Vet care in France up 23.4% in ten years, faster than general inflation: why treating pets keeps getting dearer and how cat and dog owners can save without risking their health

What happened

The French website JeChange has analysed data from the national statistics office Insee on the prices of veterinary services. Between 2015 and 2025, the price index for veterinary and other pet services rose by 23.4%. Over the same period overall consumer prices in France rose by 21%. So looking after pets became more expensive faster than the cost of living in general.

The pet services price index stood at 123.42 points in 2025, against a base of 100 in 2015, while the overall price index was 120.95.

What these prices include

It is worth noting that the Insee index does not cover vet care alone. It also includes other pet services: grooming, clipping, boarding and pet sitting. So the figures show the overall picture of spending on pet services, not just the cost of a vet visit.

How prices changed over the years

The picture is uneven. Between 2015 and 2022, pet service prices rose by 9.5%, more slowly than general inflation of 12%. Between 2022 and 2025 things changed sharply: pet services rose by 12.7% while overall prices rose by only 8%. Over the two years from 2023 to 2025, the increase was 7.4% against 3% inflation.

What happened in recent months

In 2025 pet services became 3.2% more expensive, even though general inflation in France was just 0.9%. Between September 2025 and September 2026 the increase slowed to 2.2%, but it remains noticeable. For many families a trip to the vet has become a significant expense.

Why treatment is getting dearer

There are several reasons. Veterinary medicine is becoming ever more sophisticated: practices buy ultrasound, X-ray and CT equipment and lab analysers, and carry out complex operations that were not done before. Salaries for vets and nurses are rising, and staff are in short supply. Energy, rent and medicines have all gone up. All of this feeds into owners' bills.

The role of chains

Another factor being debated in France is the growth of veterinary chains. Large groups are buying up independent practices across the country. According to France's competition authority, the share of vets working for chains rose from 18.5% in 2023 to 27.6% in 2025. Chains invest in equipment, but they also need to recoup their investment.

Why chains are controversial

Supporters say chains give practices money for modern equipment, staff training and 24-hour services. Critics worry that big groups put financial targets ahead of the interests of animals and owners: ordering more tests, raising prices and squeezing out independent practices. Many owners do not even know that their practice belongs to a chain.

What the competition authority said

On 13 October 2025 the French competition authority published an opinion on the veterinary services market. It examined 12 large chains, noted their rapid growth and warned of the risk that in some areas competition between practices could weaken and prices rise. The authority called for greater price transparency for owners.

What the veterinary council says

According to France's veterinary council, practice turnover has been rising since 2021 even though the number of consultations has stayed roughly the same. That means owners are paying more per visit, because of new tests, more complex treatment and general price rises.

Why owners feel the rise more

A vet visit is an irregular expense. If the animal is healthy, the owner pays once a year for vaccinations and a check-up. But when it falls ill, the bill can suddenly run into hundreds or thousands of euros. It is these unexpected costs that hit budgets hardest and sometimes lead owners to delay treatment.

Why delaying is dangerous

If you put off a vet visit, the illness may become more serious and treatment even more expensive. Untreated tartar, for example, leads to extractions, and a neglected urinary problem in a male cat can lead to emergency surgery. An early visit is usually cheaper than treating complications later.

How to compare prices

In France, vet practices must display their prices for basic services. Owners can ask for an estimate before expensive treatment and compare the prices of different practices. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority has proposed similar requirements for published price lists. But price should not be the only factor in choosing a practice: the vets' experience, emergency cover and trust matter too.

How to choose a practice

A good practice explains the diagnosis and treatment options, gives prices in advance and does not rush you into a decision. Find out whether it offers night and weekend cover or works with an out-of-hours service. Ask whether it belongs to a chain if that matters to you. Reviews from other owners can also help.

Do you need insurance

Pet insurance is much less widespread in France than in Sweden or the UK. Only a small proportion of cats and dogs are insured. Insurance helps cover large bills for illness or injury, but policies have limits: age, excluded conditions, excess and caps.

How to choose a policy

Before buying, read the terms carefully: which conditions are covered, whether there is a waiting period, what share of costs is reimbursed, whether there is an annual limit and how the premium changes as the animal ages. It is best to take out insurance while the animal is young and healthy, otherwise many conditions may not be covered.

An alternative to insurance

Some owners set aside a small sum each month in a separate savings account for vet bills. That helps them cope with unexpected costs without borrowing. Some practices offer health plans covering vaccinations, check-ups and parasite treatment for a fixed monthly fee.

Prevention saves money

Regular vaccinations, flea, tick and worm treatment, an annual check-up, the right diet and weight control help prevent many illnesses. Obesity in cats and dogs leads to diabetes, joint and heart disease, and treating them is expensive. Prevention costs far less.

Teeth, a common hidden problem

Dental disease is one of the most common problems in cats and dogs over three years old. Brushing your pet's teeth at home and having them checked at the annual check-up can help avoid costly dental treatment under anaesthetic. Special diets and toys also help, but they do not replace brushing.

What to do if money is short

If you cannot afford treatment, tell your vet honestly. They may suggest a simpler treatment option, payment in instalments or a charity. In France there are animal welfare organisations that help owners on low incomes with vet bills, and in the UK charities such as the PDSA and Blue Cross provide similar support.

How other countries compare

Rising vet prices are a concern across Europe. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority carried out a major investigation into the vet services market and proposed measures to improve price transparency. In Germany the official scale of veterinary fees was updated in 2022, and prices rose. France is following the same trend.

Why there is a shortage of vets

France, like many European countries, is short of vets, especially in rural areas and for night cover. Young vets increasingly choose to work in cities and for chains offering fixed hours. The staff shortage also affects prices, because practices compete for staff and raise salaries.

What owners can do

1. Do not skip the annual check-up and vaccinations.
2. Ask for an estimate before expensive treatment.
3. Compare insurance policies or save in advance.
4. Keep an eye on your pet's weight and teeth.
5. Talk to your vet about treatment and payment options.

How transparency helps owners

When practices publish their prices for vaccinations, neutering, check-ups and emergency care in advance, owners can plan more easily and compare practices. Competition authorities in France and elsewhere see transparency as the key tool for keeping price rises in check.

What this means for Europe

Vet prices rising faster than inflation and the spread of veterinary chains are a shared trend in France, Germany, the UK and other European countries. Cat and dog owners should plan ahead: invest in prevention, compare insurance or save money rather than waiting until their pet falls ill.

When to see a vet

Do not delay if your pet has stopped eating, has been vomiting or had diarrhoea for more than a day, is lethargic, is lame, is going to the toilet frequently, or if a male cat is straining to urinate without success. An early visit is usually cheaper and safer than treating an illness that has been left to get worse. An annual check-up helps catch problems early.