RESEARCH
The CMA veterinary investigation: what it means for you
The Competition and Markets Authority spent two years investigating the UK veterinary market. Their provisional findings cover pricing, ownership, transparency and competition across more than 4,400 first-opinion practices. A final decision with legally binding remedies is expected by May 2026.
Published March 2026 · 7 min read · Source: CMA provisional decision, October 2025
Key findings
The CMA’s veterinary market investigation found that group practices charge 16.6% more on average than independents. When practices were acquired by certain large groups, prices rose by a further 9% within four years, over and above sector-wide increases. Most pet owners are unaware of who owns their vet: at the three largest groups, fewer than one in three clients knew. Six groups now control over 2,600 first-opinion practices and own businesses across the veterinary supply chain. Legally binding remedies, including mandatory price lists and ownership disclosure, are expected by mid-2026.
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In September 2023, the launched a formal investigation into the UK veterinary market. Two years later, in October 2025, they published their . The findings were significant. Group practices charge more than independents, prices rise further after acquisition, and most pet owners have no idea who owns their vet.
This article summarises the key findings from the CMA’s investigation and the remedies they have proposed. All data is taken directly from the CMA’s published provisional decision and supporting documents.
Group practices charge more on average
16.6%
higher average prices at group practices compared to independents, across a basket of common treatments
9%
additional price increase within four years after acquisition by certain large groups, above sector-wide increases
63%
average price rise across the sector between 2016 and 2023. General services inflation was 32% over the same period.
The CMA compared prices at group and independent across a standard basket of services including consultations, vaccinations and common procedures. The 16.6% gap represents the average across all groups, but with significant variation. Some groups showed larger premiums, others smaller. The CMA was careful to note that the premium reflects the average position, not every individual practice.
When certain large groups acquired independent practices, prices at those practices rose by around 9% within four years, over and above the sector-wide increases that all practices experienced. The CMA found these price increases were linked primarily to an assessment of what customers would accept rather than to investments in clinical quality. Salary increases could explain, at most, around half of the rises.
Pets at Home was excluded from the acquisition analysis because it grew by opening new practices rather than acquiring independents. The CMA did not find significant post-acquisition price increases at Linnaeus.
| GroupGroup | Cost satisfaction (out of 100)Score |
|---|---|
| CVS Group | 13 |
| IVC Evidensia | 17 |
| Linnaeus | 24 |
| Medivet | 28 |
| VetPartners | 29 |
| Pets at Home | 40 |
| Independent | 47 |
CMA consumer survey, October 2025. Higher scores indicate greater customer satisfaction with cost.
Most pet owners don’t know who owns their vet
78%
of IVC Evidensia clients did not know their vet was part of a larger group
The CMA surveyed thousands of pet owners and asked whether they knew their practice was part of a larger group. The results varied dramatically depending on the group.
Percentage of clients who knew their vet was part of a group
Percentage of clients who knew their practice was part of a larger group. CMA consumer survey, October 2025.
The CMA found evidence that some groups made a deliberate strategic choice to keep local practice names after acquisition. Internal documents showed that groups were aware their own research found consumers preferred independents, and that revealing group ownership could drive clients away. This was not an accident or an oversight. It was a considered branding decision.
Pets at Home stands out for a different reason. Its practices trade under the Vets4Pets or Companion Care names, which most clients recognise. At 84%, awareness is far higher than any fully-owned group. The model means pricing and clinical decisions sit with the local vet partner.
The same company may provide your vet, emergency care and pharmacy
The largest veterinary groups don’t just run daytime practices. Several have expanded into emergency care, online pharmacies, pet cremation, referral hospitals and diagnostic laboratories.
IVC Evidensia
CVS Group
CVS sold its cremation business in April 2025.
