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10 Questions to Ask Before Registering with a New Vet

Choosing a vet is one of the most important decisions you will make for your pet. Yet most owners simply register with the nearest practice without asking a single question about how it works. This guide gives you ten targeted questions that reveal whether a practice is truly right for you — before you commit.

Questions About Pricing and Transparency

Under the CMA's 2026 reforms, all UK vet practices must publish prices for standard services on their website and on-site. But there is value in asking directly too — the way a practice responds to pricing questions tells you something about their culture of transparency.

1. What is your standard consultation fee, and do you charge differently for extended or same-day appointments? Knowing the base cost immediately reveals how the practice sits in the local market. Many practices have tiered pricing, and understanding this prevents surprises.

2. Will you always offer me a written prescription if I need regular medication for my pet? Under the CMA's 2026 reforms, practices must verbally offer a written prescription every time they prescribe a medicine. A practice that answers this question confidently and positively is ahead of the curve on consumer rights. A written prescription costs a maximum of £21 (for the first medicine) and allows you to source medicines from licensed online pharmacies at potentially significant savings.

3. Do you provide written estimates before starting treatment expected to cost over £500? The CMA's 2026 reforms require this. A practice that already does this routinely is demonstrating good communication and respect for client finances. It also protects you from unexpected bills.

These three pricing-related questions establish immediately whether a practice is operating with the transparency that modern regulations require.

Questions About Availability and Emergency Care

4. What are your opening hours, and do you offer same-day appointments for urgent cases? Accessibility matters enormously when your pet is ill. Practices that cannot offer same-day slots for genuinely sick animals — or that only offer very limited availability — may not be able to serve your urgent needs.

5. Who provides out-of-hours emergency cover, and what does it typically cost? Many practices refer emergency cases to a dedicated out-of-hours provider. You need to know who this is, how far away they are, and roughly what an emergency consultation will cost (typically £200–£350+). Some practices provide their own out-of-hours cover, which can mean greater continuity of care.

6. Is there always a vet on duty during all opening hours, or do you use a remote video triage service at certain times? Some practices have moved to telephone or video triage for initial assessment, with a vet on call but not necessarily on-site. This is not inherently negative but is worth understanding.

The answers to these questions give you a clear picture of the practice's capacity and your contingency options in an emergency.

Questions About Clinical Approach and Continuity

7. How many vets work at the practice, and is it possible to see the same vet regularly? Continuity of care matters, particularly for pets with ongoing conditions, elderly animals, or those that find vet visits stressful. A small practice where you regularly see the same vet builds a relationship that improves the quality of care over time. Ask whether you can request a specific vet for routine appointments.

8. Do you use Fear Free or Cat Friendly Clinic protocols? Fear Free is an evidence-based approach to reducing stress for animals in veterinary settings. Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation (available through International Cat Care) similarly reflects specific training and environmental modifications to minimise feline stress. If your pet finds vet visits particularly distressing, practices with these approaches make a meaningful difference.

9. When would you refer to a specialist, and what specialist services do you have access to? Knowing a practice's referral pathway in advance is valuable. Does the practice refer to a nearby specialist centre? Do they have in-house specialists in relevant areas (orthopaedics, cardiology, dermatology)? Understanding this helps you assess whether the practice is the right long-term fit, particularly if your pet has a known or potential specialist need.

These questions reveal the practice's clinical depth and their approach to patient wellbeing.

One Final Question — and What to Do with the Answers

10. Are you independently owned or part of a corporate group? As discussed in our guide to independent vs corporate vets, this question matters to some owners for both ethical and practical reasons. There is no wrong answer — but an honest, straightforward response is reassuring.

Once you have asked these questions, compare the responses across two or three practices before deciding. Price is important, but it is one factor among many. A practice that is slightly more expensive but has excellent availability, a consistent clinical team, and treats your pet with care and expertise will likely deliver better long-term value than the cheapest option in your area.

Write down or take notes on the answers — it is easy to forget specifics when comparing multiple practices. The responses that matter most are those that align with your pet's specific circumstances: an elderly cat with kidney disease needs a different practice environment than a young, healthy dog.

For a quick comparison of fees and services before you start calling, CompareMyVet at app.comparemyvet.uk gives you a clear overview of practices in your area.

Start Your Search with CompareMyVet

CompareMyVet provides the foundation for choosing your next vet with confidence. Compare standard service prices, locations, and availability for practices near you at app.comparemyvet.uk — giving you the pricing context you need before you pick up the phone.

With the CMA's 2026 reforms requiring transparent published prices from all practices, comparing vets has never been more straightforward. Use our platform to shortlist two or three candidates, then work through the questions in this guide to find the best fit.

For more guidance, see our full article on how to compare local vets in the UK.