Explainers
How to read a vet's CMA price-transparency disclosure
Last updated 3 May 2026
Quick answer
A CMA-mandated UK vet price disclosure lists fees for routine services (consultations, vaccinations, neutering, dental work, microchipping, prescription dispensing fees, cremation), states whether prices include VAT, discloses corporate ownership of the practice, and explains out-of-hours pricing. The disclosure is published on the practice's website.
Under the CMA's 2025 Vet Services price-transparency order, every UK vet practice publishes a disclosure on its website covering the routine services consumers buy most often. The disclosure follows a defined structure but practice websites vary, so it helps to know what to look for.
Where to find the disclosure
The disclosure typically lives at /pricing, /our-prices, /price-transparency, /fees, or a similarly-named page reachable from the practice website's main navigation or footer. The CMA's order does not mandate a specific URL — only that the disclosure be published, accessible, and current.
What's in the disclosure
The disclosure covers the 16 routine services in scope of the CMA's price-transparency requirement:
- · Routine consultation (in-hours)
- · Out-of-hours consultation
- · Vaccination — dog primary course
- · Vaccination — dog booster
- · Vaccination — cat primary course
- · Vaccination — cat booster
- · Vaccination — kennel cough
- · Microchipping
- · Neuter — male cat / female cat
- · Neuter — male dog / female dog
- · Dental scale and polish
- · Prescription dispensing fee
- · Cremation — loose ashes
- · Cremation — individual
Each service is listed with its current price. The CMA's order requires the disclosure also state explicitly whether prices include VAT — practices commonly use phrasings like 'all prices include VAT' or 'prices exclude VAT at 20%'.
What to check before you book
VAT inclusion. A £45 consultation that excludes VAT is a £54 consultation once VAT is added. The CMA's order requires this is stated explicitly; if a disclosure is silent on VAT, ask before booking.
Out-of-hours surcharge. Many practices charge two to four times the in-hours fee for OOH consultations. Check whether OOH care is provided in-house by the practice or referred to a third-party OOH provider; if referred, check that provider's disclosure too.
Prescription dispensing fees. Practices charge a dispensing fee on prescription medication on top of the medication itself. The CMA's order requires practices to disclose this fee and inform pet owners that medication can typically be obtained more cheaply elsewhere via a written prescription.
Corporate ownership. The disclosure should state whether the practice is owned by one of the corporate groups. If it isn't disclosed, ask. Independent and corporate-owned practices commonly price differently for routine services.
Frequently asked questions
Is every UK vet practice required to publish prices online?
Yes — under the CMA's 2025 Vet Services price-transparency order, every regulated UK vet practice must publish prices on its website for the routine services in scope of the disclosure requirement. The order is being phased in from 2026 onwards.
Do vet prices include VAT?
The CMA's price-transparency order requires that every disclosure states explicitly whether prices include VAT. Some practices include VAT in their listed prices; others list ex-VAT and state that VAT applies at 20%. Check the disclosure on each practice's website before comparing.
What if a vet practice doesn't publish prices?
The CMA's price-transparency requirement is mandatory for every regulated UK vet practice. Compliance is monitored by the CMA. If a practice does not publish prices on its website after the relevant phase-in deadline, you can raise the issue with the CMA directly.
Can I get vet prescription medication cheaper elsewhere?
The CMA's 2024 market investigation found that prescription medication dispensed by UK vet practices commonly carries a higher price than the same medication obtained elsewhere via a written prescription. Under the CMA's price-transparency remedies, practices must inform pet owners of this option.
Vet Cost Index
A transparent UK vet-pricing index built around the CMA Vet Services price-transparency remedies. The comparison index opens as practices publish their disclosures.