Running a veterinary practice in the UK today is a demanding and multifaceted job. Veterinary professionals must balance clinical work with business operations while adapting to rapidly evolving client expectations. As pet ownership rises and veterinary medicine advances, identifying common pain points and addressing key challenges is essential for resilience and long-term success.
According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), veterinary fees have increased by as much as 60% since 2015. This economic pressure, along with calls for greater industry transparency, requires clinics and practice owners to remain agile and strategic.
This blog explores the most common challenges faced by veterinary practices and practical solutions that support practice management, client satisfaction, and veterinary care quality.
From diagnostic equipment and medications to utilities, insurance, and wages, the cost of running veterinary clinics is mounting. Clients expect transparency in veterinary services, making it vital to manage cash flow and communicate clearly.
High workloads and limited flexibility contribute to burnout, particularly among veterinary nurses and technicians. Recruitment and retention are among the biggest challenges in the veterinary profession. Losing skilled team members affects morale, clinical duties, and continuity of care.
Modern pet owners expect digital touchpoints such as online bookings, real-time updates, and mobile reminders. Managing client expectations while maintaining the clinic’s ethos requires better communication and an adaptive mindset.
Veterinarians today are not only caregivers but also practice managers, marketers, and stakeholders. Balancing these responsibilities without adequate support staff impacts time working with patients and overall well-being.
Many owners of independent practices are under pressure from larger groups offering lower prices, strong branding, and faster hiring processes. Standing out in a crowded veterinary industry requires a clear value proposition.
CMA reviews and evolving RCVS guidelines present various challenges, including compliance with prescription rules and client communication standards. Staying updated is key to maintaining trust and avoiding penalties.
As veterinary clinics adopt digital systems, protecting data is critical. Breaches can affect reputation, violate GDPR, and reduce client trust.
Unresolved concerns and poor reviews can deter new clients. Establishing a formal complaints process helps build trust and improve satisfaction.
Working in practice comes with challenges, but they can be overcome. With effective practice management, strong recruitment, and a resilient team, your veterinary clinic can thrive. Addressing the common challenges faced by veterinary practices requires clarity, leadership, and a proactive mindset.
At Verovian Veterinary Recruitment Agency, we help veterinary practices thrive by connecting them with professionals who bring strong clinical skills, soft skills, and dedication. Whether you're looking to fill a vacancy, grow a new team, or ease your hiring process, we provide tailored recruitment support. Our goal is to help practice owners attract and retain the right talent, making your clinic a better place to work and a trusted provider of veterinary care. Contact us today to get started.
In 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) intensified its formal market investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets. This inquiry focuses on transparency, competition, and consumer choice within the veterinary services market. For veterinary practice managers, understanding the CMA’s working papers and proposed remedies is essential. These changes will impact how vet businesses operate, manage pricing, and communicate with pet owners.
This blog summarises key findings from the CMA’s working papers and outlines what practice managers must know to prepare for the evolving regulatory framework.
The CMA’s decision to launch a full investigation in 2023 was prompted by concerns that the veterinary services market may not be working effectively for consumers. Issues such as rising veterinary costs, a lack of pricing transparency, and limited consumer choice have been highlighted as significant barriers to healthy competition and informed decision-making.
As the operational leads in veterinary practices, managers play a crucial role in implementing changes that will address these concerns. Staying informed on the CMA’s working papers and consultation developments allows practice managers to proactively adapt policies, workflows, and client communications to meet new regulatory expectations.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published several key documents throughout its investigation into the veterinary services market for household pets. These documents provide insight into the challenges within the sector and potential measures for reform:
This foundational document outlines initial competition concerns, including factors affecting market dynamics and the challenges faced by independent practices. It sets the stage for the investigation by identifying areas such as pricing transparency and consumer information deficits.
This working paper details the CMA’s approach to analysing the financial health of veterinary businesses. It explores how profitability influences pricing strategies and market behaviour, with particular attention to veterinary fees and concerns regarding overcharging for medicines.
This document proposes practical solutions designed to improve transparency, empower clients, and address structural competition issues within the veterinary sector. It forms part of an ongoing consultation process aimed at shaping effective remedies to enhance market functioning, which will close by 27th May 2025.
These CMA working papers highlight the value of veterinary care and the need for reforms that promote greater transparency and consumer protection while supporting a well-functioning market.
The CMA’s proposed remedies seek to improve transparency and fairness across veterinary services for household pets. The key elements include:
Veterinary organisations have actively engaged with the CMA investigation:
These joint responses underscore the importance of balanced remedies that reflect the realities of veterinary practice.
The CMA invites veterinary practice managers to submit feedback on the proposed remedies by 5 pm on 27 May 2025. Your response is crucial to ensure the CMA’s final decision takes into account practical considerations and unintended consequences that may arise in daily operations.
When drafting your response, consider:
Practice managers should review the full CMA consultation and working papers on the official CMA case page to inform their submissions.
With the CMA expected to publish its final decision in late 2025, practice managers must begin preparing now for significant operational shifts. Key actions include:
Proactive preparation will help your practice remain compliant, trusted by clients, and resilient during this period of market reform.
Keeping these milestones in mind will enable practice managers to plan effectively and implement necessary changes promptly.
The CMA’s 2025 veterinary market investigation marks a pivotal moment for UK veterinary services, focused on enhancing transparency, competition, and consumer protection. Veterinary practice managers are at the forefront of this transition, tasked with adapting operations to new regulatory expectations while maintaining the highest standards of veterinary care and animal welfare.
By staying informed, engaging with the consultation, and preparing your practice accordingly, you can ensure your clinic navigates this regulatory evolution successfully. Your leadership will be vital in supporting a thriving veterinary market that benefits pet owners, veterinary professionals, and the wider sector.
Partner with Verovian Veterinary Recruitment Agency to streamline your hiring and secure exceptional veterinary talent. We specialise in connecting practices like yours with skilled professionals – from experienced associates to vital support staff – who are perfectly matched to your specific needs, practice culture, and long-term vision. Let us leverage our expertise to help your team thrive in today's competitive veterinary healthcare market.
