7 BILLS TRACKED
Blood tests
Routine bloods are quietly one of the highest-margin lines on many bills.
Every price we track (hover a dot)
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 381% more than the advertised list price for blood tests.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
| Year | Region | Practice | What it was | List | Paid | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Scotland (Glasgow) | Independent / charity | Blood sample takingPlus lab fee | £26 | — | source |
| 2026 | North West England / Wales | Independent / charity | Blood test, routine profile | £89 | — | source |
| 2026 | UK unspecified | Corporate / chain | Blood profile (routine)Animal Trust CIC; pre-anaesthetic profile £63, profile+thyroid £121; list valid to Jul 2026 | £89 | — | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Independent / charity | Blood biochemistry and haematology packageThe Craig Vets; pre-op blood screen £45; undated list | £120 | — | source |
| 2026 | North West England / Wales | Independent / charity | Blood test, profile + thyroid | £121 | — | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Blood tests + injection + two medications, catcombined bill | — | £400 | source |
| 2025 | UK unspecified | Unknown | Blood tests + antibiotics + pain-relief injection, 16yo catcombined bill; 16-year-old cat | — | £457 | source |
Common questions
How much does blood tests cost in the UK?
Across 7 real UK prices, the median is £120, with bills running from £26 to £457. These are real prices people paid or that practices published, not estimates.
Why do blood tests prices vary so much?
It depends on where you are, who owns the practice, and exactly what is included. The Competition and Markets Authority found corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average than independents, and vet prices rose 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Is blood tests cheaper at an independent vet?
Often, yes. The CMA's 2026 review found independent practices averaged 18.3% less than the six large corporate groups for comparable work. From September 2026 every practice must publish a price list, so comparing a few nearby is worth it.
Related free guides
- Vet blood test cost in the UK: what you pay and why →
- Cat hyperthyroidism treatment cost in the UK →
- Cat kidney disease treatment and monitoring costs in the UK →
- Dog allergy testing cost in the UK: options, value and what to expect →
- Senior pet blood screening cost in the UK: what a wellness screen is worth →
- Pre-anaesthetic blood test cost in the UK: should you say yes? →
Methodology: prices here are published list prices, bills people reported in public posts or submitted directly, and survey averages. Each row says which it is, with a link to the source where one exists. We never estimate and no sponsor can touch a number. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix or remove it fast.