The Competition & Markets Authority has published five papers which set out the extensive evidence it has gathered to-date, and its emerging views on how the veterinary services market is working.

A spokesperson for the CMA said: “Well over half of all UK households have pets and most people care deeply about their animals, considering them to be part of their family.

“Unlike NHS care for humans, there is no state funded animal healthcare in the UK and therefore, apart from a few charities, veterinary services are provided to pet owners on a commercial basis.”

The Office for National Statistics estimated that UK consumer spend on veterinary and other services for pets was around £6.3 billion in 2023, increasing by an average of around 10% annually since 2013 and around 20% annually between 2020 and 2023.

The CMA spokesperson continued: “In order that animals are protected and well cared for, we need a thriving veterinary industry, staffed by dedicated and capable vet professionals.

“It is important that the provision of this service – which is essential to many people and their animals – works well for consumers. When purchasing veterinary services, pet owners need to be able to make choices that suit them and their animals and know that they are getting a good deal.”

The CMA said it has some concerns about some aspects of the market.

“In order to test these concerns with interested parties we have set them out in detail, in this series of working papers.”

The five working papers can be downloaded using the following links:

How people purchase veterinary services;

Business models, provision of veterinary advice and consumer choice;

Competition in the supply of veterinary medicines;

Regulatory framework for veterinary professionals and veterinary services; and

Analysis of local competition.