Some pets now get better medical treatment than their owners

Rapid access to veterinary care isn't due to a surplus of resources. The UK has only around 25,400 veterinarians caring for more than 30million pets, compared with approximately 132,900 doctors, tending to a population of 68million human patients – a difference of more than five times.

The issue of waiting times is perhaps the most glaring point of contrast. Backlogs for routine GP appointments can stretch into weeks, while specialist referrals often take months. The situation is even more dire in hospitals, where accident and emergency departments are frequently overwhelmed, leading to patients enduring long waits on trolleys.

Elective surgeries are routinely postponed, cancer treatment targets missed, and mental health services are stretched to breaking point. In some extreme cases, the delays in treatment are fatal. A pet owner, on the other hand, can visit a veterinary practice of their choice and expect to be seen instantly.

For a cruciate ligament rupture, a dog might be scheduled for surgery within a month – some veterinary clinics even offer same-day procedures. In contrast, humans often face an 18-month wait.

Similarly, animals needing cataract surgery typically receive it within two weeks, while humans may wait an average of nine months. Even when battling cancer, pets experience significantly faster treatment timelines, receiving care within weeks, while human patients can endure months of delays.

This is because veterinary practices operate on a market-driven model. While the NHS offers free healthcare at the point of access, funded through taxation, pet owners must pay directly for veterinary services or rely on pet insurance. The least well off pet owners can access means-tested free care through charities such as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

This financial incentive drives competition among practices to provide efficient and responsive care.

While the NHS grapples with staff shortages and resource constraints, many veterinary practices offer same-day appointments and often extended hours, ensuring that pets receive prompt attention.

Don't take my word for it; some vets, like Dr Ignacio Calvo – a specialist in veterinary orthopaedics – have suggested that pets often receive superior medical care compared with their owners, particularly in prosthetics where animal surgeries are more innovative.

While NHS doctors and nurses are undoubtedly highly trained and dedicated professionals, they operate in a system under immense pressure. Resource constraints and staffing shortages inevitably impact the time and attention they can dedicate to each patient. Meanwhile, bureaucratic processes and a rigid hierarchical structure can hinder innovation and responsiveness to individual patient needs.

While the NHS benefits from government funding, it often faces bureaucratic hurdles and budget limitations that hinder the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Regulatory and purchasing constraints that inhibit NHS managers are not present in animal care.

Because animals are treated in the private sector, the only constraint on purchasing is cost, and it's up to the owner how willing they are to spend money on a product.