The Competition and Markets Authority is the principal competition regulator in the UK. It is a non-ministerial government department responsible for strengthening business competition and preventing and reducing anti-competitive activities.  

What has the CMA investigated?  

The CMA launched an initial review looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets in the UK in September 2023 and published a report and ‘Consultation on proposed Market Investigation Reference’ in March 2024. The review explored how well the market is working for pet owners, including whether they are receiving the information they need at the right time to get appropriate treatment for their pets. The CMA’s concerns were:   

1. Consumers are getting the information they need, at the right time, to make informed decisions 

1. A limited choice of vet businesses in some local areas is impacting pet owners 

1. Profits earned are consistent with the levels expected in a competitive market 

1. Vet businesses have the incentive and ability to limit consumer choice when providing treatments or recommending related services, particularly when they are part of large integrated groups 

1. The regulatory framework is preventing the market from functioning as well as it could 

On 23 May 2024, the CMA launched a formal 'market investigation' to look at these concerns in more depth. Following more than two years of evidence gathering and consultation, the CMA concluded its investigation publishing its final decision report on 25 March 2026.  It is expected that the CMA’s remedies will come into force in September 2026, although business will have until early 2027 to comply with the orders.  

A full list of the CMA’s remedies can be found here. 

We are waiting for the CMA to confirm when vet businesses will need to comply with its remedies, however we know that smaller businesses will have longer to comply than larger businesses or those that are part of a Large Veterinary Group.  

The Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) (VSA) is very old and regulates individual vets not veterinary businesses. This means the RCVS has little control over the commercial and client facing aspects of veterinary practice. The CMA has come out in support of reform of the current VSA, and the introduction regulation of vet businesses.  

• Transparency around pricing – price lists, estimates, discussion (contextualised care) 
• Transparency of ownership of the practice and of related services 
• Prescribing and dispensing veterinary medicines