Veterinary physiotherapy has grown significantly in the UK over the past decade. Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, managing arthritis, or rehabilitating from an injury, physiotherapy can play an important role in their recovery. Here is what it costs.

Average Physiotherapy Costs

  • Initial assessment: £50 to £100 (typically 45–60 minutes)
  • Follow-up sessions: £40 to £80 (typically 30–45 minutes)
  • Hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill or pool): £30 to £60 per session
  • Combined physiotherapy and hydrotherapy: £60 to £100 per session

Most treatment plans involve weekly sessions for 4–8 weeks, then tapering to fortnightly or monthly as your pet improves. This means a typical course of treatment costs £300–£700 in total.

What Affects the Price

Qualification Level

Chartered physiotherapists who are members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) typically charge at the higher end of the range. Their training includes a full human physiotherapy degree plus postgraduate specialisation in animal therapy. Other practitioners may have completed shorter courses and charge less.

Treatments Used

Sessions may include manual therapy, laser therapy, electrotherapy (TENS, ultrasound), acupuncture, or hydrotherapy. Laser and electrotherapy equipment is expensive, which can affect session prices. Hydrotherapy requires specialist facilities (pools or underwater treadmills), adding to overhead costs.

Location

Physiotherapy prices follow the same regional patterns as other veterinary services, with London and the South East being more expensive. Home visits are available from some practitioners and may carry a travel surcharge of £10–£30.

Animal Size

Larger dogs generally require longer session times and more physical effort from the therapist, which can affect pricing at some practices.

What a Session Includes

An initial assessment typically involves:

  • Gait analysis (watching your pet walk and move)
  • Palpation and range-of-motion testing
  • Assessment of muscle mass and condition
  • A treatment plan with estimated number of sessions
  • The first treatment session
  • Home exercises for you to practice between sessions

Follow-up sessions focus on treatment and progress monitoring, with exercises adjusted as your pet improves.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Physiotherapy

Many comprehensive pet insurance policies cover physiotherapy and hydrotherapy when referred by a vet, though there are often sub-limits (e.g. £500–£1,000 per condition per year). Check your policy wording carefully. You will almost always need a vet referral before starting treatment for insurance to pay out.

How to Save

  • Ask about block booking discounts: Many physiotherapists offer 10–15% off when you book a course of 6 or more sessions upfront.
  • Do home exercises diligently: The exercises your physiotherapist prescribes between sessions are just as important as the sessions themselves. Doing them properly can reduce the total number of professional sessions needed.
  • Check insurance coverage first: If your policy covers physiotherapy, get the referral from your vet before booking to ensure the claim is valid.
  • Compare practitioners: Prices vary widely between therapists in the same area. ACPAT's website has a directory of qualified practitioners you can compare.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: ACPAT practitioner survey data, VetCost practice data.