UK veterinary sector reforms planned to tackle high costs of pet care

"The biggest shake-up of the UK veterinary sector for 60 years should push down costs for pet owners by requiring practices to make their pricing clearer, the government has said. Ministers have announced a package of measures after an investigation into reported high prices found problems in the vet sector could be costing UK households at least 1bn over five years."

"It is estimated that 60% of UK households about 17 million have a pet, and owners spent about 6.3bn on veterinary and other services in 2024, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which found that vet fees had risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation. That figure works out at an average of just over 365 for each pet-owning household, but some owners end up paying much more than that."

Ministers announced measures requiring veterinary practices to publish price lists for common treatments and to be transparent about treatment options so owners can compare costs. The Competition and Markets Authority estimated owners spent about 6.3bn on veterinary and other services in 2024, with vet fees rising nearly twice the rate of inflation and sector problems potentially costing UK households at least 1bn over five years. About 60% of UK households have pets. Defra plans include ownership disclosure for practices, official operating licences similar to GP surgeries and care homes, and remedies aligned with the CMA’s findings to increase competition and lower prices.

Read at www.theguardian.com