Veterinary services for household pets

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has conducted a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 7 September 2023
• Last updated: 24 March 2026 — See all updates

• Case type: Markets
• Case state: Open
• Market sector: Recreation and leisure
• Opened: 7 September 2023

Administrative timetable

Date	Action
22 May 2026	Statutory deadline
24 March 2026	Publication of final decision
30 January 2026	Deadline for all final comments and evidence ahead of final decision
November to December 2025	Provisional decision response hearings
15 October 2025	Publication of provisional decision
May 2025	Deadline for all parties’ responses / submissions required before the provisional decision
February to May 2025	Publication of working papers
May 2024 to March 2025	Information requests, publication of issues statement, site visits / teach ins, submissions from main and third parties and hearings
May 2024	Reference made by CMA Board; launch market investigation (MI)

The CMA’s final report stated that our remedies package will be introduced by Orders placing requirements on veterinary businesses and Undertakings offered by (or Orders imposed on) the RCVS during an implementation period of up to six months.* We are minded to, first, make an Order (and accept an Undertaking from the RCVS) to establish a levy on veterinary businesses to enable the payment of relevant monies to the RCVS by those businesses, as soon as possible. This levy will fund preparatory and ongoing activities of the RCVS implementing the actions we are requiring of it. This will be followed by an Order to put in place the rest of our remedies package that will apply to veterinary businesses and an Undertaking from the RCVS to support these remedies.

(*) The Group may extend this six-month period by up to a further four months if it considers that there are special reasons why a final CMA Order cannot be made within the statutory deadline (Enterprise Act 2002, section 138A. These time limits do not apply to any further implementation required after Undertakings have been accepted or a CMA Order made).

A timetable for each of these periods is set out as follows:

Funding Order and Undertaking

Date	Activity
24 March 2026	Final report published
March/April 2026	Drafting of funding Order and Undertaking. Informal consultation on draft funding Order and Undertaking with key stakeholders
May 2026	Publication of draft funding Order and Undertaking for formal consultation
July 2026	Finalise and make funding Order and accept the Undertaking
23 September 2026	Statutory deadline for implementing remedial action

Substantive remedies Order and Undertaking

Date	Activity
24 March 2026	Final report published
April/May/June 2026	Drafting of substantive remedies Order and Undertaking. Informal consultation on draft substantive Order and Undertaking with key stakeholders
July 2026	Publication of draft substantive remedies Order and Undertaking for formal consultation
August/September 2026	Finalise and make substantive remedies Order and accept the Undertaking
23 September 2026	Statutory deadline for implementing remedial action

(*) UK vets sector timetable for remedies infographic (PDF, 94KB) (24.3.26)

Final report

24 March 2026: The CMA has published the final report of its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. We found competition concerns in this market and set out a package of remedies to address these.

• Summary of final report (PDF, 509KB) (24.3.26)
• Final report (24.3.26)
• Press notice CMA concludes market investigation with major reforms to veterinary sector (24.3.26)

If you are a veterinary business or a veterinary professional, read our guide to understand what this decision means for you:

• What veterinary businesses and vets need to do following the CMA’s final vets report (24.3.26)

Supporting you and your pet: new changes from the CMA

• Changes to the vets market (YouTube)

Provisional decision response hearing summaries

• RCVS PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 172KB) (24.3.26) 
• BVA BVNA BSAVA PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 150KB) (24.3.26)
• IVC PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 171KB) (24.3.26)
• FIVP PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 129KB) (24.3.26)
• Linnaeus PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 247KB) (24.3.26)
• VetPartners PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 165KB) (24.3.26)
• Medivet PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 163KB)(24.3.26)
• CVS PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 174KB) (24.3.26)
• Pets at Home PDR response hearing summary (PDF, 198KB) (24.3.26)

Summaries of roundtable discussions

Following publication of our provisional findings the case team held a roundtable discussion with representatives from small independent veterinary practices to provide an opportunity to discuss our provisional decision. The case team also held a roundtable with representatives from organisations from across the sector to assist with the development of our price list remedy.

Summaries of those roundtables are published here:

• Summary of roundtable discussion on our provisional decision (PDF, 123KB) (24.3.26)
• Summary of roundtable discussion on price lists (PDF, 139KB) (24.3.26)

Responses to provisional findings consultation 

24 March 2026: Responses to the provisional decision consultation can be found on the consultation page. 

Responses to the consumer research final report

24 March 2026: The CMA received 5 responses to the consumer research. 

• BVA BSAVA BVNA SPVS and VMG (PDF, 354KB) (24.3.26)
• IVC (PDF, 293KB) (24.3.26)
• Linnaeus (PDF, 118KB) (24.3.26)
• RCVS (PDF, 593KB) (24.3.26)
• Which? (PDF, 123KB) (24.3.26)

16 December 2025: The CMA published a qualitative consumer research report on consumer reactions to some of the consumer facing remedies. This research was commissioned ahead of our provisional decision, meaning there are some differences in the details of the remedies explored in the research and those published in our provisional decision.

