5 Signs Your Vet May Be Overcharging You

Most of us trust our vets. We take our pets in moments of anxiety or distress, and the last thing on our minds is interrogating a price list. The CMA's investigation has confirmed, though, that significant overcharging exists across the UK market, and that the lack of price transparency makes it easy to miss.

None of the signs below prove your vet is overcharging. But they are worth knowing.

1. Your practice is owned by a corporate group

The CMA's analysis found that corporate-owned practices charge more than independent ones for the same treatments. You can usually find out who owns your practice with a quick Google of the name plus "CVS," "IVC Evidensia," or "VetPartners." Companies House also shows the registered owner of any UK business.

If it is corporate-owned, that does not mean you are being overcharged. But it means the pricing decisions are being made at a group level, not by someone who knows you and your pet.

2. Your medication costs significantly more than the online equivalent

Prescription medication is often where the biggest gap appears. A drug that costs £40 at your vet practice may cost £12 at an online pharmacy with a written prescription.

Since 2012, vets have been legally required to provide a written prescription on request. They can charge a fee for it (typically £10–15), but they cannot refuse. If the cost of your pet's regular medication at the practice is substantially higher than Viovet, PetDrugs Online, or similar, it is worth asking for a written prescription.

3. You never get an estimate before treatment

Good practices give you a written cost estimate before proceeding with anything significant. The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct says vets should discuss fees before treatment wherever possible.

If you consistently find out what something cost only when the bill arrives, ask for an itemised estimate next time before you agree to anything. A practice that is confident about its pricing will have no problem providing one.

4. Getting a second opinion is made difficult

You are entitled to your pet's medical records. A practice that makes this awkward, charges an excessive admin fee, or implies that a second opinion is unnecessary is worth being wary of. There is no clinical or ethical reason a well-run practice would obstruct this.

5. No prices are published anywhere

There is currently no legal requirement for vet practices to publish prices (that changes in September 2026), but many independent practices do publish at least indicative fees. If a practice has no pricing information at all on its website, it is likely because it does not want easy comparison.

After September 2026, all practices will be required to publish a standardised price list. Until then, you can phone ahead and ask for a quote before booking.