Pet owners in the UK will soon see clearer pricing and more transparent information at veterinary practices, thanks to new reforms set to take effect by the end of the year. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which regulates competition and consumer rights, announced the Veterinary Services Market Investigation Order 2026, which will become law. This means that veterinary practices will be required to provide detailed breakdowns of treatment plans, use standardized names for procedures, and clearly display prices. Starting in December, pet owners will be able to compare different vets more easily thanks to this standardized information. The new rules also ensure that pet owners are informed about the costs of emergency care outside of regular hours and are given all available options for end-of-life care, such as home burial or cremation, with their prices clearly stated before any decisions are made. Practices will also be allowed to switch to different out-of-hours providers more easily, which could lead to better service and lower costs for pet owners. Additional changes will be introduced in March, June, and September of next year. These include rules about prescription fees, information on where pet owners can buy medicines more cheaply, in-house complaints processes, written estimates for treatments, and itemized bills. Larger veterinary businesses must comply with these new regulations by December 22 this year, while smaller practices will have until the same date next year to implement the changes. For the first time, pet owners will be able to find out who owns a veterinary practice and compare prices for common treatments and medications across different clinics. There will also be a cap on fees for written prescriptions. The CMA found that many pet owners lacked basic information needed to make informed choices, and that a lack of competition in the sector had led to poor outcomes for consumers. Martin Coleman, chairman of the independent Inquiry Group, said the reforms are now law and will benefit millions of pet owners. By the end of the year, many pet owners will know the cost of basic services like consultations and vaccinations in advance and will receive clear details of their pet’s care plans. More changes, such as written estimates for expensive treatments, will follow in the coming months. Rob Williams, president of the British Veterinary Association, noted that many veterinary practices are already following parts of the new rules, especially around giving estimates for routine procedures, handling complaints, and providing written prescriptions. He emphasized the importance of trust between pet owners and their vets, and the opportunity for greater standardization across the sector. Sue Davies, head of consumer rights policy at Which?, called the CMA’s investigation a positive step forward. She said it should help prevent pet owners from facing unexpected charges or unclear pricing during difficult times. She also urged the government to continue with reforms, including the creation of an independent regulator and a dedicated veterinary ombudsman to ensure complaints are handled properly and that pet owners are protected.