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Tips & Advice  28 June 2025  9 min read 

# Your First Vet Visit UK 2026: What to Expect, What to Bring & The 10 Questions to Ask

By Simon Moore · Last reviewed 25 June 2026

![Your First Vet Visit UK 2026: What to Expect, What to Bring & The 10 Questions to Ask](/assets/first-vet-visit-CDFdZ-3h.webp)

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

1.  **Pre-register online.** Most UK practices use online forms — completing them at home means a faster check-in.
2.  **Request previous clinical history** from your previous vet (a legal right under RCVS Code 4.5).
3.  **Sort transport.** Cats and small dogs travel safely in a carrier; never on a lap.
4.  **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](/blog/flea-tick-prevention-guide-uk))
-   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

1.  What's your standard consultation fee?
2.  Do you publish a full price list online?
3.  What is your prescription fee — and will you provide written prescriptions on request?
4.  Are you independently owned or part of a corporate group? (mandatory disclosure from 2026)
5.  Are you RCVS Practice Standards accredited, and at which tier?
6.  What happens out of hours — in-house team or third-party?
7.  Do you offer evening or Saturday appointments?
8.  Do you operate a healthcare plan? What does it include vs out-of-plan pricing?
9.  Which diagnostics are in-house (X-ray, ultrasound, bloods)?
10.  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.

## Sources & further reading

-   [RCVS — Code of Professional Conduct](https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/)
-   [CMA — Veterinary services market investigation: final report](https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/veterinary-services-market-investigation)
-   [BVA — Choosing and using a vet](https://www.bva.co.uk/)

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