Half of UK pet owners had no idea their ‘local’ vet was secretly owned by a massive corporate chain
A major investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) shows that less than half of pet owners know that their seemingly independent local practice was actually owned by a corporate chain.
The CMA’s final report, published on Tuesday (24 March), is part of a sweeping market investigation into veterinary services for household pets and unveils a package of major reforms aimed at boosting transparency, competition, and value for the millions of Brits who spend billions caring for their animals each year.
Explosive growth of corporate vet chains
The findings paint a picture of a sector that has transformed dramatically in little more than a decade.
In 2013, around 10% of UK vet practices were owned by large groups. Today, six major players – CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home, and VetPartners – control nearly 60% of first-opinion practices.
Since 2013, these large veterinary groups have acquired roughly 1,500 of the UK’s approximately 5,000 practices, often keeping the original local branding intact.
This consolidation has coincided with sharp price rises. The CMA notes that average veterinary prices surged more than 60% between 2016 and 2023, far outpacing inflation, with pet owners paying around 17% more on average at large chains than at independent clinics.
The entire market is now worth over £6.7 billion annually, with UK households spending roughly £365 per pet-owning home in 2024.
Many owners remain in the dark not just about ownership but about costs. Less than 40% of practices publish prices online, and even then the lists are often incomplete or hard to find.
Fewer than half of pet owners received pricing information before non-routine treatment, and only 29% got it in writing.
Over 70% buy long-term medication directly from their vet, even though many could save £200 or more a year by shopping online after obtaining a prescription, which some practices have charged £30 or higher to provide.
Left in the dark
The inquiry, which drew an unprecedented response from more than 56,000 pet owners and veterinary professionals, highlighted how a lack of clear information weakens competition and leaves families facing unexpected bills that can run into thousands of pounds – particularly for emergencies or complex treatments.
“Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices, even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds,” said Martin Coleman, Chair of the independent inquiry group.
The reforms aim to change that fundamentally. Starting later this year and fully in force by September 2026, vet businesses will be required to:
- Clearly display whether they are part of a large corporate group – on signage, at the premises, and online.
- Publish comprehensive price lists for standard services, including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, prescriptions, and cremation options.
- Provide written estimates for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more.
- Inform owners they can request a written prescription to buy medication elsewhere, with fees now capped at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for additional ones.
- Offer clear upfront pricing for cremation options, including the cheaper communal alternative.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ ‘Find a Vet’ service will host ownership and price data, making it easier for third-party comparison sites to help owners shop around.
Practices will also need policies to protect vets’ clinical independence from commercial pressures, and a more transparent complaints process will be mandated.
