# Vet Rate

> Free, honest, independent vet price comparison for the UK. No vet pays to be listed or ranked.

## Pages
- [Find a vet](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/): search by postcode; compare distance, opening times, Google ratings and published prices for dogs and cats; see who owns each practice.
- [How to choose a vet](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/choosing-a-vet.html): what matters to pet owners (CMA research), independent vs group-owned practices, questions to ask about treatment, medicines, referrals and cremation, switching, and prices at the practices we cover.
- [Vet visit toolkit](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/vet-visit-toolkit.html): appointment checklist, written estimate request template, and UK pet cremation price guidance.
- [Pet medicine price checker](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/medicine-prices.html): weekly online prices for common prescription pet medicines, and a savings calculator (prescription fee plus online price vs practice price).

## What pet owners look for (CMA Vet Users Survey, 2,376 owners)
- Location / close to home: 68%
- Recommended by friends or family: 44%
- Good impression of the practice, staff or website: 29%
- Appointment availability: 28%
- Services offered: 26%
- Opening hours: 26%
- Price: 25%
- Parking and transport: 25%
- Independent or group ownership: 21%
- Online reviews: 19%

## Typical vet prices at the practices we cover (median, range; checked weekly)
- Vet consultation: £62.50 (£15–£480)
- Dog annual booster: £76 (£21–£170)
- Cat annual booster: £76.69 (£11–£170)
- Puppy vaccination course: £105 (£29.50–£287)
- Kitten vaccination course: £105 (£26–£277)
- Kennel cough vaccine: £60 (£18–£118.50)
- Dog castration (small dog): £275 (£82.56–£756)
- Dog spay (small dog): £370 (£119.44–£669)
- Cat castration: £111 (£35–£250)
- Cat spay: £157 (£45–£350)
- Dental (from): £435 (£10–£1100)
- Written prescription: £27 (£11–£51)
- Microchipping: £30 (£10–£84.17)
- Animal health certificate: £309 (£48–£471.56)

## Ownership of the practices we cover
- Independent: 1473
- Inspiring Vet Care: 810
- Pets at Home: 452
- CVS Group: 425
- Medivet: 320
- VetPartners: 318
- Linnaeus: 177
- Vets Now: 20
- Animal Trust Vets CIC: 15
- Pet Practice: 13
- Kin Vet Community: 13
- Creature Comforts Vets: 9
- Hello Vet: 9
- DNA Vetcare: 6
- Grange Vets: 6
- Golden Valley Veterinary Hospital: 5
- Goddard Veterinary Group: 5
- Bishopton Veterinary Group: 5
- Pennard Vets (employee-owned group): 5
- St James Veterinary Group: 5
- Bay Vet Group: 4
- Stowe Veterinary Group: 4
- Watkins & Tasker Vets: 3
- RSPCA: 3
- Thrums Vets: 3
- Hook Norton Veterinary Group: 3
- Donaldson's Vets Limited: 3
- The Partridge Practices: 3
- Mote Park Veterinary Group: 3
- MPV Group: 3
- North Star Vets: 3
- Arun Veterinary Group: 2
- Fernlea Veterinary Clinic: 2
- University of Liverpool: 2
- Little Hoppers Animal Hospital Group: 2
- The Pet Vet Morden: 1
- Nurture Vet GP and Dentist: 1
- Paragon Veterinary Group: 1
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh: 1
- Synergy Farm Health Ltd: 1
- Hafren Veterinary Group: 1
- Towcester Group: 1

## Questions and answers
### How do most people choose a vet?
Mostly by location and recommendation. In the CMA's survey of 2,376 pet owners, 68% said location was a factor and 44% said a recommendation from friends or family. Only about a quarter mentioned price.

### Is the cheapest vet the best choice?
Not always. A low consultation fee can sit alongside higher prices for vaccinations, neutering or medicines, and being close by, easy to get an appointment with and well recommended often matters more day to day. Compare the services your pet will need over a year.

### Can I get a written estimate before treatment?
Yes, you can ask for one for any treatment. The CMA found only 43% of owners were given prices before non-routine treatment, and many said final bills were higher than expected. Under the CMA's new rules, practices must give a written estimate when treatment is likely to cost £500 or more: from 23 June 2027 at large groups and 23 September 2027 at smaller practices.