The context for this research, including next steps and how to comment, can be found in the research summary.

We invited comments on the research until 5pm on 6 January 2026.

• Research background and summary (PDF, 163KB) (16.12.25)
• Consumer research final report (PDF, 1.6MB) (16.12.25)

Provisional findings 

15 October 2025: The CMA published its provisional decision in its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. We have provisionally found competition concerns in these markets.

• Press release: Major reforms would require vet businesses to make fundamental changes to the way they support pet owners (15.10.25)
• Consultation on provisional decision (15.10.25)
• Summary of provisional decision (PDF, 293KB)(15.10.25)
• Notice of provisional decision (PDF, 196KB) (15.10.25)
• Provisional findings - part A (competition concerns) (PDF, 3.3MB) (15.10.25)
• Provisional decision report - part B (remedies) (PDF, 2.7MB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix A: Local concentration analysis and barriers to entry and expansion (PDF, 233KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix B: Impact of corporate acquisitions on treatment costs (PDF, 3MB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix C: Financial and profitability analysis (PDF, 2.1MB) (23.10.25)
• Appendix D: Cost of capital (PDF, 439KB) (23.10.25)
• Appendix E: Other supporting evidence on market outcomes (PDF, 217KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix F: Supporting evidence on competition between FOPs_ (PDF, 370KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix G: Whether LVG pet care plans provide value for money (PDF, 193KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix H: Supporting evidence for section 10, choice of treatments and referrals (PDF, 273KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix I: Supporting evidence for Section 11, Veterinary medicines (PDF, 376KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix J: Regulation of veterinary medicines (PDF, 482KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix K: Limited Service Providers (PDF, 231KB) (15.10.25)
• Appendix L: Cremations pricing, mark-ups and costs (PDF, 255KB)(15.10.25)
• Glossary (PDF, 197KB) (15.10.25)

Responses to remedies working paper

15 October 2025: The CMA has published responses to the remedies working paper on the consultation page.

Publication date of provisional decision

13 October 2025: The CMA intends to publish the provisional decision in its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK on Wednesday 15 October 2025. The provisional decision will be available on this case page once published.

Extension of market investigation

10 June 2025: The CMA has today decided to extend the statutory deadline for the market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK by 6 months.

• Extension notice (PDF, 178KB) (10.6.25)

The CMA has also published a blog addressing concerns in the veterinary sector by the Inquiry Chair, Martin Coleman, explaining the reasons behind the decision.

Hearing summaries

• Summary of hearing with BVA, BVNA, BSAVA and FIVP (PDF, 114KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with CVS (PDF, 118KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with IVC (PDF, 113KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with Linnaeus (PDF, 110KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with Medivet (PDF, 111KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with Pets at Home (PDF, 113KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with RCVS (PDF, 110KB) (15.5.25)
• Summary of hearing with VetPartners (PDF, 113KB) (15.5.25)

Responses to working papers published on 6 February 2025

• AMTRA (PDF, 189KB) (1.5.25)
• BVA BSAVA BVNA SPVS VMG (PDF, 1.5MB0 (1.5.25)
• BVRA (PDF, 229KB) (1.5.25)
• CVS (PDF, 612KB) (1.5.25)
• FIVP (PDF, 123KB) (1.5.25)
• IVC (PDF, 1.8MB) (1.5.25)
• Linnaeus (PDF, 1.1MB) (1.5.25)
• Linnaeus Annex 1 (PDF, 249KB) (1.5.25)
• Linnaeus Annex 2 (PDF, 366KB) (1.5.25)
• Marlowe Partners (PDF, 194KB) (1.5.25)
• Medivet (PDF, 977KB) (1.5.25)
• Medivet Annex (PDF, 473KB) (1.5.25)
• NOAH (PDF, 298KB) (1.5.25)
• NVS (PDF, 326KB) (1.5.25)
• Pets at Home (PDF, 946KB) (1.5.25)
• Petscribers (PDF, 117KB) (1.5.25)
• RAMP (PDF, 93KB) (1.5.25)
• RCVS Knowledge (PDF, 200KB) (1.5.25)
• RCVS (PDF, 4MB) (1.5.25)
• Reader & Summers (PDF, 540KB) (1.5.25)
• Respondent A (PDF, 169KB) (1.5.25)
• Respondent B (PDF, 276KB) (1.5.25)
• RVC (PDF, 173KB) (1.5.25)
• The Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine (PDF, 191KB) (1.5.25)
• VCMS (PDF, 709KB) (1.5.25)
• Veterinary practice A (PDF, 260KB) (1.5.25)
• Veterinary practice B (PDF, 254KB) (1.5.25)
• VetPartners - Analysis of Local Competition (PDF, 204KB) (1.5.25)
• VetPartners - Business Models, Provision of Veterinary Advice and Consumer Choice (PDF, 416KB) (1.5.25)
• VetPartners - Competition in the Supply of Veterinary Medicines (PDF, 384KB) (1.5.25)
• VetPartners - How People Purchase Veterinary Services (PDF, 320KB) (1.5.25)
• VetPartners - Regulatory Framework for Veterinary Professionals and Veterinary Services (PDF, 260KB) (1.5.25)
• VMD (PDF, 116KB) (1.5.25)
• VSC (PDF, 124KB) (1.5.25)
• XLVet UK Ltd (PDF, 149KB) (1.5.25)
• Zoetis (PDF, 158KB) (1.5.25)

