Swedish veterinary market faces calls for transparency amidst soaring costs and market concentration

As veterinary costs in Sweden rise by 55% over five years, the government and authorities push for clearer pricing and better competition to assist pet owners facing increasing bills amid market consolidation.

Sweden’s veterinary market is under mounting political scrutiny as owners face rising bills and, in some cases, are unable to afford treatment for their animals. The debate has been sharpened by figures cited in parliament showing veterinary costs up 55 per cent over five years and insurance premiums rising in tandem, while the Competition Authority said price information for sick and injured animals is often unclear or incomplete.

According to the Swedish government, the Competition Authority was tasked in March 2025 with mapping price transparency in animal healthcare and examining how it affects pricing, with a report due by 1 March 2026. In February 2026, the authority proposed national treatment guidelines, clearer website pricing, stronger in-clinic information and possible changes to the Consumer Services Act to cover veterinary care. It said greater transparency could improve competition and help pet owners compare clinics more effectively.

The authority’s report also pointed to a concentrated market: of 676 clinics treating dogs and cats, 76 were owned by Evidensia, 60 by Distriktsveterinärerna, 32 by Anicura and 30 by Svenska Veterinärgruppen, with 445 classed as independent.