UK Watchdog Calls for Major Overhaul of $8 Billion Veterinary Industry
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed sweeping reforms to the country’s $8 billion veterinary sector, saying pet owners are being left “in the dark” about pricing and ownership, and often overpay for basic care and medications.
The watchdog’s review, released this week, found that veterinary prices have jumped 63% between 2016 and 2023, far outpacing inflation. According to the report, clients pay about 17% more on average at large corporate-owned veterinary chains compared to independent practices.
Transparency Tops the Agenda
To improve fairness and competition, the CMA is proposing several key reforms, including:
Requiring all veterinary practices to publish detailed price lists
Launching a national price comparison website for veterinary care
Capping prescription fees at £16 (about $20 USD)
The regulator also wants clearer disclosure about who actually owns a veterinary practice, as many clients do not realize that local clinics may be part of major corporate groups.
“Pet owners are often left in the dark, not knowing whether their practice is independent or part of a chain or what a fair price looks like,” said Martin Coleman, chair of the CMA inquiry group.
Stock Market Reacts and Relaxes
The review had been closely watched by investors, given fears of possible divestments or strict price controls. But analysts described the findings as “broadly expected” and welcomed the focus on transparency over regulation.
Shares of CVS Group, which owns about 470 veterinary practices across the UK and Australia, surged up to 18%following the announcement. Pets at Home, another major chain, also gained around 4.5% in early trading.
What’s Next
The CMA will publish its final decision by March 2026, and some reforms could take effect as early as next year.
In the meantime, major veterinary groups like CVS say they are already taking steps toward compliance, including joint branding of their clinics and standardized pricing, though some argue not all the proposed changes are “fully justified.”
If implemented, the reforms could mark the biggest shakeup of the UK’s veterinary industry in decades, reshaping how pet owners choose their vets and how much they pay.
