CMA Vet Market Verdict Is Here — What It Means for Your Vet Bills

What just happened

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final decision on the UK veterinary market — the conclusion of an investigation that began in September 2023. The investigation examined why vet prices have risen so sharply (63% between 2016 and 2023, well above inflation) and what should be done about it.

The headline: vets will now be legally required to publish their prices, written prescription fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for each additional medicine, and corporate ownership must be disclosed. Large corporate groups must also brand their practices transparently. Practices must provide written estimates for any treatment over £500, including aftercare, and give itemised bills. These are the most significant reforms to UK veterinary regulation in decades.

The problem in numbers

We have been collecting vet prices from across the UK since the start of 2026. Our data from 1,369 practices confirms exactly what the CMA found:

• Cat spaying costs range from £45 to £780 — a 17x difference between practices
• A standard consultation can cost anywhere from £20 to £313
• Dog neutering ranges from £76 to £500
• London practices charge 40-60% more than those in the North of England

The variation is staggering, and until now there has been no easy way for pet owners to compare.

The 3 reforms that matter most to you

1. Mandatory published price lists

All vet practices will be required to publish prices for their most common procedures. This is the single biggest change — and it is exactly what Vet Fair has been doing voluntarily since we launched. No more phoning around to find out what things cost.

2. Prescription fee cap at £21

Currently, many practices charge £30 or more for written prescriptions. Under the new rules, fees will be capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medicines. This means you can more easily buy medication from online pharmacies, which are often 30-50% cheaper than vet dispensaries. You have always had the legal right to a written prescription — now it will be more affordable to exercise it.

3. Corporate ownership disclosure

Around 60% of UK vet practices are now owned by large corporate groups, but many still trade under their original names. Under the new rules, practices must clearly disclose who owns them. This matters because our data shows that corporate chains charge an average of 15-25% more than independent practices for the same procedures.

What changes and when

The CMA has 6 months to put legally binding Orders in place — that means by 23 September 2026. Once the Orders are made, nearly all remedies will be in force within 3 to 12 months. Smaller veterinary businesses will get 3 months longer than larger businesses to implement most of the changes. For larger corporate groups, expect the first changes before the end of 2026.

What you can do right now

You do not need to wait for the reforms to take effect. You can compare vet prices today on Vet Fair. We have 4,734 verified prices from 1,369 UK practices, covering 17 common procedures. It is free, there is no signup, and it takes 30 seconds.

If you are thinking about neutering, vaccinations, or any routine procedure, check what practices near you charge before you book. The savings can be substantial.

→ Read our full CMA investigation explainer

→ Compare vet prices near you