The government is discussing a guideline that would serve as a benchmark for veterinary treatment fees, which could make vet bills more predictable for pet owners. There are currently no price controls on veterinary fees, so the same treatment can cost very different amounts depending on the clinic.

Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Harun confirmed the discussions at the Global Animal Production and Veterinary Industry Summit (GAVIS) 2026 on 22 July, acknowledging complaints over the high cost of treatment. He said the department is engaging the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association (MSAVA) and animal practitioners on the proposal, and that implementation will depend on the outcome of those discussions. No benchmark exists yet, and no figures or timeline have been announced.

A Benchmark Is Not A Price Control

A benchmark is a reference price. It tells you roughly what a common treatment, such as a vaccination or a spay, should cost. If your clinic charges far more than the benchmark, you would know, and you could ask why or go somewhere else.

A price control is different. It sets a legal limit on what clinics can charge, and the department has confirmed it does not do this for veterinary fees. Under the proposed guideline, clinics would still set their own prices, so a benchmark would not guarantee cheaper bills. This applies especially to complex surgeries and emergency cases, where costs depend heavily on the animal’s condition. The department has said it wants to hear from clinic owners first, since they are the ones running the businesses affected.

Vets’ Own Costs Are Also Under Review

The government is also reviewing the registration fees that veterinary surgeons pay, which have not changed since the Veterinary Surgeons (Forms and Fees) Regulations 1975 came into force. The Annual Practising Certificate currently costs a vet just RM25, an amount the department says is far too low for the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC) to sustain itself. Gazetting the list of registered veterinary surgeons alone costs the council more than RM200,000 a year.

According to an Agriculture and Food Security Ministry public consultation document, the 51-year-old fee structure fails to account for services the MVC now provides and falls short of modern regulatory requirements. The government is also considering a review of pet laboratory test fees, though no details have been shared on what that review might involve.

The Effect On Your Pet Care Budget

None of this changes what you pay today. Until a guideline is finalised, calling two or three clinics to compare quotes before non-urgent procedures can save you a fair amount, since fees vary from clinic to clinic. Setting aside a monthly amount for pet care helps absorb surprise bills, and pet insurance plans such as Etiqa’s PAWer Insurance can cover part of the cost if your pet falls ill or gets injured. If the benchmark goes ahead, you will be able to compare your clinic’s charges against a published reference before agreeing to a treatment.

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