Skip to contentPet emergency? Find an out-of-hours vet near you

Pet Care

Questions to Ask Your Vet

Published Last updated 4 min read

Quick answer

Before you register — or before agreeing to treatment — ask your vet about fees, out-of-hours cover, what is included in estimates, and prescription options. Since 2026, practices should publish standard prices and give written estimates for £500+ treatment. Compare published fees in our vet directory or find a vet search first.

Key takeaways

  • Ask about consultation fees, out-of-hours arrangements, whether they treat your species, vaccination and neutering prices, and whether they publish a full price list online. Good practices answer openly.
  • Yes. Ask what the written prescription fee is and confirm you may use another pharmacy. Practices must publicise your prescription rights under 2026 transparency rules.

When choosing a new practice

Use these questions when phoning or visiting for the first time:

Fees and transparency

  • What is your standard consultation fee? — check whether it matches their published price list
  • Do you publish a full price list on your website? — required under CMA remedies for core services
  • Do you offer a health plan? — monthly schemes may bundle vaccinations and parasite treatment
  • Are there out-of-hours supplements? — emergency consult fees may differ

See CMA vet pricing transparency UK for what owners should expect.

Availability and cover

  • What are your opening hours? — including Saturday and early/late appointments
  • Who covers nights and bank holidays? — your practice, a partner clinic, or a referral to Vets Now?
  • How do I book urgent appointments? — same-day policy for sick pets
  • Do you offer home visits? — and at what cost?

Browse out-of-hours vets in our directory.

Clinical fit

  • Do you regularly see my species? — especially important for rabbits, birds and exotics
  • Do you have equipment on site? — X-ray, ultrasound, dental facilities
  • Do you refer to specialists? — and how are referral fees explained?

For rabbits, see rabbit-friendly practices.

Ownership

Before agreeing to treatment

Estimates and billing

  • Can I have a written estimate? — essential for surgery, dental extractions, imaging and hospital stays likely to reach £500+
  • What is included? — anaesthetic, monitoring, take-home medication, revisits
  • What might change the price? — complications, extra tests, longer stays
  • Can treatment be staged? — if cost is a concern, ask what is urgent vs what can wait

Medicines and prescriptions

  • Can I have a written prescription? — you may buy medicine elsewhere, including online pharmacies
  • What is your prescription fee? — must be published under CMA rules
  • Are there generic or alternative products? — ask about efficacy and cost, not just brand names

Aftercare

  • What should I watch for at home? — warning signs that need a recheck
  • Who do I call if complications arise tonight? — confirm the out-of-hours number
  • When is the follow-up? — included in the fee or extra?

At routine appointments

  • Is my pet's weight healthy? — obesity is the most common preventable problem UK vets see
  • Are vaccinations and parasite treatment up to date? — tailored to lifestyle (indoor cat vs working dog)
  • When should we recheck dental health? — dental disease is painful even when pets still eat
  • Anything I should monitor before next visit? — lumps, thirst, stiffness, behaviour changes

Questions owners sometimes avoid (but should ask)

  • I am worried about the cost — what are my options? — vets can prioritise treatment or signpost charity support
  • Do I need this test today? — reasonable to understand urgency
  • What would you do if this were your pet? — opens an honest conversation about trade-offs

Financial worry should never delay emergency care — ask early, not after the bill arrives.

Compare before you call

Many practices now publish fees online. Search our vet directory for verified prices and links to each practice's own list. For UK-wide context, use the UK Vet Price Index.

Practice owners

Help new clients find clear answers — claim your listing and keep published prices and hours up to date.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-07-19).

More on this topic

Also see symptoms, symptom checker, and poison guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask a vet before registering?
Ask about consultation fees, out-of-hours arrangements, whether they treat your species, vaccination and neutering prices, and whether they publish a full price list online. Good practices answer openly.
Can I ask for a written estimate?
Yes — always ask. Under the CMA's 2026 remedies (now phasing in), UK vet businesses must give a written estimate where treatment is expected to cost £500 or more including aftercare, except in an emergency. Ask before you agree to surgery, dental work or hospitalisation.
Should I ask about prescriptions?
Yes. Ask what the written prescription fee is and confirm you may use another pharmacy. Practices must publicise your prescription rights under 2026 transparency rules.
What questions help in an emergency?
Ask whether to come straight in, whether they are open or referring elsewhere, and what to do while travelling. Know this before an emergency by registering early.