Pet prescription fees capped at £21 after investigation

Key takeaways

• UK prescription fees for veterinary medicines are now capped at £21 for the first script and £12.50 for repeats after a CMA investigation found major pricing inconsistencies.

• Rising vet costs - up 63% since are pushing many pet owners to cut back on care, with 41% reducing spending and emergency visits averaging nearly £269.

• The CMA reforms aim to make vet pricing clearer, helping owners compare options and potentially reduce costs by buying medication online with a written prescription.

Prescription charges for veterinary medicines in the UK will now be capped at £21 for the first prescription and £12.50 for subsequent scripts as part of the reforms made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which aim to improve transparency and fairness in the £6.7 billion vet market.

The cap comes after a nearly two-year investigation found wide variations in prescription pricing and higher costs at large corporate-owned practices.¹

This cap covers only written prescription fees, not the actual medications. However, this measure can help pet owners make informed decisions and cut costs by purchasing medications online with a written prescription rather than buying medications directly from the practice.

That's why it's been made equally important in these reforms that vets clearly outline pricing information and alternative options for pet owners.

Other measures set out by the CMA to help pet owners make informed decisions include:

• Vets must publish price lists for their standard services;

• Vets must give a written estimate for treatments that are expected to cost more than £500, including the cost of aftercare. The only exception to this is in the case of emergencies when treatment is needed immediately;

• Vets must disclose whether they are part of a veterinary group;

• The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons will collect and share information of treatment price and ownership of veterinary practices. Pet owners can use the 'Find a Vet' service and third-party comparison sites to compare practices.

Pet owners are cutting back on care

Vet care costs in the UK have risen sharply in recent years and new research* from MoneySuperMarket suggests pet owners are cutting back on pet-care spending as they look for ways to keep their budgets in check.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

The rising cost of pet care puts owners in difficult position

Veterinary costs have soared in recent years, with prices rising by 63% between 2016 and 2023. This has potentially been driven by higher running expenses, rising wages for skilled staff, and the cost of advanced treatments.

However, data shows that vet costs have increased nearly twice as fast as inflation and many veterinary practice websites still do not display pricing information.

In many cases, these increased costs are forcing pet owners to make difficult decisions, sometimes putting off treatments for their or forgoing them altogether because they simply can't afford them.

MoneySuperMarket’s survey* of UK pet owners found that 41% have reduced spending on pet care over the last year, with cost-cutting spanning a wide range of areas: 

• Overall: Reducing spending on toys (13%), treats (10%), grooming (9%)

• Parents: 54% have cut costs, mainly on toys (21%) and treats (13%)

• Young adults (25–34): 65% have reduced spending, primarily on toys (19%), doggy daycare (16%), pet-care accessories (16%), grooming (14%), and food (11%)

• Older adults (55+): Struggling the least, but more than 1 in 4 (26%) have still made cuts

Emergency vet visits add to the financial pressure

Further survey data from MoneySuperMarket found that one in three pet owners (33%) made an emergency visit to the vet in the last year.

Emergency appointments are typically more expensive than routine visits, with the average visit now £268.92 – 6% higher than last year.²

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Pet insurance can offer valuable support in more ways than one

These sharp increases in vet costs are why pet insurance can be a real lifeline, giving owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet’s health rather than worrying about the bill.

Before booking treatment, check whether your vet displays prices clearly and don’t hesitate to ask about alternative options. Being informed helps you make the best decisions for your pet.

Also, look for policies that include emergency phone or video consultations – these can save time and money when the unexpected happens.

<sup>Sources
1. Financial Times
2. GovUK: Major reforms would require vet businesses to make fundamental changes to the way they support pet owners
3. GovUK: Vets market investigation: an update from the Inquiry Chair</sup>

^{*Research conducted by YouGov in August 2025. 2,193 people were surveyed of which 1,115 were pet owners.}