Consultation and preventative care
How much does emptying the anal glands cost?
Emptying the anal glands typically costs £28 at a UK vet. That is the middle price across 549 practices that publish one: independent vets typically charge £28 and the big chains £30. Below: how much it varies, where it costs least, and what the price usually includes.
What this covers: Appointment with the vet surgeon or RVN.
Size of pet:
How much it varies
How many vets charge each amount for emptying the anal glands, in £5 steps. The dark bar holds the typical price.
By region
Typical price in each part of the UK, cheapest first.
| Region | Typical | Vets |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | £24 | 52 |
| London | £24 | 24 |
| Northern Ireland | £25 | 8 |
| East Midlands | £26 | 56 |
| North East | £26 | 16 |
| Wales | £26 | 42 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £27 | 62 |
| North West | £28 | 40 |
| South West | £29 | 65 |
| East of England | £31 | 60 |
| South East | £32 | 66 |
| Scotland | £36 | 47 |
Where it costs least
Typical price in the town, where three or more vets publish it.
| Doncaster 3 vets | £18 |
| Worcester 3 vets | £20 |
| Peterborough 6 vets | £20 |
| Stafford 3 vets | £22 |
| Exeter 6 vets | £23 |
| Dudley 4 vets | £23 |
| Medway 3 vets | £23 |
| Colchester 3 vets | £23 |
| Birmingham 4 vets | £24 |
| Farnham 3 vets | £25 |
| Leeds 11 vets | £25 |
| Sheffield 3 vets | £26 |
Where it costs most
| Cheltenham 4 vets | £46 |
| Fife 5 vets | £46 |
| Northampton 3 vets | £46 |
| Tewkesbury 3 vets | £46 |
| Derby 4 vets | £42 |
| Lancaster 3 vets | £39 |
| Leicester 4 vets | £34 |
| Wakefield 5 vets | £33 |
| York 5 vets | £32 |
| Glasgow 6 vets | £32 |
| Kirklees 4 vets | £30 |
| Gloucester 8 vets | £29 |
The cheapest vets in the UK for emptying the anal glands
Check what each price includes before you compare.
| Practice | Town | Owner | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawsitive Vet Care | Kidderminster | Independent | £5 | |
| MyVet Salisbury | Salisbury | Independent | £10 | |
| Vicarage Veterinary Centre | Lincoln | Independent | £12 | |
| Vethouse | Arundel | Independent | £12.50 | |
| Peel Veterinary Clinic Beverley | Beverley | Independent | £12.62 | |
| Peel Vets Hornsea | Hornsea | Independent | £12.62 | |
| RSPCA Coventry & District Vet Clinic | Coventry | Charity | £13 | |
| Craig Robinson Vets Rosehill | Carlisle | Independent | £13.80 | |
| Craig Robinson Vets Wigton Road | Carlisle | Independent | £13.80 | |
| Bentley Road Vets | Doncaster | Independent | £15 | |
| Forth Coast Veterinary Clinic | Fife | Independent | £15 | |
| Hatchmoor Veterinary Practice | Torrington | Independent | £15 | |
| Huntsbridge Vets | Huntingdon | Independent | £15 | |
| Ivy Lodge Veterinary Clinic | Upminster | Independent | £15 | |
| Knotts Yard Veterinary Practice | Thetford | Independent | £15 |
A low price with nothing in the "included" column may mean the vet has not said, not that nothing is included. Open the practice for the detail.
What the price covers, and why it varies
The standard definition: Anal gland expression
Other prices in the same group: First consultation, Repeat consultation, Out-of-hours consultation, Nurse consultation, Nail clipping, Microchipping, Animal health certificate, Vaccinations – primary course, Vaccinations – booster, Kennel cough vaccination, Pet care plan (monthly). All 36 treatments.
Common questions
How much does anal gland expression cost at the vet in the UK?
Typically £27.60. That is the middle price across 549 UK practices that publish one, so half charge less and half charge more. Independent vets typically charge £27.50 and the big chains £29.51. The cheapest town with three or more priced vets is Doncaster, where the typical price is £18.
Does the price of anal gland expression depend on the size of my pet?
Yes. Most practices price anal gland expression by weight. Typical published prices: all pets £27.60; dogs (all sizes) £38.85. The standard list uses cats and five dog sizes (small, medium, large, extra large and giant), but each practice sets its own kilogram limits, so ask which band your pet falls in.
How can I pay less for anal gland expression?
Compare the vets in your own town first: the gap between the cheapest and dearest is often larger than the gap between towns. If you are near Doncaster or another of the cheaper towns listed above, it may be worth the drive for a planned procedure. Ask for a written estimate before you agree to anything, which practices must give for treatment over £500.
What does the anal gland expression price include?
The standard list defines it as: Appointment with the vet surgeon or RVN. Published prices include VAT and are for a typical case. Complications cost more.
Why do vets publish the price of anal gland expression?
Because the competition regulator told them to. It found in 2026 that owners could not compare vet prices and that prices had risen faster than inflation, so every practice now has to publish the same 36 prices, including anal gland expression, on its website one click from the home page. The big chains must do it by 23 December 2026 and everyone else by 23 March 2027.
Not veterinary advice. This page compares what practices charge. It does not say whether a treatment or a medicine is right for your animal, and nothing here should be used to start, stop or change any treatment. Only your own vet, who can examine your animal, can advise you. If your animal is unwell, ring a vet. In an emergency, use an out-of-hours vet.
How this is ordered. By price, lowest first, unless you sort it yourself by clicking a heading. Nobody pays to appear here, to appear higher, or to be left out, and no practice has any say in the order. How we collect prices.
About these prices: each figure is as published on the practice's own website on the date shown, VAT included where the practice says so, for the size of pet and the inclusions stated. Practices now have to publish a standard price list and keep it current (the rules), but the price you pay depends on your pet, so confirm with the practice before you book. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will re-check the source within two working days.