Price Guide

How Much Does a Vet Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Vet Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Dog Vaccination (Annual Booster)

Low

£40

Average

£75

High

£115

15-20 minutes

More details

An annual booster vaccination for a dog covering core diseases including distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis. The higher price includes kennel cough (Bordetella) which is recommended if your dog is socialising with other dogs, attending daycare or going into kennels.

~73% labour, ~27% materials

What affects the price

  • Whether kennel cough vaccine is included (adds £20-£30)
  • Practice location (London and South East cost more)
  • Whether a health check is included in the consultation
  • Puppy primary course costs more (2-3 initial vaccinations)

Cat Vaccination (Annual Booster)

Low

£35

Average

£70

High

£100

15-20 minutes

More details

An annual booster vaccination for a cat covering core diseases including feline parvovirus, cat flu (herpesvirus and calicivirus) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). Outdoor cats should have the FeLV vaccine. Indoor-only cats may not need FeLV, which reduces the cost.

~74% labour, ~26% materials

What affects the price

  • Whether FeLV vaccine is included (adds £15-£25)
  • Indoor vs outdoor cat (affects which vaccines are needed)
  • Practice location and type
  • Kitten primary course costs more (2 initial vaccinations)

Neutering (Dog)

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£500

Day procedure (drop off morning, collect afternoon)

More details

Castration of a male dog under general anaesthetic. Includes pre-operative check, general anaesthesia, surgery, pain relief, post-operative care and follow-up check. Larger dogs cost more due to increased anaesthetic and surgical time. Two post-op checks are usually included.

~90% labour, ~10% materials

What affects the price

  • Size of the dog (large breeds cost significantly more)
  • Whether pre-op blood tests are recommended
  • Practice location and type
  • Whether one or both testicles are descended (retained testicle adds cost)

Neutering (Cat)

Low

£50

Average

£100

High

£160

Day procedure (drop off morning, collect afternoon)

More details

Castration of a male cat under general anaesthetic. A simpler and quicker procedure than dog castration. Includes pre-operative check, anaesthesia, surgery, pain relief and follow-up. Recommended from 4 months of age to prevent spraying and roaming.

~82% labour, ~18% materials

What affects the price

  • Practice location (London charges more)
  • Whether included in a neutering package with microchipping
  • Some charities offer subsidised neutering for those on low income
  • PDSA and Cats Protection may offer free or reduced-cost neutering

Spaying (Dog)

Low

£250

Average

£450

High

£650

Day procedure (drop off morning, collect afternoon)

More details

Spaying a female dog under general anaesthetic — the ovaries and womb are removed to prevent pregnancy and reduce health risks. A bigger operation than neutering a male dog. Includes the pre-op check, anaesthesia, surgery, pain relief, a protective cone collar, and two follow-up checks including stitch removal.

~90% labour, ~10% materials

What affects the price

  • Size of the dog (large breeds cost significantly more)
  • Weight of the dog (affects anaesthetic dose and cost)
  • Whether keyhole (laparoscopic) spaying is chosen (costs more)
  • Practice location and type

Spaying (Cat)

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£220

Day procedure (drop off morning, collect afternoon)

More details

Spaying a female cat under general anaesthetic — the ovaries and womb are removed through a small cut. A bigger operation than neutering a male cat. Includes the pre-op check, anaesthesia, surgery, pain relief, and stitch removal at the follow-up.

~85% labour, ~15% materials

What affects the price

  • Practice location (regional variation is significant)
  • Whether a flank or midline surgical approach is used
  • Cat's weight and health status
  • Some charities offer subsidised spaying for eligible owners

Dental Cleaning (Pet)

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£600

Day procedure (drop off morning, collect afternoon)

More details

A professional teeth clean for your pet, done under general anaesthetic so the vet can clean thoroughly. Includes a full mouth check, removing tartar with an ultrasonic tool, and polishing. If any teeth need pulling, that is charged separately at around £30-£100+ per tooth. Older pets may need a blood test first to check they are safe for anaesthetic.