Remedies working paper

1 May 2025: The CMA published a working paper outlining potential remedies linked to the CMA’s market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. The purpose of this working paper is to consult with vet businesses, veterinary professionals and other interested parties on the likely impact of the remedies we are considering.

Inquiry Chair speech

21 March 2025: The CMA Inquiry Chair, Martin Coleman provided an update on the market investigation in a speech delivered at the BSAVA Congress.

• Vets Market Investigation: An Update from the Inquiry Chair (21.3.25)

Working papers

6 Feburary 2025: The CMA has published a series of working papers, setting out our current assessment of the evidence we have gathered and our emerging views.

• Overview (PDF, 269KB) (6.2.25)

• How people purchase veterinary services (PDF, 1.4MB) (6.2.25)

• Business models, provision of veterinary advice and consumer choice (PDF, 1.1MB) (6.2.25)

• Competition in the supply of veterinary medicines (PDF, 928KB) (6.2.25)

• Regulatory framework for veterinary professionals and veterinary services (PDF, 1MB) (6.2.25)

• Analysis of local competition (PDF, 759KB) (6.2.25)

External research papers

• Qualitative research with veterinary professionals by Revealing Reality (PDF, 1.4MB) (6.2.25)

• Vet users survey final report by Accent (PDF, 2.4MB) (6.2.25)

• Accent user survey Q136 free text replies (PDF, 391KB) (6.2.25)

• Accent vet user research data tables (XLSX, 9.3MB) (6.2.25)

• Accent vet user research dataset (XLSX, 5.7MB) (6.2.25)

• Accent vet user research dataset (CSV, 15.6MB) (6.2.25)

Responses to working paper: approach to profitability and financial analysis

• Respondent A (PDF, 95KB) (3.1.25)
• Joint response: BVA, BSAVA, BVNA, SPVS, VMG (PDF, 330KB) (3.1.25)
• CVS (PDF, 130KB) (3.1.25)
• CVS annex (PDF, 494KB) (3.1.25)
• Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) (PDF, 120KB) (3.1.25)
• IVC Evidensia (PDF, 448KB) (3.1.25)
• Linnaeus (PDF, 403KB) (3.1.25)
• Medivet (PDF, 233KB) (3.1.25)
• Medivet annex (PDF, 173KB) (3.1.25)
• Moore Scarrott Veterinary (PDF, 133KB) (3.1.25)
• Pets at Home (PDF, 601KB) (3.1.25)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (PDF, 179KB) (3.1.25)
• Tweedy Browne (PDF, 231KB) (3.1.25)
• Vet Partners (PDF, 225KB) (3.1.25)

Summaries of roundtable discussions

4 December 2024: The CMA Inquiry Group and case team have held a series of roundtables to assist in our understanding of the market for veterinary services for household pets in the UK. Summaries of those roundtables are published here.

• Summary of academic roundtable discussions (PDF, 130KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of animal charity roundtable discussions (PDF, 121KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of consumer roundtable discussions (PDF, 134KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of Edinburgh roundtable discussions (PDF, 130KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of Manchester roundtable discussions (PDF, 147KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of Swansea roundtable discussions (PDF, 122KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of vet nurses roundtable discussions (PDF, 151KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of vet students and new graduates roundtable discussions (PDF, 129KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of vets who recently set up a practice roundtable discussions (PDF, 124KB) (4.12.24)
• Summary of vets who work at large corporate groups roundtable discussions (PDF, 125KB) (4.12.24)

Inquiry Chair speech

15 November 2024: The CMA Inquiry Chair, Martin Coleman provided an update on the market investigation in a speech delivered at the BVA Congress at the London Vet Show.

