Guidance

Choosing a vet practice and treatments for your pet

Published 23 May 2024

Introduction

Pet owners are responsible for making all sorts of choices about the care their pets receive.

As part of that care, you decide which vet practice to use and what treatments to buy, with advice from your vet.

It’s important those decisions are right for you and your pet.

Having the right information, and knowing what questions to ask can help when making decisions, including:

• choosing a vet practice
• deciding what treatments to buy (including referrals for tests, treatment or surgery)
• buying prescription medication (medicines that a vet has prescribed or told you to use)

Find a veterinary practice using the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons find a vet database.

Choosing a vet practice

Look further than the closest vet

When looking for a vet practice, research shows that pet owners are more likely to find a practice that:

• is near to their home
• they can easily get to and access
• people have recommended

There are other things that you may want to think about when choosing a vet practice.

Pricing

Vet practices can often charge the same price for the same treatment and services, so it is a good idea to check and compare prices across different practices.

Prices are often available on vet practice websites, or you can ask for a price-list directly from the business.

It’s worth checking prices for some of the most common treatments and services that pets are likely to need, including:

• consultations
• prescriptions
• annual vaccinations
• first vaccinations for puppies or kittens
• pet passports
• microchipping
• neutering or spaying a dog or cat

Ownership

Vet practices can be independently owned or part of a large corporate chain.

You can check who owns a particular vet practice. The information can be available on their website, or if you are unsure, you can ask them directly.

Size and facilities

Vet practices can be different sizes, have different numbers of staff, and can vary in the treatment and services they offer.

For example, when thinking about using a vet practice, consider whether you might prefer to travel further to one that has more on-site facilities, more staff or longer opening hours.

Payment plans

Some vet practices might offer payment plans, which allow for the cost of veterinary care to be spread across a number of payments, in some cases.

In order to do this, the vet business must be registered by the Financial Conduct Authority to extend credit and not every vet practice has chosen to do this.

If this is important to you, check if the vet practice offers this.

Out of hours services

Vet practices should offer an out of hours service. If this is important to you, check who provides it.

Some vet practices provide the service themselves, and some use a third party.

If they use a third party, you can check where they are located, as they may be some distance from where you live.

Treatment and services

Ask if there are other treatment options

Vets provide expert advice when your pet is unwell or injured, and it’s important they understand any queries or concerns you may have when they are advising you.

If you are unclear or concerned about any recommended treatment or the affordability of treatment, then it’s important to discuss this with your vet.

You can also ask about alternative options to the recommended treatment.

If you have concerns about cost or affordability, discuss this with the vet practice, there may be options available (for example providing the treatment in stages, to spread the cost).

If your pet needs to be referred to a specialist for surgery or tests, it’s possible to ask for alternative providers who may offer a lower cost, or are in a more convenient location for you.

Check with the vet how urgent the treatment is, so you know if you or the vet can explore alternative options.

Before you proceed with any treatment, make sure you understand what the likely outcome may be for your pet and how much the treatment will cost (most of the time this will be an estimate and not a fixed price).

Make sure you also understand whether further treatment might be necessary.

Considering the costs and asking for options does not mean you don’t care for your pet or trust your vet.

Prescription medication

Consider buying medication elsewhere

It may be convenient to purchase prescription medication directly from your vet practice, and in some emergency situations there may be no choice.

Pet owners do not always have to buy medication from their veterinary practice.

Vet practices can provide a prescription for the medication, which allows you to purchase it elsewhere, if it is not urgently required (for example, from an online medication supplier).

There is usually a fee for a prescription if you are not buying the medication directly from the vet, but even including this fee, in some cases, it can still be cheaper to buy the medication elsewhere.

You can find accredited online suppliers on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate pages.

If you don’t know what the fee is for a prescription at your vet practice, ask.

You should also ask the vet whether you will need repeat prescriptions, or further consultations to review the medication.

Prescription fees are not fixed and so vet practices may charge different amounts. Depending on the time between prescriptions, or the kind of medicine being prescribed, your pet may need a further examination.

Find a veterinary practice using the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons find a vet database.