3 tips for saving on vet fees

3 tips for saving on vet fees

We know from our own experiences and from speaking to our customers that vets’ fees are an ongoing cause of concern for many. And with good reason. In May, the Office for National Statistics estimated that veterinary fees had increased by around 50% since 2015.

While costs have gone up in almost every part of our lives, this rise is much higher than the overall rate of inflation. Findings from a formal investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this year highlighted large corporate groups buying up independent vets as a foundational factor behind the surge in prices. 

From speaking with rescue centres, we know that difficulty in paying vet bills is also a driver for dogs being given up for adoption.

So to do our bit to help, we wanted to provide some tips and advice for how you can save money on your vet’s fees.

Here are our 3 tips for saving money on vet fees:

1. Shop around

Many of us just go to the nearest vet - a bit like when you move to a new area and sign up to the local doctor’s surgery. You can though choose whatever vet you want and be registered with more than one vet. If you can find an independent vet locally, we would recommend getting in touch with them to compare prices with the corporately owned vets. They will often offer more competitive pricing and the cost of the care they provide over your pet’s lifetime is likely to be significantly better value.

It can though be hard to work out whether a vet is independently or corporately owned as two vets in a local area can have different branding and still be owned by the same corporate group. Independent vets will usually state on their website that they’re independently owned. If you can’t see this on a website, we would advise looking at the bottom of the home page which should state the organisation that owns it.  Or you can always just ask them!

2. Save on prescriptions

If your dog requires ongoing and long-term medication, it’s worthwhile looking into whether you can save money by buying online as opposed to through your vet. Especially if they aren’t insured or may only be insured for a year’s worth of treatment.

You can discuss with your vet the option of writing a prescription, as this can allow you to purchase the medication at a cheaper cost online. Some vets may though charge to supply written prescriptions. When buying online, look for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate accredited retailer badge, and double-check the store is registered to dispense veterinary prescription medicines. You’ll need to supply proof of the prescription.

3. Explore your options

The CMA review found that large corporations may be incentivising offering complex, expensive procedures over simpler, cheaper alternatives.

We would recommend always asking to discuss all possible treatment options so you can work out the right course of action for you and your dog. If the issue isn’t urgent or life threatening, you can always also canvas a second opinion from another vet.

Hopefully, these tips help and in the longer term the CMA review leads to lasting change. One thing it’s important to always remember is that it’s not the veterinary practitioners themselves that are the problem. Every vet we’ve ever met cares deeply about the wellbeing of the dogs they treat. The issue is the private equity business model applied to the veterinary industry.

It's another example of what we’re trying to change – business working only for the few and not the many. We were founded on a belief that things can be different and that there’s a better way of doing business - one where more people win, more dogs win.