Pet insurance gap exposes UK households to financial risk.

Pet insurance gap exposes UK households to financial risk. Veterinary care costs have surged 63% since 2016, driven by higher overheads, medical advances, and corporate consolidation. About 60% of UK vet practices are now owned by six major corporate groups, up from 10% a decade ago. Despite more than half of UK households owning pets, 40% of dog and cat owners lack insurance, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected bills exceeding £14,000. The Competition and Markets Authority found vet prices rising nearly twice inflation rates and called for regulatory reforms to improve transparency. As corporate ownership expands and costs climb, pet owners face difficult choices between care and affordability.