11 new vet rule changes 'in force' from Tuesday including £21 price cap for dog and cat owners

A raft of new rules for anyone using a vet in the UK has now come into force from today - including legally binding prescription fee caps and publishing price lists. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its final reforms for the sector will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market.

Other legally binding measures will include a price comparison website and mandatory branding by the large groups to boost competition and drive down prices. The Veterinary Services Market Investigation Order 2026 substantive Order was published by the CMA today (September 22) . It implements the package of remedies decided in the CMA’s final report.

The Competition and Markets Authority, which has been investigating the sector since 2023 , discovered that customers could be paying double for commonly prescribed medicines from vet practices than they would online, leading them to spend “hundreds of pounds more”. The authority suggested that vets should cap prescription fees at £21 for the first medicine and £12.50 for any additional medicines and inform customers about potential savings from purchasing medicines online with those prescriptions.

“These measures will help prompt consumers to consider buying medication online and protect them from having to pay excessive prices for the prescriptions they would need to do so,” it stated.

The CMA said pet owners using a vet practice that is part of a larger chain can expect to see changes starting on September 23. The measures follow the CMA finding that fees have risen at almost twice the rate of inflation, with pet owners not being given enough information about their vet and the prices of treatments.

CMA has made the remedies from its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets legally binding as of Tuesday September 22 2026. Key requirements in the Order are designed to improve transparency, empower pet owners, and increase competition.

Main measures include prescription fee cap — written prescription fees are capped at £21 (for the first medicine, with additional fees for subsequent ones). Practices must also tell clients if cheaper medicines may be available online.

Price lists — Practices must publish a comprehensive price list for standard services eg consultations, common procedures, and cremation options.

Written estimates and itemised bills — A written estimate must be provided in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill afterwards.