• Vets Market Investigation update from the Inquiry Chair (15.11.24)

Approach to profitability and financial analysis

1 November 2024: The CMA has published a working paper setting out how it plans to carry out profitability and financial analysis. It explains our proposed methodology, including the time period we plan to examine, what measures of profitability we intend to assess, and how we will examine the profitability of different providers of veterinary services.

The deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 22 November 2024.

• Working paper (PDF, 599KB) (1.11.24)

Appointment of veterinary advisory panel

25 September 2024: To assist in the market investigation the CMA Inquiry Group have appointed two veterinary nurses and four veterinary surgeons to our veterinary advisory panel. The purpose of the advisory panel is to provide the Group with insight and analysis on an ad hoc basis on matters relating to practising as a veterinary nurse and veterinary surgeon.

• Appointees to the CMA’s veterinary advisory panel (PDF, 124KB) (25.9.24)

• Press release: Vets Market Investigation: CMA updates on ‘behind the scenes’ progress (25.9.24)

Consumer survey

Draft consumer survey invitation letter

16 October 2024: The CMA has published a draft consumer survey invitation letter. The deadline for comments is midday on Tuesday 22 October 2024.

• Draft consumer survey invitation letter notice (PDF, 97KB) (16.10.24)

• Draft consumer survey invitation letter (PDF, 244KB) (16.10.24)

Draft consumer survey

16 September 2024: The CMA published documents for comment in relation to a consumer survey. The deadline for comments on the draft questionnaire below was 11am on Monday 23 September 2024.

• Draft questionnaire notice (PDF, 96KB) (16.9.24)

• Draft questionnaire (PDF, 261KB) (16.9.24)

Responses to issues statement

• Respondent A (PDF, 560KB) (20.8.24)
• Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) (PDF, 294KB) (20.8.24)
• Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) (PDF, 142KB) (20.8.24)
• AURA (PDF, 1,173KB) (20.8.24)
• British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) (PDF, 244KB) (20.8.24)
• BVA BSAVA SPVS VMG (PDF, 276KB) (20.8.24)
• BVNA (PDF, 235KB) (20.8.24)
• CVS (PDF, 187KB) (20.8.24)
• David Reader and Scott Summers (PDF, 438KB) (20.8.24)
• Dogs Trust (PDF, 163KB) (20.8.24)
• Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) (PDF, 202KB) (20.8.24)
• IVC Evidensia (PDF, 347KB) (20.8.24)
• Linnaeus (PDF, 275KB) (20.8.24)
• Medivet (PDF, 338KB) (20.8.24)
• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) (PDF, 330KB) (20.8.24)
• Naturewatch Foundation (PDF, 303KB) (20.8.24)
• Pets at Home (PAH) (PDF, 452KB) (20.8.24)
• RCVS Knowledge (PDF, 359KB) (20.8.24)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) (PDF, 410KB) (20.8.24)
• Snoots (PDF, 204KB) (20.8.24)
• VetAI (PDF, 244KB) (20.8.24)
• Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS) (PDF, 303KB) (20.8.24)
• Vet Partners (PDF, 244KB) (20.8.24)
• Voy Vet Cinic (PDF, 245KB) (20.8.24)
• Which (PDF, 86KB) (20.8.24)

Issues statement

9 July 2024: The issues statement sets out initial theories on what might be affecting competition, potential remedies and how we intend to approach our investigation. Parties are invited to provide submissions commenting on the issues and possible remedies. The deadline for submissions is 30 July 2024.

• Issues statement (PDF, 327KB) (9.7.24)
• Glossary (PDF, 195KB) (updated 6.2.25)

Frequently asked questions (YouTube)

Inquiry group appointed

23 May 2024: The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 23 May 2024.

Martin Coleman (Inquiry Chair), Humphrey Battcock, Robin Cohen, Susan Hankey, and Keith Richards.

Board steer

23 May 2024: The CMA Board’s advisory steer to the inquiry group can be found below:

• Board advisory steer (PDF, 130KB) (23.5.24)

Terms of reference

23 May 2024: The terms of reference for the CMA’s investigation can be found below:

• Terms of reference (PDF, 78KB) (23.5.24)

Case opened

23 May 2024: The CMA has decided to refer the supply of veterinary services for household pets in the United Kingdom for a market investigation.