### Can I buy my pet's medicines online?
Yes. Ask your vet for a written prescription and buy the medicine from an online pharmacy. The CMA found common medicines can be 50–60% cheaper online, saving many owners £200–£300 a year. Prescription fees will be capped at £21.40 for the first medicine and £12.70 for each extra one: from 23 March 2027 at large groups and 23 September 2027 at smaller practices.

### How do I know if my vet is independent?
Ask, or check our listing: we show the owner of every practice. The CMA found fewer than half of customers at group-owned practices knew their vet was part of a group.

### Is a group-owned vet worse than an independent one?
Not necessarily. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons says all types of practice can provide excellent care. Group practices may offer more facilities, links to specialist referral hospitals and, at some groups, lower prices; independents often offer more continuity and scored higher on satisfaction in the CMA's survey. Choose on what matters to you: location, availability, recommendations and price.

### Is it easy to switch vets?
Usually. Most owners never switch, but 85% told the CMA they could and 64% thought it would be easy. People switch most often after moving home, or because they were unhappy with care or advice. Register with the new practice and ask them to request your pet's records.

### How much does a vet consultation cost?
Across the 2194 practices we cover that publish prices, a standard consultation costs £15 to £480, with a median of £62.50 (checked 26 October 2026).

### How much does it cost to neuter a dog or cat?
For a small dog (traditional surgery), castration has a median of £275 and spaying £370; bigger dogs cost more. Cat castration has a median of £111 and cat spaying £157.

### Are independent vets cheaper?
Among the practices we cover, slightly on average. Independent practices average £60.29 for a dog consultation against £63.85 at group-owned practices, and £62.55 against £77.41 for a dog booster.

### Is Vet Rate free and independent?
Yes. It's free to use, independent, and no vet pays to be listed or ranked.

## Sources
- CMA final report summary: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterinary-services-for-household-pets-final-decision-report/summary-of-the-final-report-html
- CMA final report Part A (pet owners survey, Table 8.1): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c2ad1b3ed0546101e0dbe8/Final_decision_report_-_Part_A__24.3.26_.pdf
- CMA guidance on the Order (dates and fee caps): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/large-veterinary-businesses-complying-with-the-cmas-order

## Vet visit toolkit
Page: https://www.vetrate.co.uk/vet-visit-toolkit.html

### Prepare for your appointment
- Before you book: Write down the symptoms: when they started, how often they happen, and anything that makes them better or worse. If the problem comes and goes (limping, coughing, odd breathing, a fit), film a short video on your phone. Check your insurance: the excess, what’s covered, and whether your insurer needs to approve treatment first. Ask the price of the appointment when you book, and whether there’s a charge for follow-up visits.
- What to take with you: Vaccination card or records, and any previous test results or letters from other vets. Names and doses of every medicine, flea and worm treatment (or just bring the packets). What your pet eats, including treats and supplements. A fresh urine or poo sample in a clean container, if the practice asked for one. Cats in a secure carrier with a towel over it; dogs on a short lead.
- Questions to ask in the room: What do you think is wrong, and how sure are you? What are the options, including a simpler one and one that fits my budget? What happens if we wait? What will each option cost? Can I have that in writing? Can I have a written prescription to buy the medicine elsewhere? Is it an own-brand medicine, or is there a cheaper equivalent? What signs mean I should call you back, and who do I call at night or at the weekend?
- Before you leave: Ask for an itemised bill and check it matches what you agreed. Ask about anything you don’t recognise. If you want to buy medicines online, ask for the written prescription now. Book any follow-up and ask whether it is charged. Make a note of how to give medicines and care for your pet at home.