~90% labour, ~10% materials

What affects the price

  • General anaesthetic is the main cost driver
  • Whether any teeth need extracting (extra cost per tooth)
  • Whether dental X-rays are taken (adds £50-£150)
  • Pet's age and health (older pets may need blood tests first)

Emergency Out-of-Hours Visit

Low

£150

Average

£270

High

£400

30-60 minutes consultation

More details

An emergency consultation outside normal surgery hours (evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays). The fee covers the consultation and initial assessment only; any treatment, medication, diagnostics or hospitalisation is charged on top. Emergency vets are often a separate provider from your daytime practice.

What affects the price

  • Time of visit (night and bank holidays cost the most)
  • Whether the emergency vet is your own practice or a dedicated OOH provider
  • Any treatment needed is charged separately
  • Pet insurance can cover emergency vet costs

Microchipping

Low

£15

Average

£30

High

£50

5-10 minutes

More details

Implanting a permanent microchip under the skin between the shoulder blades for identification. Microchipping is a legal requirement for all dogs in England and cats in England from June 2024. The chip is registered to a national database with your contact details. Often done at the same time as vaccinations.

~67% labour, ~33% materials

What affects the price

  • Legal requirement for all dogs and cats in England
  • Some charities and councils offer free or low-cost microchipping events
  • Often cheaper when done alongside vaccinations
  • You must keep your contact details updated on the database

Flea and Worming Treatment

Low

£10

Average

£25

High

£50

5 minutes

More details

Prescription flea and worming treatment from a vet. Price covers a single treatment course. Dogs and cats should be wormed every 3 months and treated for fleas regularly. Prescription treatments from a vet are generally more effective than over-the-counter products. Monthly pet health plans can offer better value at £10-£15 per month.

~4% labour, ~96% materials

What affects the price

  • Size and weight of the pet (larger dogs need bigger doses)
  • Type of product (spot-on, tablet, injection)
  • Whether buying individual treatments or a monthly health plan
  • Prescription products vs over-the-counter (prescription is more effective)

Blood Test

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£300

15-30 minutes (results in 1-3 days)

More details

Taking a blood sample and running laboratory tests to check organ function, blood cell counts, infection markers or specific disease screens. Includes the consultation, blood draw and lab analysis. In-house machines give faster results; external labs take 1-3 days. Pre-anaesthetic blood profiles are simpler and cheaper.

~57% labour, ~43% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of blood panel (basic pre-op vs full biochemistry and haematology)
  • Whether analysed in-house or sent to an external lab
  • Number of specific tests requested
  • Whether included as part of a pre-operative check

Pet Euthanasia

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£400

30-60 minutes

More details

Humane euthanasia by intravenous injection, carried out by a vet at the surgery or at your home. The fee covers the consultation, sedation if needed and the euthanasia injection. Cremation is charged separately: communal cremation costs £50-£100, individual cremation with ashes returned costs £150-£300 depending on the pet's size.

~94% labour, ~6% materials

What affects the price

  • At the surgery vs home visit (home visits cost £50-£100 more)
  • Whether sedation is given first (recommended and usually included)
  • Cremation type (communal vs individual with ashes returned)
  • Pet's size (affects cremation cost)

Popular locations

Vet Costs by City

London

£50–£145

Birmingham

£35–£105

Leeds

£40–£110

Glasgow

£40–£120

Sheffield

£40–£115

Manchester

£40–£110

Bradford

£35–£100

Edinburgh

£45–£130

Liverpool

£40–£115

Bristol

£45–£125

Coventry

£40–£110

Leicester

£35–£100

Local pricing

Find Vet Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local vet pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Dog Vaccination (Annual Booster) by City

Average cost of dog vaccination (annual booster) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £95
Manchester
-2% £75
Birmingham
-7% £70
Glasgow
+5% £80
Bristol
+7% £80
Leeds
-3% £75
Cardiff
-2% £75
Belfast
-13% £65

Overview

What Does a Vet Do?

A vet provides professional services covering vaccinations, neutering, spaying, dental care, emergency treatment and other veterinary services for cats and dogs. They cover a range of services from straightforward options to more complex, bespoke work. Choosing the right vet ensures you get quality results and a professional experience.

