Chiang Mai, Thailand, 18.07.2025
Veterinary care prices in Sweden and Norway vary by clinic type—corporate chains typically charge more than independent clinics, with costs rising annually.
Are corporate veterinary chains driving up animal care costs? A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science analyzed veterinary pricing across 771 clinics in Sweden and Norway, comparing corporate chains, independent practices, and government-run clinics.
The researchers tracked prices for 37 common procedures—ranging from vaccinations and euthanasia to emergency care and planned surgery—collected at five intervals between January 2023 and January 2024.
Corporate clinics like Evidensia and Anicura charged consistently higher prices than independent counterparts. Median annual price increases ranged from 5% to 53%, with Dyrenes venn and Evidensia showing the sharpest hikes. Independent clinics showed more moderate increases, around 6%.
Factors influencing pricing included affiliation type, on-call availability, and weekday opening hours. The authors suggest that investments in equipment, staffing levels, and profit expectations may explain pricing disparities.
The findings point to the need for greater price transparency in veterinary services to potentially curb excessive cost increases and empower pet owners in their healthcare choices.
Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats, and horses in Sweden and Norway: comparisons between corporate chain, government-run, and independent clinics
