TL;DR
- • A standard first consultation lasts 15 minutes and costs around £61 (UK average, June 2026).
- • Bring vaccination records, current meds, insurance details and a written list of questions.
- • Under the CMA reforms (2026), practices must give you indicative prices, prescription fees and ownership info on request.
- • Use the 10 questions at the end of this article to assess the practice.
Before you go
- Pre-register online. Most UK practices use online forms — completing them at home means a faster check-in.
- Request previous clinical history from your previous vet (a legal right under RCVS Code 4.5).
- Sort transport. Cats and small dogs travel safely in a carrier; never on a lap.
- Withhold food for 2–4 hours before the visit if your pet is prone to motion sickness — but not water.
What happens in the room
A typical first consult covers:
- Weight, body condition score, temperature
- Nose-to-tail clinical exam (eyes, ears, mouth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, skin)
- Vaccination history review and scheduling
- Parasite control plan (flea, tick, worm — see our parasite guide)
- Neutering, microchip and insurance discussion
- Any concerns you've raised
If a problem is found that needs investigation, the vet should explain options and quote prices before doing further tests. The CMA's 2026 remedies require written cost estimates on request for treatment over £500.
What to bring
- Vaccination record / passport
- List of all current medications (with strength and dose)
- Pet insurance policy number and direct-claim arrangements
- Sample of current food (label photo is fine)
- Any recent vet notes, scan images or test results
- Your written list of questions
The 10 questions worth asking
- What's your standard consultation fee?
- Do you publish a full price list online?
- What is your prescription fee — and will you provide written prescriptions on request?
- Are you independently owned or part of a corporate group? (mandatory disclosure from 2026)
- Are you RCVS Practice Standards accredited, and at which tier?
- What happens out of hours — in-house team or third-party?
- Do you offer evening or Saturday appointments?
- Do you operate a healthcare plan? What does it include vs out-of-plan pricing?
- Which diagnostics are in-house (X-ray, ultrasound, bloods)?
- Can I request a named vet for continuity at future visits?
What a good practice looks like
- Calm, fear-free handling
- Time to ask questions without feeling rushed
- Clear, written estimates before any non-routine work
- Itemised invoice (not just a single total)
- Clinical notes and lab results shared with you on request
FAQs
How long should a first consult last?
Most practices book 15 minutes. Double appointments (£20–£40 extra) are sensible for complex cases.
Will my pet need vaccinations on day one?
Only if due — bring records to avoid duplicate vaccines.
Can I get a second opinion?
Yes. Any UK vet can request your records under RCVS guidance.
About the data: UK consultation average (£61.07) calculated from 1,625 priced practices in our database, June 2026. CMA references reflect the published Final Report and remedies notice.