### Typical UK individual cremation prices (CMA, 12 months to Sept 2024; via large vet groups vs direct from independent crematoria)
- Cat: £186.87 vs £160
- Small dog: £214.37 vs £182.50
- Medium dog: £234.23 vs £208.50
- Large dog: £272.11 vs £240
- Extra-large dog: £313.30 vs £275

### Typical UK communal cremation prices (ManyPets survey, Jan 2025)
- Cat: £89.29
- Small dog: £104.59
- Large dog: £137.34

### Toolkit questions
#### What should I take to a vet appointment?
Your pet's vaccination records, the names and doses of any medicines and flea or worm treatments, what your pet eats, notes or a video of the symptoms, and your insurance details. Cats should travel in a secure carrier and dogs on a lead.

#### Can I ask my vet for a written estimate?
Yes. You can ask for a written estimate for any treatment. Under the Competition and Markets Authority's new rules, practices must give one when treatment is likely to cost £500 or more, including VAT: from 23 June 2027 at large groups and 23 September 2027 at smaller practices.

#### How much does pet cremation cost in the UK?
The CMA found typical individual cremation prices through large vet groups of about £187 for a cat and £214–£313 for a dog depending on size (2024). Independent crematoria charged about £160 for a cat and £183–£275 for a dog. Communal cremation, where ashes aren't returned, is usually two to five times cheaper.

#### What can I do if I'm unhappy with my vet?
Talk to the practice first, then complain in writing. From 23 March 2027 every practice must have a written complaints process: a complaint not settled within 10 working days must be acknowledged within 5 more, with a full written reply within 8 weeks. If it still isn't resolved you can ask for mediation, which the practice must take part in. There is no vet ombudsman.

#### Can I arrange my pet's cremation myself?
Yes. You don't have to use the crematorium your vet uses. You can contact a pet crematorium directly; many will collect from the practice or your home. Ask whether it is owned by a vet group, as the CMA now requires crematoria to make this clear.


## Pet medicine price checker
Page: https://www.vetrate.co.uk/medicine-prices.html
Online prices checked weekly (last 26 October 2026) at Pet Drugs Online (owned by Inspiring Vet Care), Animed (owned by CVS Group). Lowest price per unit across pack sizes:

- Apoquel 3.6mg tablets (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £1.10 per tablet; Animed £1.12 per tablet
- Apoquel 5.4mg tablets (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £1.10 per tablet; Animed £1.12 per tablet
- Apoquel 16mg tablets (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £2.04 per tablet; Animed £2.08 per tablet
- Atopica 10mg capsules (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £2.00 per capsule; Animed £1.87 per capsule
- Atopica 25mg capsules (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £2.00 per capsule; Animed £1.85 per capsule
- Atopica 50mg capsules (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £3.30 per capsule; Animed £3.30 per capsule
- Atopica 100mg capsules (Itchy skin): Pet Drugs Online £5.84 per capsule; Animed £5.85 per capsule
- Vetmedin 1.25mg chewable tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £0.28 per tablet; Animed £0.28 per tablet
- Vetmedin 5mg chewable tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £0.82 per tablet; Animed £0.82 per tablet
- Vetmedin 10mg chewable tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £1.49 per tablet; Animed £1.49 per tablet
- Vetmedin 5mg capsules (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £0.60 per capsule; Animed £0.60 per capsule
- Cardisure 1.25mg tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £0.35 per tablet; Animed £0.35 per tablet
- Cardisure 2.5mg tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £0.56 per tablet; Animed £0.56 per tablet
- Cardisure 5mg tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £1.03 per tablet; Animed £1.03 per tablet
- Cardisure 10mg tablets (Heart): Pet Drugs Online £1.46 per tablet; Animed £1.46 per tablet
- Fortekor 2.5mg tablets (Heart and kidneys): Pet Drugs Online £0.60 per tablet; Animed £0.60 per tablet
- Fortekor 5mg tablets (Heart and kidneys): Pet Drugs Online £0.96 per tablet; Animed £1.15 per tablet
- Fortekor 20mg tablets (Heart and kidneys): Pet Drugs Online £2.10 per tablet; Animed £2.39 per tablet
- Metacam 1.5mg/ml oral suspension (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.13 per ml; Animed £0.13 per ml
- Metacam 0.5mg/ml oral suspension (cats) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.66 per ml; Animed £0.66 per ml
- Loxicom 1.5mg/ml oral suspension (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.14 per ml; Animed £0.21 per ml
- Meloxidyl 1.5mg/ml oral suspension (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.22 per ml; Animed £0.40 per ml
- Rimadyl 20mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.26 per tablet; Animed £0.27 per tablet
- Rimadyl 50mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.48 per tablet; Animed £0.48 per tablet
- Rimadyl 100mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.71 per tablet; Animed £0.71 per tablet
- Previcox 57mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.60 per tablet; Animed £0.67 per tablet
- Previcox 227mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.98 per tablet; Animed £0.99 per tablet
- Onsior 5mg tablets (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.48 per tablet; Animed £0.48 per tablet
- Onsior 10mg tablets (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.68 per tablet; Animed £0.68 per tablet
- Onsior 20mg tablets (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.95 per tablet; Animed £0.95 per tablet
- Onsior 40mg tablets (dogs) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £1.25 per tablet; Animed £1.25 per tablet
- Onsior 6mg tablets (cats) (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.68 per tablet; Animed £0.68 per tablet
- Galliprant 20mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £0.92 per tablet; Animed £0.86 per tablet
- Galliprant 60mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £1.79 per tablet; Animed £1.68 per tablet
- Galliprant 100mg tablets (Pain and arthritis): Pet Drugs Online £2.62 per tablet; Animed £2.53 per tablet
- Felimazole 1.25mg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.18 per tablet; Animed £0.22 per tablet
- Felimazole 2.5mg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.29 per tablet; Animed £0.36 per tablet
- Felimazole 5mg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.41 per tablet; Animed £0.51 per tablet
- Vidalta 10mg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.58 per tablet; Animed £0.62 per tablet
- Vidalta 15mg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.76 per tablet; Animed £0.79 per tablet
- Thyforon 200mcg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.16 per tablet; Animed £0.18 per tablet
- Thyforon 400mcg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.25 per tablet; Animed £0.25 per tablet
- Thyforon 800mcg tablets (Thyroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.40 per tablet; Animed £0.44 per tablet
- Vetoryl 5mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £1.48 per capsule; Animed £1.48 per capsule
- Vetoryl 10mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £1.68 per capsule; Animed £1.68 per capsule
- Vetoryl 20mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £2.03 per capsule
- Vetoryl 30mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £2.09 per capsule; Animed £2.09 per capsule
- Vetoryl 60mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £2.66 per capsule; Animed £2.66 per capsule
- Vetoryl 120mg capsules (Cushing’s): Pet Drugs Online £4.10 per capsule; Animed £4.10 per capsule
- Semintra 4mg/ml oral solution (Kidneys): Pet Drugs Online £0.99 per ml; Animed £0.99 per ml
- Prednicare 1mg tablets (Steroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.07 per tablet
- Prednicare 5mg tablets (Steroid): Pet Drugs Online £0.08 per tablet; Animed £0.08 per tablet
- Bravecto chew, dogs 2–4.5kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £15.73 per chew; Animed £15.73 per chew
- Bravecto chew, dogs 4.5–10kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £18.08 per chew; Animed £19.49 per chew
- Bravecto chew, dogs 10–20kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £20.71 per chew; Animed £21.99 per chew
- Bravecto chew, dogs 20–40kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £22.74 per chew; Animed £23.99 per chew
- Bravecto chew, dogs 40–56kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £23.81 per chew; Animed £24.35 per chew
- Bravecto spot-on, cats 1.2–2.8kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £18.08 per pipette; Animed £20.30 per pipette
- Bravecto spot-on, cats 2.8–6.25kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £18.62 per pipette; Animed £24.49 per pipette
- Bravecto spot-on, cats 6.25–12.5kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £18.62 per pipette; Animed £25.82 per pipette
- NexGard Spectra, dogs 1.35–3.5kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £6.66 per chew; Animed £6.26 per chew
- NexGard Spectra, dogs 3.5–7.5kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £7.66 per chew; Animed £7.33 per chew
- NexGard Spectra, dogs 7.5–15kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £8.33 per chew; Animed £8.00 per chew
- NexGard Spectra, dogs 15–30kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £9.66 per chew; Animed £9.50 per chew
- NexGard Spectra, dogs 30–60kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £11.00 per chew; Animed £10.97 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 1.25–2.5kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £5.08 per chew; Animed £6.84 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 2.5–5kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £5.16 per chew; Animed £6.84 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 5–10kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £5.59 per chew; Animed £7.19 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 10–20kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £5.99 per chew; Animed £8.16 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 20–40kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £7.32 per chew; Animed £9.25 per chew
- Simparica Trio, dogs 40–60kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £8.49 per chew; Animed £10.87 per chew
- Credelio chew, dogs 5.5–11kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £4.56 per chew; Animed £6.57 per chew
- Credelio chew, dogs 11–22kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £5.00 per chew; Animed £6.37 per chew
- Credelio chew, dogs 22–45kg (Fleas and ticks): Pet Drugs Online £5.66 per chew; Animed £7.42 per chew
- Stronghold Plus spot-on, cats 2.5–5kg (Fleas, ticks and worms): Pet Drugs Online £4.58 per pipette; Animed £6.60 per pipette
- Advocate spot-on, cats 4–8kg (Fleas and worms): Pet Drugs Online £3.75 per pipette; Animed £3.75 per pipette
- Advocate spot-on, dogs 10–25kg (Fleas and worms): Pet Drugs Online £4.96 per pipette; Animed £4.96 per pipette
- Milbemax wormer, dogs 5–25kg (Worms): Animed £5.62 per tablet
- Milbemax wormer, cats 2–8kg (Worms): Pet Drugs Online £3.62 per tablet; Animed £4.41 per tablet

