgently needs modernisation to protect both pets and their owners.

Publishing its provisional findings on Wednesday, the CMA highlighted how many pet owners are unaware of the costs of basic veterinary services and have no clear knowledge about whether their local practice is part of a large national chain. Without access to such information, customers are often unable to compare prices effectively, whether they are acquiring a new pet, moving to a different area, or seeking routine treatments.

The investigation also found that pet owners may be paying significantly more for commonly prescribed medicines when purchased directly through veterinary practices. In some cases, prices were reported to be twice as high as the same products available online, costing customers hundreds of pounds extra each year.

To address these concerns, the CMA has proposed 21 measures aimed at improving transparency and modernising the veterinary market. Among the proposals are requirements for vet businesses to publish comprehensive price lists for treatments, clearly disclose if they are part of a larger corporate group, and ensure that their policies and procedures allow veterinarians to act in the best interests of pets and pet owners.

Additional recommendations include introducing better treatment information, imposing a price cap on written prescriptions, and creating a comprehensive price comparison website to allow pet owners to make informed choices. These measures, the CMA said, would provide customers with “a clear way to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine – without confusion or unnecessary cost.”

The CMA’s findings are currently provisional, and the regulator has invited interested parties to submit comments by next month before a final decision is expected to be published in 2026.

Under the existing regulatory system, which dates back to 1966, oversight is limited to individual veterinary professionals rather than the businesses that operate practices. This has allowed the majority of practices, now owned by large corporate groups, to operate with minimal transparency regarding pricing or ownership.

The CMA’s research highlighted that acquisitions by larger companies were associated with a 9% increase in average prices four years after the purchase. Many of the concerns relate specifically to six major veterinary groups that collectively own the majority of practices in the UK, many of which are run by non-veterinarian owners.

Two of these groups, CVS and Pets at Home, are publicly listed companies, while three—IVC, VetPartners, and Medivet—are backed by private equity investors. Linnaeus, another major group, is owned by Mars Petcare. The watchdog said that these ownership structures have contributed to rising costs and reduced choice for pet owners, particularly where commercial considerations appear to outweigh the welfare of pets.

Martin Coleman, chair of the inquiry group, emphasised the challenges facing pet owners. “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,” he said. “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.”

The CMA argued that increasing transparency would empower pet owners, allowing them to make more informed decisions about the care of their animals while promoting competition within the veterinary sector. The regulator also stressed the importance of enabling vets themselves to prioritise animal welfare over commercial pressures, particularly in chain-owned practices.

Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the CMA’s proposals, describing the move as long overdue. Over the years, concerns have been raised about the consolidation of veterinary practices into corporate groups, which critics say has led to less choice for customers and, in some cases, pressured veterinarians to recommend costly procedures or treatments.

While many pet owners may be aware of the need to shop around for pet food or insurance, the CMA highlighted that veterinary care has remained largely opaque, with little information available to support cost comparison. The watchdog’s plan to introduce a price comparison website is expected to be a particularly significant step forward in helping customers navigate the market.

The veterinary profession itself has shown mixed reactions. Some independent vets support measures that increase transparency and encourage competition, while larger corporate groups have warned that mandatory price publication could oversimplify the complexities of veterinary care and potentially mislead customers about the costs of emergency or specialist treatment.

The CMA’s investigation underlines a broader concern that UK consumers are often left without clear information in key markets, particularly those with significant corporate consolidation. By applying similar regulatory scrutiny to the veterinary sector as it does to other industries, the watchdog aims to improve fairness, competition, and accountability.

If implemented, the CMA’s recommendations could represent the most significant reform of UK veterinary services in decades, ensuring that pet owners can access fair pricing, make informed choices, and retain confidence in the care their animals receive. The proposals would also give independent practices a better platform to compete with larger chains, potentially restoring balance to a market dominated by a handful of corporate entities.

As the consultation period continues, both industry stakeholders and consumer groups will have the opportunity to shape the final rules. Pet owners, meanwhile, await changes that could bring greater clarity, transparency, and affordability to a sector essential to the well-being of millions of animals across the UK.