DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Apoquel vs Cytopoint: which itchy-dog treatment costs less in the UK?
If your dog will not stop scratching, the vet will often reach for one of two modern treatments: Apoquel tablets or a Cytopoint injection. They tackle the itch in different ways and they are priced in completely different ways too, which makes a straight comparison tricky. The real prices below let you see how the two stack up for your dog's size and situation.
The quick version
- Apoquel is a daily tablet, so the cost is spread out and scales with your dog's weight.
- Cytopoint is an injection given at the clinic, so you pay per jab plus the consult.
- A bigger dog needs a larger dose of either, which pushes the price up.
- Buying tablets on a written prescription and filling them online can cut the Apoquel bill sharply.
Published and surveyed prices
Why the price varies so much
These two treatments are priced on totally different models, which is why owners find them hard to compare. Apoquel is a daily tablet dosed by weight, so a large dog costs noticeably more than a small one, and the total depends on how many months of the year the itch flares. Cytopoint is an antibody injection that lasts several weeks, so you pay per visit, and a dog that needs it monthly through summer racks up more consults. Both climbed with the wider trend that saw vet prices rise 63% between 2016 and 2023. Ownership matters as well, with the 2026 Competition and Markets Authority review finding corporate practices around 18.3% dearer than independents for the same items.
How to pay less
- Ask for a written prescription for Apoquel and fill it at an online pharmacy, which is often much cheaper than buying at the clinic.
- Remember the £21 prescription-fee cap from September 2026, which limits what a practice can charge to write that script.
- Ask whether your dog only needs treatment seasonally, so you are not paying all year round.
- Discuss whether tackling the trigger, such as fleas or a food, could reduce how much medication is needed at all.
Common questions
Is Apoquel or Cytopoint cheaper overall?
It depends on your dog's size and how long each flare lasts. For a small dog treated all year, daily tablets bought online can work out well. For a big dog needing only a few months of cover, the injection may be simpler. The real prices below help you compare.
Can I buy Apoquel online to save money?
Yes. Ask your vet for a written prescription, then buy the tablets from a registered online pharmacy. The September 2026 rules cap the prescription fee at £21, so the paperwork should not wipe out the saving.
Does pet insurance pay for itch treatment?
Ongoing allergy treatment can be claimable, but skin conditions are a common exclusion once diagnosed. Check whether your pet insurance treats it as a chronic condition and whether the annual limit covers repeat medication.