New research commissioned by Pets4Homes (pets4homes.co.uk), reveals that half of UK pet owners admit they have delayed or avoided veterinary treatment because of cost pressures.

 The findings come as new reforms aim to improve affordability and transparency across the veterinary sector, following a government and Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review. 

Measures being introduced include mandatory published price lists, written estimates for higher-cost treatments, disclosure of practice ownership and capped prescription dispensing fees. Wider statutory caps on veterinary treatment costs remain under consultation and would require further regulatory approval before being introduced.

Pets4Homes’ study suggests that while rising veterinary costs have placed pressure on households in recent years, many owners believe affordability reforms could make responsible pet ownership more accessible and sustainable in the future.

Highlighting the financial pressures many owners have faced in recent years, Pets4Homes’ research also points to strong demand for affordability reforms that would help more households confidently own and care for pets. The study reveals, more than four in five respondents (82%) say pet ownership is currently either “not very affordable” or “not at all affordable”, while 78% believe the cost of owning a pet has “increased significantly” in recent years.

Rising veterinary bills are clearly influencing owner behaviour. More than two-thirds (68%) say rising vet costs have affected their ability to own or care for a pet, while 17% admit they have avoided treatment altogether because they could not afford it. However, many respondents said lower veterinary costs and transparency would directly improve both their confidence and ability to care for pets long-term.

Pets4Homes - the UK’s largest pet rehoming platform - commissioned the study in May 2026, surveying over 1,000 UK pet owners about the rising cost of pet ownership, veterinary affordability, renting with pets and changing consumer behaviours.

Topline Findings:

• Cost is the biggest barrier to pet ownership: Nearly nine in ten respondents (87%) say the biggest barrier to owning a pet is the ongoing cost of care, including food, insurance and veterinary bills.
• Pet owners want affordability reforms: Almost 3 in 4 UK pet owners (71%) say pet ownership is currently unaffordable in Britain, while 78% believe the cost of owning a pet has “increased significantly” in recent years, highlighting strong support for measures designed to reduce veterinary costs.
• Vet bills are currently forcing owners to delay care: Almost half of pet owners (47%) admit they have delayed or avoided veterinary treatment because of cost pressures. Among them, 32% say they delayed treatment specifically due to vet costs, while 17% avoided treatment altogether because they could not afford it.
• Lower vet costs set to improve access to care: Despite this 47% admitting they have delayed or avoided treatment due to costs, 66% say cheaper vet bills would significantly reduce financial stress and improve their ability to care for pets.
• Trust in veterinary pricing is collapsing: More than four in five pet owners (83%) do not believe veterinary treatments and medications are fairly priced in the UK. More than one in three also say they struggle to understand treatment costs before appointments.
• More affordable care could encourage pet ownership: More than one in four respondents say cheaper veterinary care would make them more likely to get another pet or get a pet for the first time if costs became more manageable.

Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of Pets4Homes, says: “For too long, the rising cost of veterinary care has forced UK pet owners into impossible choices - delaying treatment or going without altogether. These are not isolated cases; our research shows this is a widespread reality affecting nearly half of all UK pet owners. 

“The reforms being introduced are an encouraging step forward. Greater pricing transparency and capped prescription fees will help rebuild trust between owners and the veterinary sector. They will also make responsible pet ownership a realistic prospect for more households. 

“At Pets4Homes, we believe every pet deserves proper care and every owner deserves access to fair, transparent pricing.”