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Video Vet Services in the UK: Are They Worth It?

Online and video vet services have grown significantly in the UK, offering consultations via video call, phone, or chat — often at lower cost and with greater convenience than in-person appointments. But are they a genuine alternative to seeing a vet in person, or are they useful only in limited circumstances? This guide examines the evidence.

What Are Video Vet Services?

Video vet services — also called telehealth, teleconsultation, or remote vet consultation — connect pet owners with qualified veterinary professionals via video call, telephone, or online messaging. Several UK platforms have emerged in recent years, including VideoVet, PetGP, FirstVet, and JustAnswer Vets. Some pet insurance policies include access to telehealth vet services as a benefit.

These services are staffed by registered veterinary professionals — either qualified vets or registered veterinary nurses — and operate outside the traditional practice model. Consultations are available at times that regular practices are not open, including evenings, weekends, and overnight, which is their most significant practical advantage.

Costs are typically lower than in-person consultations: most services charge £15–£35 for a standard video consultation, compared to £40–£65 for a practice consultation. Some insurers provide unlimited access to telehealth services as part of their premium offering, effectively making them free at point of use.

The RCVS has provided guidance on teleconsultation, clarifying that vets can provide advice and guidance remotely, but that certain clinical activities — physical examination, prescription of controlled medicines, vaccination — require in-person attendance. The regulatory framework for veterinary teleconsultation has been evolving as the sector has grown.

What Video Vets Can and Cannot Do

Video vet consultations are genuinely useful for a specific set of circumstances. Triage — assessing whether a symptom or situation requires urgent in-person care — is perhaps their most valuable application. If you are unsure whether your pet needs an emergency appointment at 11pm, a 10-minute video consultation with a vet or vet nurse can help you make that decision, potentially saving an unnecessary and expensive out-of-hours visit.

Behavioural advice, dietary guidance, general health questions, management of known stable conditions, wound assessment where the wound is clearly visible, post-operative monitoring, and minor dermatological queries are all reasonably addressable via video.

However, there are clear limitations. A vet cannot physically examine a patient via video — they cannot palpate an abdomen, listen to a heart or lungs, take a temperature, or assess hydration. Many diagnoses depend on physical examination findings that simply cannot be replicated remotely. Video consultations are therefore not a substitute for in-person assessment in most clinical situations.

Prescription of medicines requires a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), which under RCVS guidance typically requires physical examination. New prescriptions generally require an in-person consultation, though some platforms work alongside your regular practice to provide follow-up advice within an established clinical relationship.

How Much Do Video Vets Cost?

Most UK video vet platforms charge per consultation, typically in the range of £15–£35. Some operate subscription models, offering unlimited consultations for a monthly or annual fee — these can be cost-effective if you frequently want reassurance or follow-up advice without booking a full practice appointment.

A number of pet insurance providers include video vet access as a standard policy benefit. Companies such as Petplan, Animal Friends, and others have partnered with telehealth platforms to offer policyholders free access. Check your policy documents or call your insurer to find out whether this applies to you — it may be something you are already paying for and not using.

Compared to the £100–£350 cost of an out-of-hours consultation, paying £20–£30 for a video triage call to establish whether an emergency visit is genuinely needed represents excellent value. Even if the video vet concludes that an in-person visit is necessary, the triage call may help you go to the right place (emergency practice versus your regular vet the following morning) and arrive better prepared.

For routine queries — 'is this lump something to worry about?' or 'my cat hasn't eaten today, should I be concerned?' — a video consultation can replace a practice appointment entirely, saving both money and time.

When Are Video Vets Most Useful?

Video vet services are most valuable in four main scenarios. First, out-of-hours triage: when your pet develops symptoms in the evening or at the weekend and you need to decide whether to go to an emergency practice now, wait until morning, or monitor at home. Second, post-treatment follow-up: checking in with a professional about a healing wound, monitoring a known condition, or asking questions about medication — without needing another full appointment.

Third, for straightforward advice queries where physical examination is unlikely to change the answer: nutrition, minor behaviour issues, holiday travel advice, parasite prevention questions, or understanding a diagnosis already made in person. Fourth, for owners in rural areas where the nearest practice is a significant distance away — a video triage call can avoid a long and stressful journey if the issue turns out to be manageable at home.

They are less appropriate — or inappropriate — for acute emergencies, animals in obvious distress or pain, suspected poisoning, breathing difficulties, trauma, or any situation where the vet will clearly need to examine or treat the animal. In those cases, call your nearest emergency practice immediately.

Think of video vet services as a useful complement to in-person veterinary care, not a replacement for it. Used appropriately, they can save time and money, reduce unnecessary emergency visits, and provide access to reassurance and professional guidance outside normal practice hours.

Compare Your Full Range of Local Vet Options with CompareMyVet

Whether you are weighing up video vet services against in-person appointments, or simply trying to find the most affordable local practice for routine care, CompareMyVet gives you a clear picture of what is available near you. Visit app.comparemyvet.uk to compare consultation fees, opening hours, and services across local practices.

CMA reforms introduced in March 2026 require UK vet practices to publish their standard prices, making it easier than ever to compare the cost of in-person consultations against video alternatives. Knowing what each option costs helps you make the right choice for your pet and your budget.

For more on navigating the UK vet landscape, see our guides on how to compare local vets and vet nurse consultations as a cheaper alternative for routine care.