A veterinary expert has revealed that many pet owners are spending more than necessary because they do not check prices across different medication providers.

Dr Charlotte Inness, a practising veterinarian and creator of the online pet pharmacy VetMedi, highlighted that pet owners have the legal right to obtain a written prescription from their animal clinic.

This paperwork allows them to buy from registered internet pharmacies, often at much lower costs.

According to Dr Inness, this is the easiest way to save hundreds of pounds, although numerous animal keepers feel uneasy about asking for such documentation. She explained that veterinary clinics obviously earn money from the medications they stock on their premises, but customers are legally allowed to request a written prescription.

She mentioned that moving to online pharmacies could help pet owners save over £200 each year, particularly for animals requiring long-term treatment.

This guidance comes as concerns mount about veterinary fees across Britain.

Research by the Competition and Markets Authority showed that veterinary clinics owned by large companies charge roughly 16.6 percent more on average than independent practices.

Dr Inness noted that many pet keepers might not realize their veterinary surgery has been acquired by a larger corporation. She explained that one of the industry’s lesser-known facts is that who owns your veterinary practice matters. Large corporate veterinary groups usually implement standardised pricing structures that can be significantly more expensive than those at local independent practices for the same treatments. She advised that if you see your bills getting higher, you should check whether your practice has recently been taken over by a larger company, as you might be paying inflated prices for the same care.

She also warned that services provided outside normal working hours can be particularly costly.

Emergency appointments may cost two or three times the standard fee, meaning at least an extra £150 compared to a regular daytime visit.

Dr Inness advised that as long as it is not a true emergency, postponing treatment until the next day for a regular appointment can save at least £150 just in consultation fees.

She suggests always requesting a comprehensive written estimate for any procedure costing more than £500, and confirming whether aftercare and take-home medications are included.

Additional charges for laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, and follow-up visits can quickly cause total expenses to add up.