VetPartners
Medivet
Linnaeus
Pets at Home
No related services owned
| Group | Out-of-hours | Pharmacy | Cremation | Referral | Diagnostics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVC Evidensia | Vets Now | Pet Drugs Online | Cambridge Pet Cremations | Yes | No |
| CVS Group | MiNightVet | Animed Direct | Sold | Yes | Yes |
| VetPartners | No | VetUK | PCS | Yes | No |
| Medivet | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Linnaeus | No | No | No | Yes | Antech |
| Pets at Home | No | No | No | No | No |
Source: CMA provisional decision Table 2.2, October 2025. CVS sold its cremation business in April 2025.
The CMA found evidence that private equity investors viewed first-opinion practices as entry points to a broader range of veterinary services. Internal documents showed that groups expected to generate additional revenue from referral centres, emergency care, cremation and pharmacy services connected to their first-opinion practices. When your daytime vet, emergency provider and pharmacy are all owned by the same company, that is worth knowing.
New rules expected by mid-2026
The CMA has proposed 21 remedies in total. Seven are particularly relevant to pet owners:
Remedy 2b
Mandatory price lists
All practices must publish prices for a standard list of at least 48 common services, updated at least annually. This applies to every practice in the UK.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
Currently 70% of UK practices publish at least one price online. The CMA will require 48 standardised services.
Based on Rightvet data. 4,795 practices analysed, March 2026.
Remedy 1
Ownership disclosure
Every practice must clearly display who owns it, both in the premises and online. Clients should be able to see at a glance whether their vet is independent or part of a group.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
Nearly two thirds of group practices still trade under their original local name with no visible group branding. Rightvet has mapped ownership for 4,794 practices.
Based on Rightvet data. 4,794 practices mapped, March 2026.
Remedy 5
Prescription fee cap
The fee practices can charge for writing a prescription (allowing you to buy medication elsewhere) will be capped. The CMA proposed a cap of 50% of the dispensing margin, designed to remove the financial penalty for choosing an alternative pharmacy.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
Most practices do not publish their prescription fee, making comparison difficult.
Remedy 2c
Online pharmacy awareness
Practices must inform clients of their right to obtain a written prescription and purchase medications from an alternative supplier, including online pharmacies.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
Three of the six largest groups own online pharmacies: IVC Evidensia (Pet Drugs Online), CVS (Animed Direct), VetPartners (VetUK). Practices are not currently required to tell pet owners about alternatives.
Source: CMA provisional decision, October 2025.
Remedy 4
Itemised bills and estimates
Practices must provide itemised bills for all treatments over a threshold (proposed at £100). Written estimates must be offered for planned treatments above the same threshold.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
There is currently no requirement to provide itemised bills or written estimates before treatment.
Remedy 2a
Out-of-hours transparency
Practices must clearly publish their out-of-hours arrangements, including the name of the provider, its location, and the cost of an emergency consultation.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
Rightvet has mapped out-of-hours arrangements for 1,358 practices. Two providers handle roughly 64% of all emergency referrals.
Based on Rightvet data. 1,358 practices analysed, March 2026.
Remedy 3
RCVS data sharing
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons must share its practice-level data with approved comparison services, enabling tools like Rightvet to provide complete and up-to-date information.
RIGHTVET INTELLIGENCE
The RCVS does not currently share practice data with comparison services. Rightvet built its database independently from 5,647 public records.
Based on Rightvet data. 5,647 practices analysed, March 2026.
Larger groups (100 or more practices) must comply within 3 months of the final order. Smaller practices have 6 months.
You don’t have to wait
Many of the things the CMA wants to make mandatory are already available on Rightvet. You can check them today.
Check who owns your vet
Search any UK practice to see its ownership, group connections and supply chain.
Compare prices nearby
See what practices near you charge for consultations, vaccinations and common treatments.
The CMA does not suggest that the large groups are behaving unethically or that the vets who work for them do not take their professional responsibilities seriously. Ownership is one factor among many when choosing a vet. The findings summarised here are from the CMA’s provisional decision of October 2025. A final decision is expected by 22 May 2026. This article will be updated when the final decision is published.
Common questions about the CMA vet investigation
Check who owns your vet
Rightvet maps ownership for every UK veterinary practice. Enter your postcode to see which practices near you are part of a larger group, which are independent, and what they charge.
Check ownership →More research
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