Last updated: September 2026
Quick answer: A vet health plan is a monthly subscription to your practice that covers routine preventive care, usually the annual booster, flea and worm treatment and health checks, plus a discount on other treatment. Dog plans at the big UK groups typically cost around £18–£28 a month and cat plans around £14–£20. A plan saves money only if you would otherwise buy everything it includes from your vet. It is not insurance and won’t pay for illness or injury.
This guide explains what plans cost, what they include and how to work out whether one is worth it for your pet.
What does a vet health plan cost?
| Provider | Dog plan | Cat plan | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medivet Healthcare Plan | £17.50–£19.50 a month (practice’s own figure) | £15.50 a month | Medivet |
| Medivet (across branches) | £18–£28 a month | £14–£20 a month | Vet Price Comparison Site |
| Vets4Pets Complete Care | £18–£26 a month | Less than for dogs | Vet Price Comparison Site |
Prices vary by branch and, for dogs, often by weight band. Independent practices and university clinics run their own plans too.
What’s usually included
What’s included is broadly similar across the big providers:
- Annual booster vaccination, and kennel cough for dogs
- Year-round flea and worm treatment
- One or two health checks a year
- A discount on other treatment, usually around 10%, and sometimes more on dental work
Some plans add extras. Medivet, for example, advertises a minimum 10% discount on other vet care and 15% on dental care. Always read your practice’s plan terms.
Is a health plan worth it? Run the numbers
Add up what you’d pay for the plan’s contents separately at the same practice, then compare it with 12 months of plan fees. One analysis found that a mid-tier £22-a-month dog plan (£264 a year) was roughly break-even against buying a booster, kennel cough, 12 months of flea and worm treatment and two health checks separately, at around £269. In that case the discount on other care and the convenience decide it.
| A plan is more likely to be worth it if… | A plan is less likely to be worth it if… |
|---|---|
| You’d buy flea and worm treatment from your vet anyway | You already buy parasite control more cheaply online |
| You want to spread costs into a fixed monthly amount | You’d skip some items, such as kennel cough |
| Your pet is likely to need other treatment, where the discount helps | Your pet rarely visits the vet |
| You value regular health checks | You might move practice during the year |
For typical separate prices, see dog vaccination costs, cat vaccination costs and flea and worming costs.
Health plans are not insurance
A health plan covers predictable, routine care. It won’t pay for an accident, an illness or surgery. For those, you need pet insurance or savings. Most owners who can afford it benefit from both: a plan for routine costs and insurance for the big, unexpected ones. See how pet insurance works and does pet insurance cover routine care?
Things to check before you sign up
- The minimum term. Most plans run for 12 months; cancelling early often means paying the full price for treatments you’ve already received.
- Weight bands. Check the price for your dog’s current and adult weight.
- Which products are included for fleas and worms, and whether they suit your pet.
- Whether the discount applies to medicines, food and dental work.
- What happens if you move to a different practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a pet health plan per month?
Typically around £18–£28 for a dog and £14–£20 for a cat at the big UK groups.
Does a health plan include vet consultations?
Most include one or two health checks a year. Some plans, such as some university clinic plans, include unlimited consultations; check yours.
Can I cancel a vet health plan?
Usually, but you may have to pay the balance for treatments already received at full price.
Is a health plan worth it for a puppy?
Often, in the first year, because puppies need vaccinations, parasite control and check-ups. See a puppy’s first-year vet costs.
Key takeaways
- Health plans cost around £18–£28 a month for dogs and £14–£20 for cats.
- They cover boosters, parasite control and checks, plus a discount on other care.
- They save money only if you’d buy everything they include from your vet.
- They are not insurance and won’t cover illness or injury.
Prices are typical ranges and examples, not quotes. Ask your practice for its plan terms and prices.