### Medicine questions
#### Is it cheaper to buy pet medicines online?
Often. The CMA found online pharmacies typically charge 50–60% less than vet practices, saving owners around £200–£300 a year on average. You'll need a written prescription. The CMA is capping prescription fees at £21.40 for the first medicine and £12.70 for each extra one on the same prescription, from 23 March 2027 at large groups and 23 September 2027 at smaller practices.

#### What is an own-brand medicine?
Some vet groups sell medicines under their own brand name. The same medicine, or a clinically equivalent one, may be sold elsewhere under its usual name, often for less. From 23 June 2027 (large groups) and 23 September 2027 (smaller practices), vets must tell you when they prescribe an own-brand medicine and give you the name of the equivalent product sold elsewhere.

#### How do I buy my pet's medicine online?
Ask your vet for a written prescription, check it shows the medicine, strength and amount you need, then order from a UK online retailer on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's register. Ask the pharmacy how it wants the prescription: many ask for the original paper copy by post, or for your vet to send it to them directly.

#### Which online pharmacies does Vet Rate check?
Pet Drugs Online and Animed, two of the largest UK online vet pharmacies. Both are owned by vet groups: Pet Drugs Online by Inspiring Vet Care and Animed by CVS Group. Other online pharmacies may be cheaper, so it's worth comparing.

#### How often are the medicine prices updated?
Every week. We read the price of every pack size on each pharmacy's own product page and show the lowest price per tablet, capsule, pipette or ml. Prices can change at any time, so check the final price before you order.

#### Is buying online always cheaper?
Not always. For a cheap or short course of medicine, the prescription fee and delivery can cost more than you save. Our calculator adds these in so you can see whether it's worth it for your pet.


## How we rank
Page: https://www.vetrate.co.uk/how-we-rank.html
- Shows the 12 nearest open practices within 15 miles of the postcode (25 miles if fewer than 10), nearest first as standard; other orders: Google rating, lowest published price, name. Google details load when a practice is opened.
- Price labels compare with the area median for that service and pet; within 5% is 'about the median'.
- No paid listings, paid rankings, featured placements or commission. Every known practice in the area is listed.
- Price publishing tracker (https://www.vetrate.co.uk/price-publishing-tracker.html): 71.7% of 3,968 UK vet practices have a price list online as of 27 October 2026; by owner type and postcode area, tracked weekly.

## For vet practices
- [Register a practice](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/register.html): free form to add a missing practice or correct a listing.
- [Terms of use](https://www.vetrate.co.uk/terms.html): prices are guides; corrections and removal requests.