Better price information to make it easier for pet owners to choose veterinary care

“Our investigation shows that many pet owners find themselves in a difficult situation when making decisions concerning their sick or injured pets. In order to make a well-informed and active choice of veterinary care provider, they need to receive as clear information as possible about treatment options and prices, and also be able to understand the information provided. This is not the case today,” says Marie Östman, Director General of the Swedish Competition Authority.

In the inquiry published today, we conclude that price information for preventive veterinary care, such as vaccinations and neutering, is relatively good. However, price transparency is significantly lacking when it comes to the treatment of sick or injured animals. In order to improve price information in this area, we are presenting the following proposals.

We propose that the Government appoint a commission of experts, or a special investigator, to develop national guidelines for treatments and procedures relating to common injuries and illnesses, primarily for dogs and cats.

In our assessment, these guidelines would provide pet owners with better opportunities to compare procedures and treatments between different clinics and animal hospitals. They would also enable clinics to establish clearer pricing structures, which could, for example, include package prices.

The Government should instruct the Swedish Consumer Agency, or another appropriate authority, to conclude an industry agreement with veterinary care providers on the publication of price information for certain procedures and fees on their websites. This would improve pet owners’ ability to compare prices in advance when choosing a provider.

When pet owners seek care at clinics and animal hospitals, the price information they receive is often inadequate. Operators in the veterinary care sector must take responsibility for providing clear information about prices. We therefore propose that the Swedish Consumer Agency carry out information initiatives aimed at pet owners and veterinary care providers in order to increase awareness of the statutory price information requirements.

The Government should appoint a special investigator to consider amending the Consumer Services Act so that it also covers services for the treatment of live animals. Such an amendment would strengthen the standing of consumers when purchasing veterinary care services.

“During our work to examine price transparency in veterinary care, many pet owners and market participants have contributed valuable knowledge. We are grateful for this. Our hope is that the proposals we are now presenting will lead to better price information, making it easier for pet owners to make decisions about care for their sick animals. Increased price transparency may also lead to improved competition in the market and benefit those veterinary clinics and hospitals that seize opportunity to compete on price and quality in their offerings to pet owners,” says Marie Östman.

The report Åtgärder för att förbättra pristransparensen inom djursjukvården (Measures to Improve Price Transparency in Veterinary Care) was commissioned by the Government. The assignment included, inter alia, mapping price transparency in the market for animal health and medical care.

Leif Nordqvist, Project Manager, +46 8 700 16 92,
leif.nordqvist@kkv.se

Marie Strömberg Lindvall, Press Officer, +46 8 700 15 92,
marie.stromberglindvall@kkv.se

Read the report (in Swedish)