UK Competition Watchdog Proposes Sweeping Reforms of Veterinary Services Market

October 15, 2025

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Britain’s competition regulator, recently PUBLISHED the provisional decision in its market investigation into the UK’s £6.3 billion veterinary services market. The UK is one of the most concentrated veterinary markets in the world where the majority of practices are owned and operated by a small number of corporate groups.

Martin Coleman, Chair of the CMA’s Inquiry Group, said:

  • “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. They are sometimes committing to expensive treatment without understanding the price in advance. And they do not always feel confident asking for a prescription or buying medicine online – even when it could save them hundreds of pounds.”
  • “Even where pet owners could access some of this information, it is difficult for them to compare prices and services – despite the fact that, in most of the country, there are several local practices they could choose between.”
  • “We are proposing major reforms aimed at bringing about a transformation in the experience of pet owners and empowering them to make the best choices for their circumstances.”
  • “We believe that our proposals would enable pet owners to choose the right vet, the right treatment, and the right way to purchase medicine – without confusion or unnecessary cost.”

RELATED:

Summary of Provisional Decision on the Vets Market Investigation (10.15.25)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ee3de1e7b6794c076bbe09/Summary.pdf

  • After the decision, changes will be implemented through a legally binding CMA order, with some measures potentially coming into force before the end of 2026.

CASE PAGE: All Information and Activities Related to Investigation of Veterinary Services Market
https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/veterinary-services-market-for-pets-review

  • Next steps: Provisional decision response hearings will be conducted in November to December 2025 – final decision will likely be published by February or March 2026 (statutory deadline is May 2026).

UK’s Antitrust Watchdog Launches Review into Rising Prices in Veterinary Services Market for Pets (9.8.23)
https://www.pets.care/news/2023/09/cma-launches-review-into-rising-prices-in-uk-veterinary-services-market-for-pets/

  • “There has been a lot of consolidation in the vet industry in recent years, so now is the right time to take a look at how the market is working,” according Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA.

RECENT NEWS:

  • Vets Should Be Made To Publish Prices, Watchdog Says (10.15.25)
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c201r14z6r3o

    • The CMA’s proposals included making vets reveal if they are part of a large group, capping prescription fees and banning bonuses on offering specific treatments.
    • “We’re often not being told up-front basic information such as who owns the practice, the price of commonly used services, and we’re not often given estimates of the likely price of treatment costing hundreds, even thousands of pounds” stated CMA’s Martin Coleman.
    • “The CMA also found practices owned by large vet groups charge 16.6% more on average than independent vets,” according to the BBC.
  • Vets Could Be Made To Cap Prescription Prices After UK Watchdog Investigation (10.15.25)
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/15/vets-could-be-made-to-publish-prices-after-uk-watchdog-investigation

    • “It’s clear that the regulation of this market has become outdated, to the detriment of both pet owners and vet practices. The government must act quickly to modernise this sector,” according Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection policy at the consumer group, Which?.
  • UK Watchdog Proposes Sweeping Reforms of $8 Billion Vet Sector (10.15.25)
    https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-regulator-calls-major-reforms-veterinary-services-market-2025-10-15/

    • “CVS Group said it has plans in place to implement measures, including joint branding of its practices and publishing standardized price lists, though it added not all the proposed moves are “fully justified,”” according to Reuters.