How much does a vet visit cost in the UK in 2026?

Vet care prices in the UK have always been a black box. Two practices on the same high street can charge wildly different fees for the same service, and there has been no easy way to compare. The 2026 CMA reforms aim to fix this by requiring every UK vet practice to publish standardised price lists. Until those lists are fully online, here is what to expect. ## Standard consultations A first consultation typically costs between £35 and £80. Practices in central London, Edinburgh and Brighton tend to sit at the upper end of that range. Smaller independent practices in the Midlands and the North often charge under £45. Follow-up consultations are usually £5 to £15 cheaper than the first visit. ## Vaccinations The annual booster ranges from £40 to £85 depending on the species and the practice. Puppy or kitten primary courses are slightly more, often £55 to £100 for the full course of two injections plus a check-up. ## Neutering This is where the gap widens. Cat castrations start at around £60, while bitch spays for a large breed dog can run from £200 to £400 at a first-opinion practice, or significantly more at a referral hospital. Always ask whether the quote includes pre-op blood tests, post-op pain relief and the buster collar. ## Emergency cover Out-of-hours emergency consultations typically cost £150 to £250 just to be seen, before any treatment. Many practices outsource overnight cover to dedicated emergency hospitals such as Vets Now, which has its own pricing. ## Prescription fees This is the silent line on most bills. Most practices charge £15 to £25 for the first written prescription and £10 to £15 for each additional one in the same visit. Under the new CMA rules these fees must now be displayed on the practice's profile. ## How to compare fairly Always compare on like-for-like services and check whether VAT is included. VetPrice UK indexes 4,700+ UK practices and breaks pricing down by pet weight, which is the only honest way to compare neutering and surgery costs. When in doubt, ask for an itemised written quote before any treatment. Reputable practices will give you one without resistance.