Summary
Vets in the UK say they are under pressure to make more money for the big companies that own their practices. Prices for vet services have risen significantly, and many pet owners are concerned about the high costs. The government’s competition regulator is looking into whether these companies are providing fair pricing.
Key Facts
- Vets report feeling pressured to boost company profits.
- Vet service prices in the UK increased by 63% from 2016 to 2023.
- The UK Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the pet-care market for fair pricing issues.
- Six companies control 60% of the UK's pet-care market.
- There are questions about whether this concentration reduces competition and leads to higher prices.
- An anonymous vet shared concerns about pressure to offer costly tests and treatments to meet company targets.
- The UK government is assessing whether vets are transparent about practice ownership and pricing.
