Your Vet Rights
Explained

Under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, you have a legal right to request a written prescription for any POM-V (prescription-only veterinary) medication.

Your vet cannot refuse to provide a prescription. They may charge a reasonable fee for writing it.

The CMA has confirmed that vets must proactively offer prescriptions — you should not have to ask.

Your vet cannot penalise you or withdraw services for choosing to buy medications elsewhere.

The CMA has capped prescription fees at £16. Any fee above this is non-compliant with the CMA order.

This cap applies to all veterinary practices in the UK, corporate and independent.

The prescription fee should only cover the administrative cost of writing the prescription — it should not be used to discourage you from buying elsewhere.

Vets must provide clear pricing information before treatment begins.

For any treatment expected to exceed £500, you are entitled to a written estimate with an itemised breakdown.

You have the right to seek a second opinion and to compare prices between practices.

All invoices must be fully itemised — no bundled or opaque charges.

Vets must publish a standardised price list for common procedures.

You should be told about all fees upfront, including consultation fees, out-of-hours charges, and any additional costs.

Practices must provide a full fee schedule to new clients at registration.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, prices must be displayed prominently and not hidden in small print.

For any treatment expected to cost more than £500, your vet must provide a written estimate before proceeding.

The estimate must include an itemised cost breakdown, possible alternatives, and potential additional costs.

You must be given time to consider the estimate — there is a 48-hour cooling-off period for non-urgent treatments.

Written consent must be obtained before any procedure exceeding £250.

All veterinary surgeons must meet the professional standards set by the RCVS.

You have the right to a clear explanation of your pet's diagnosis and treatment options.

Informed consent must be obtained before any procedure.

Every practice must have a formal complaints procedure with defined response times.

The CMA requires all practices to clearly disclose their ultimate corporate owner.

This must be displayed in the practice, on their website, and in client communications.

The RCVS public register will show ownership structures for every practice.

You have the right to know whether your vet is independent or part of a corporate chain.

All 21 CMA reforms are mandatory for every UK veterinary practice.

Practices must comply within the specified timeframes (3, 6, or 12 months depending on the reform).

The RCVS has expanded powers to monitor and enforce compliance.

Non-compliance can result in enforcement action by the CMA.

You are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when purchasing veterinary services.

You have the right to clear information about prices, services, and your vet's qualifications.

Every practice must operate a formal complaints procedure.

You can escalate unresolved complaints to the Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS).