How much does an out-of-hours vet cost?
By Richard Barker, editor. Last checked 16 October 2026.
Many practices do not see animals themselves at night or at weekends. They pass emergencies to an out-of-hours provider, which can be a separate company with its own prices.
Who you will see
Each practice's price list must give its out-of-hours consultation price and, if another business provides the service, name that business and link to its website. Some large groups own their own out-of-hours services.
It is worth finding out who your practice uses before you need them, so you know where to go and roughly what it costs.
Why it costs more
Out-of-hours services keep vets and nurses on duty overnight and at weekends, often for a large area. Treatment, tests and medicines are charged on top of the consultation, as in the day.
When prices will appear here
We will add each practice's published prices to this guide as their price lists go online, starting with the large groups from 23 December 2026 and every other practice from 23 March 2027. Until then we show only figures the CMA has published, with their source.
Sources
- Schedule 1: Price list schedule, Competition and Markets Authority, 22 September 2026.
- Annex 1: Indicative price list with definitions, Competition and Markets Authority, 22 September 2026.
- Veterinary services for household pets: summary of final report, Competition and Markets Authority, 24 March 2026.
CMA documents are Crown copyright and used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.