Czech Republic Veterinary Market Insight

The Czech veterinary market has experienced relatively strong growth despite the economic crisis and this trend is expected to continue of the next few years. More than half of Czech families own a pet and it is now common for Czech's to view these pets as an extension of their family. In line with this societal change, the welfare of pets is now regarded as an important aspect of overall expenditure and the continued humanisation of animals is resulting to higher spending for premium food, health supplements and also entertainment and wellness.

The Czech agriculture market is not as strong compared to neighbouring countries, it still represents a good market for veterinary equipment suppliers. In a recent survey, 95% of dog owners indicated using veterinary services. In the Czech Republic, hospital services for animals are quite common and the volume of clinics has increased over recent years. The increased purchasing power of Czechs combined with the recent humanisation of animals in society has driven growth in the veterinary market.

The Veterinary Chamber of the Czech Republic reported over 3100 registered vets in the country with the majority having studied at the Brno University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Approximately 45% of vets registered with the Veterinary Chamber operate their own small practices.

Dog owners in the Czech Republic are estimated to spend US$50 million or CZK1 billion a year on veterinary services. Several insurance companies in the Czech Republic are now offering healthcare cover for pets. One of the key growth areas in veterinary services is teeth and mouth care with 64% of dogs showing signs of teeth problems and 80% of dogs with gum issues. Czech legislation is set up in a similar way to the European Union providing an opportunity for distributors and manufacturers the opportunity to sell directly to breeders and pet owners.