You should hire a vet whenever you need specialist expertise or professional-grade results. The right vet brings experience, proper equipment, and industry knowledge that makes a real difference to the outcome.

Pricing for vet services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a vet, always get at least three quotes from different pet care professionals. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check RCVS registration and reviews. A reputable vet will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a vet.

Dog Walking UK price guide £10–£18 Dog Grooming UK price guide £25–£50 Pest Control UK price guide £120–£350 Hairdresser UK price guide £35–£80 Dentist UK price guide £27–£27 Cosmetic Dentistry UK price guide £300–£800 Tutoring UK price guide £20–£40 Cleaning UK price guide £25–£45

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about vet costs in the UK.

How much does pet insurance cost and is it worth it?
Pet insurance for a dog typically costs 20-50 per month, and for a cat 10-25 per month. Premiums increase with age and breed. Insurance is worth having because a single emergency surgery or course of treatment can easily cost 2,000-5,000 or more. Lifetime policies offer the best cover but cost more than accident-only plans.
How often does my pet need vaccinations?
Puppies and kittens need a primary course at 8-10 weeks and 10-12 weeks, then an annual booster. Some vaccinations are given every 1-3 years depending on the type. Core vaccines for dogs cover distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis. Cats need protection against cat flu and feline enteritis. Your vet will advise on the right schedule.
At what age should I neuter or spay my pet?
Dogs are typically neutered at 6-12 months, though larger breeds may benefit from waiting until 12-18 months. Cats are usually neutered at around 4 months. Neutering prevents unwanted litters, reduces certain cancer risks and can reduce behavioural issues like roaming and aggression. Discuss the timing with your vet.
What should I do in a pet emergency outside normal hours?
All veterinary practices are required to provide or arrange 24-hour emergency cover. Call your normal vet first — their answerphone will direct you to the out-of-hours provider. Emergency and out-of-hours consultations cost significantly more than standard appointments, typically 200-350 just for the consultation fee.
Are there ways to reduce vet bills?
Monthly health plans spread the cost of routine care and often save 10-20% compared to paying individually. Keeping vaccinations and flea and worming treatment up to date prevents more expensive health problems. Pet charities like the PDSA, Blue Cross and RSPCA offer free or subsidised treatment for owners on certain benefits. Getting insurance early avoids expensive uninsured bills later.
Why are vet bills so expensive compared to years ago?
Veterinary medicine has advanced significantly — modern practices offer MRI scans, CT scans, keyhole surgery and specialist referrals that were not available before. Equipment, drug and staffing costs have all risen. UK vet fees remain lower than many other countries, and the CMA review in 2024 found that while transparency could improve, prices broadly reflect the cost of providing care.
Can I get a second opinion from another vet?
Yes, you have every right to seek a second opinion and vets are used to this. Your current vet will share your pet's records with the new practice. For complex cases, your vet can also refer you to a specialist veterinary hospital. Referral consultations typically cost £200-£350 on top of any treatment.
What is the difference between a standard vet and a specialist?
A standard vet (general practitioner) handles routine care, common illnesses and standard surgeries. Veterinary specialists have additional years of training in a specific area such as orthopaedics, oncology, cardiology or dermatology. Specialist treatment costs significantly more but is essential for complex conditions that are beyond general practice capability.
Do I need to vaccinate an indoor-only cat?
Indoor cats should still receive core vaccinations against feline parvovirus and cat flu, as these viruses can be brought into the home on shoes and clothing. The feline leukaemia (FeLV) vaccine may not be necessary for strictly indoor cats as it spreads through direct contact with other cats. Discuss your cat's specific risk factors with your vet.
How much does a vet cost in the UK?
The most common vet job, dog vaccination (annual booster), costs between £40 and £115 nationally, with an average of £75. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects vet prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable vet?
Get at least three quotes from different pet care professionals, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check RCVS registration and reviews.
Do vet prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some pet care professionals break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a vet?
Demand for vet services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.