Vet costs rising twice as fast as inflation

Latest research from VetsCompared has found that the cost of veterinary services is rising at almost twice the rate of overall inflation, as the company launches a new platform designed to help pet owners compare prices, check whether their vet bill is fair, and switch providers more easily.

Vet costs rising twice as fast as inflation

Analysis of UK inflation data shows that veterinary and pet service costs have increased by 6.1% over the last year, compared to a 3.3% rise in the Consumer Price Index across all items. Over the last two years, vet costs have climbed by 13.8%, more than double the 6.0% increase seen across the wider economy.

This growing gap between veterinary costs and wider inflation highlights the increasing financial pressure facing pet owners, particularly when it comes to unexpected or emergency treatment.

Cost of treatments remains significant

The data also shows just how significant these costs can be in real terms. Treatment for accidents or emergency injuries can range from £500 to £1,200 for dogs, while more complex conditions such as urinary blockages in cats can cost as much as £2,000. Even relatively common issues such as gastrointestinal problems can see owners paying between £850 and £1,200 depending on the severity and treatment required.

Independent vets offer more affordable alternative

However, analysis by VetsCompared also suggests that pet owners can often make meaningful savings by choosing an independent veterinary practice over a corporate provider for a number of routine treatments and preventative services.

The biggest savings were found on dog booster vaccinations, where independent practices charge an average of £57 compared to £68 at corporate groups, a saving of 19%. Nurse consultations are also notably cheaper at independent practices, averaging £29 compared to £34, while kennel cough vaccinations are typically 13% less expensive.

Cat booster vaccinations were found to cost 15% less on average at independent practices, while repeat consultations were around 9% cheaper.

VetsCompare launches bill checker

In response, VetsCompared has launched a suite of free tools designed to give pet owners greater control over how they access and pay for veterinary care.

The platform allows users to upload a vet bill and check whether each charge is low, fair or high compared to national benchmarks, request quotes from up to 12 clinics at once, compare practices side by side, and switch vets without the usual administrative burden of transferring records.

Founder of VetsCompared, Eddie Holmes, commented said: “Veterinary costs have been rising far faster than most people realise and, when you combine that with the fact that pricing is often opaque, it can leave pet owners feeling like they have very little control over what they’re paying.

"In most areas of life, from insurance to utilities, consumers are used to comparing prices quickly and easily, but until now that hasn’t really existed for veterinary care.

"What we’re doing is giving pet owners a clear answer to a question almost everyone has asked at some point, which is: was that a fair price?"

We’re also giving them the tools to do something about it, whether that’s comparing clinics, requesting multiple quotes in one place, or switching vets more easily if they choose to. As the market moves towards greater transparency, we think this kind of functionality will become the norm.”