Veterinary costs are surging across the UK, with pet owners in London and the South West paying some of the highest prices for treatments, new research has found.
An analysis of vet bills submitted to WhatPrice by domestic pet owners shows that London and the South West top the nation for average veterinary costs, with London averaging £779 per treatment and the South West at £819.
These findings from our data highlight significant financial challenges for pet owners in these regions, as the cost-of-living crisis compounds rising veterinary bills.
By comparison, regions like Scotland and Northern Ireland offer some of the most affordable treatment prices, averaging £452 and £317, respectively.
We’ve broken the data down below with averages for all pets across the UK. We can then look in more detail at dogs & cats specifically, as these account for the largest proportion of prices submitted to us. Following that we’ve calculated averages for the most popular treatment types for all domestic animals across the UK.
Average Vet Costs by Region
(all domestic pets)
| Region | Average Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
| Cymru Wales | £626 |
| East Midlands | £701 |
| East of England | £568 |
| London | £779 |
| North East | £525 |
| North West | £598 |
| Northern Ireland | £317 |
| Scotland | £452 |
| South East | £628 |
| South West | £819 |
| West Midlands | £581 |
| Yorkshire & the Humber | £622 |
| UK Average | £633 |
Average Vet Bill for a Dog
| Region | Average Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
| Cymru Wales | £586 |
| East Midlands | £733 |
| East of England | £641 |
| London | £753 |
| North East | £488 |
| North West | £653 |
| Northern Ireland | £219 |
| Scotland | £474 |
| South East | £631 |
| South West | £913 |
| West Midlands | £629 |
| Yorkshire & the Humber | £664 |
| UK Average for a Dog | £660 |
Average Vet Bill for a Cat
| Region | Average Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
| Cymru Wales | £698 |
| East Midlands | £637 |
| East of England | £395 |
| London | £801 |
| North East | £628 |
| North West | £512 |
| Northern Ireland | £398 |
| Scotland | £422 |
| South East | £650 |
| South West | £698 |
| West Midlands | £480 |
| Yorkshire & the Humber | £543 |
| UK Average for a Cat | £603 |
Average by Treatment Type
| Region | Average Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
| X Ray | £680 |
| Dental Surgery | £845 |
| Blood test | £248 |
| Examination | £179 |
| Emergency Care | £1,554 |
| Neutering | £234 |
| Overnight Care | £1,197 |
| Surgery | £2,071 |
| Vaccination | £72 |
| Biopsy | £413 |
| Annual Booster | £61 |
The Rising Cost of Pet Care
These findings demonstrate very clearly how pet owners across the UK are under increasing financial strain due to escalating veterinary bills.
Advanced medical treatments and diagnostics, while improving the quality of care, often come with hefty price tags. Routine visits, vaccinations, and emergency care have also seen price increases, influenced by inflation and the growing trend of independent practices being swallowed up by corporate chains.
Competition and Markets Authority Review into Veterinary Sector
Following a review in 2023 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the market due to concerns that competition may not be functioning effectively, potentially leading to higher costs and limited choices for pet owners.
Key issues identified by the CMA included:
- Lack of Transparent Information: Pet owners may not receive sufficient details about treatment options and pricing, hindering their ability to make informed decisions.
- Market Consolidation: The acquisition of independent practices by large corporate groups has led to concentrated local markets, potentially weakening competition and reducing consumer choice.
- Medication Costs: There are indications that pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
- Outdated Regulations: The current regulatory framework may not adequately address these evolving market dynamics.
The investigation is ongoing, with an outcome expected later in 2025, it’ll be interesting to see the recommendations and how this affects pricing across the market.
Tips for Pet Owners Across the UK
WhatPrice recommends the following to help pet owners manage veterinary expenses effectively:
- Ask for itemised quotes and explore whether cheaper treatment options are available.
- Consider travelling for affordable care – Scotland serves as an example of how location can impact costs.
- Look into pet insurance to mitigate unexpected expenses.
- Compare local practices – independent vets may often provide more competitive rates than larger chains.
Methodology
Price data collected from January 2024 to date from 1447 vets bills submitted by users of WhatPrice. All submissions are moderated and checked for accuracy before publication on WhatPrice.