What the CMA's Veterinary Market Report Actually Found

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its final report into UK veterinary services on 24 March 2026. It found widespread problems with competition and the information pet owners get about prices, treatments and practice ownership. The CMA made its binding Veterinary Services Market Investigation Order on 22 September 2026, with most changes phased in over the following year.

Six large groups own most practices

In 2013, large veterinary groups owned about 10% of UK practices. The CMA says six large groups now own more than 60%, in whole or in part: CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners. Ownership is worth checking when you compare practices, because different local names may belong to the same group.

The CMA also found that average prices at five of those groups were 18.3% higher than at independent practices across consultations, treatments and medicines in its January 2023 to July 2024 data. This is a market average, not a prediction for any particular bill; compare the actual prices and care offered near you.

The price transparency gap

The CMA found that fewer than 40% of practices had prices on their websites, often for only a limited set of services. Its new Order will require practices to publish standard price lists online and in their premises. Larger businesses have until December 2026 and smaller ones until March 2027.

For planned treatment, ask for a written estimate now. From June 2027 at larger businesses and September 2027 at smaller ones, a written estimate will be required when the recommended treatment is reasonably likely to cost £500 or more including VAT, except in emergencies. Practices will also have to give itemised bills.

What the CMA found on pricing

Between January 2016 and December 2023, average veterinary prices rose 63%, compared with 32% general inflation. The CMA found that commonly prescribed medicines were typically 50% to 60% cheaper at online pharmacies than at practices. It estimated many owners could save around £200 to £300 a year by buying those medicines online, allowing for prescription or dispensing fees.

You can ask your vet for a written prescription and buy suitable medication elsewhere. Ask about the current prescription fee and compare the total price with a regulated retailer. The new £21 fee cap for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine prescribed at the same consultation starts in March 2027 for larger businesses and September 2027 for smaller ones.

What changes now

The Order was made in September 2026; that was not the deadline for every practice to change. Price lists arrive first, then prescription fee caps, written estimates and itemised bills on separate timetables. Groups must make common ownership clear by March 2027. The RCVS is due to accept practice data by June 2027, with businesses required to supply it by September 2027.

VetPriceCheck is being built to help make published prices easier to compare. Until live comparison data is available, ask local practices directly for prices and estimates.