• Press notice: CMA presses ahead with full investigation into vets market (23.5.24)

Responses to the consultation

23 May 2024: The responses to the consultation on a proposal to make a market investigation reference can be found below:

• Consultation on the proposal to make a market investigation reference into veterinary services for household pets in the UK

Consumer tips

23 May 2024: The CMA’s consumer tips can be found below:

• Choosing a vet practice and treatments for your pet

Market investigation reference

23 May 2024: The final report of the consultation and decision to make a market investigation reference can be found below:

• Final report of the consultation (PDF, 627KB) (23.5.24)

CMA launches investigation into the veterinary sector video (YouTube)

Consultation on a market investigation reference

12 March 2024: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published an update report and consulted on whether to launch a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. Having considered responses to the consultation, the CMA has decided to make a market investigation reference into the supply of veterinary services for household pets in the United Kingdom.

The consultation closed at 5pm on 11 April 2024.

The CMA also published a report of market research commissioned during the market review.

• Consultation on the proposal to make a market investigation reference into veterinary services for household pets in the UK (12.3.24)

• Qualitative Research on Pet Owners’ Experiences of Buying Veterinary Services in the UK (PDF, 791KB) (12.3.24)

• Press notice: CMA identifies multiple concerns in UK vets market (12.3.24)

Call for information

On 7 September 2023: the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a call for information inviting pet owners, people who work in veterinary practices and people who supply products and services to the veterinary services market to share their thoughts on the veterinary market for pets.

This call for information was open for a period of six weeks.

• Press notice: CMA launches review of vet sector (7.9.23)

Timetable

The consultation period closed at 5pm on 11 April 2024.

In a market investigation, an inquiry group is the independent panel that is required to decide whether there is a prevention, restriction, or distortion of competition. The phases of a market investigation are subject to statutory time limits. The CMA must generally conclude a market investigation in 18 months and implement remedies in six months.

Contact

VetsMI@cma.gov.uk

Please note, we are unable to provide any information beyond what is shared on our case page. You can subscribe to email alerts which will inform you when new information has been added to the case page.

If you are a member of the public contacting us, please be aware that the CMA has no powers to take action or open a case on behalf of an individual consumer or business (for example, to pursue compensation, intervene in disputes or provide advice). We also cannot engage in correspondence with everyone who contacts us, however, we may get in touch if we require any further information.

Personal information

Any personal data you provide us will be handled in accordance with our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Our personal information charter sets out the standards you can expect from us when we collect, use or share personal data and provides details of your rights in relation to that data and how to contact us.

How we may use your information

We are carrying out this work under section 5 of the Enterprise Act 2002, which gives the CMA the power to obtain, compile and keep under review information about matters relating to its functions.

Published 7 September 2023

Last updated 24 March 2026 + show all updates

1. 24 March 2026

   Parts A and B of final report, consultation responses, hearing summaries and roundtable summaries published.

2. 24 March 2026

   Summary of final report and foreword published and timetable updated.

3. 20 March 2026

   Publication date of final report confirmed.

4. 16 December 2025

   Consumer research report published and admin timetable updated.

5. 4 November 2025

   Link to webinar recording and slides added.

6. 23 October 2025

   Appendix C and Appendix D of provisional decision published.

7. 15 October 2025

   Provisional decision report, appendices and glossary published.

8. 15 October 2025

   Provisional findings published.

9. 13 October 2025

   Publication date of provisional decision confirmed.

10. 18 September 2025

    Administrative timetable updated

11. 10 June 2025

    Extension of market investigation published and administrative timetable updated.

12. 15 May 2025

    Hearing summaries published.

13. 1 May 2025

    Responses to 6 February 2025 working papers published.

14. 1 May 2025

    Remedies working paper consultation published.

15. 31 March 2025

    Administrative timetable updated.

16. 21 March 2025

    Inquiry Chair speech published.

17. 6 February 2025

    Working papers and external research papers published. Updated glossary published.

18. 3 January 2025

    Responses to working paper published.

19. 4 December 2024

    Roundtable summaries published.

20. 1 November 2024

    Approach to profitability and financial analysis published

21. 16 October 2024

    Draft consumer survey invitation letter notice, and draft invitation letter published.

22. 25 September 2024

    Administrative timetable updated and appointment of veterinary advisory panel published.

23. 16 September 2024

    Draft questionnaire notice and questions published

24. 20 August 2024

    Responses to issues statement published.

25. 9 July 2024

    Issues statement published

26. 10 June 2024

    Administrative timetable published.

27. 23 May 2024

    Final report of the consultation and decision to make a market investigation reference published.

28. 12 March 2024

    Update report published launching consultation on whether to launch a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.

29. 19 October 2023

    Questionnaires closed.

30. 7 September 2023

    First published.