Rightvet topic guide
Vet costs in the UK
A guide to what UK vet visits cost, why prices vary, and how to compare practices near you. Every figure is sourced from published prices across UK practices.
£57
median first consultation
3,303
practices with published prices
What determines vet fees?
Region
Fees are highest in London and the South East. Rural and northern practices typically charge less for the same service.
Ownership
Practices owned by larger groups tend to charge more than independent practices. The gap on a first consultation is typically £15 to £25.
Price transparency
There is no legal duty to publish a price list yet, and the CMA found in March 2026 that fewer than 40% of practices show prices online. That duty is coming: larger groups from December 2026, smaller practices from March 2027. Rightvet tracks the practices publishing today.
Research study
How much does a vet consultation cost?
Live median first-appointment, follow-up, nurse and OOH fees.
Research study
Dog vaccination costs in the UK
Primary courses, annual boosters and kennel cough medians.
Research study
Cat vaccination costs in the UK
Kitten primary course and annual booster medians.
Research study
Dog neutering costs in the UK
Castration and spay prices by weight, region and practice type.
Research study
Cat neutering costs in the UK
Cat castration and spay price medians by region.
Research study
Microchipping cost in the UK
National median microchipping prices from UK practices.
Research study
Emergency vet costs in the UK
OOH consultation median and the premium over a routine visit.
Price guide
Animal Health Certificate costs in the UK
Practice and specialist prices, local services, urgent fees and travel rules.
Common questions about vet costs
- How much does a vet appointment cost in the UK?
- The median published first-consultation fee is £57. This covers the examination only, not medication or additional tests.
- Why do vet prices vary so much?
- Fees vary by region, practice ownership and the local cost base. London practices typically charge more than those in northern England. Practices part of larger groups tend to charge higher fees than independent practices.
- Can I see vet prices before I book?
- Often, but not always. UK vets are not yet required to publish a price list, and the CMA found in March 2026 that fewer than 40% show prices online. The CMA has decided practices will have to publish one: larger groups from December 2026 and smaller practices from March 2027. Where a practice does publish, you can compare it with others near your postcode using the Rightvet prices tool, and you can always ring and ask for a price.
- What is the most expensive routine vet treatment?
- Dental procedures (scale and polish) and neutering for larger dogs tend to be the costliest routine treatments. Emergency and out-of-hours consultations carry a significant premium over a daytime appointment.