Who may treat my animal? (Dutch law)

The basic rule: the Animals Act

In the Netherlands, the Animals Act (2011) regulates who may perform veterinary procedures. The principle is clear: making a diagnosis, prescribing veterinary medicinal products and invasive interventions are reserved procedures. Only a registered veterinary surgeon, entered in the register of the Royal Dutch Veterinary Association (KNMVD), may perform these.

What is exclusively permitted for the veterinary surgeon?

• Making a diagnosis in a sick or injured animal
• Prescribing and administering prescription-only veterinary medicinal products
• Performing surgical interventions
• Carrying out diagnostic investigations as part of treatment (X-rays, blood tests)
• Castrations, sterilisations and other invasive interventions

Paraveterinary professions

In addition to the veterinary surgeon, there are practitioners who are permitted to perform certain procedures, usually under supervision or following referral by a veterinary surgeon:

Alternative and complementary therapists

Acupuncturists, homeopaths, herbal therapists and other complementary therapists are not legally recognised as a paraveterinary profession. In practice, this means that they:

• may not make a diagnosis
• may not prescribe or administer prescription-only products
• may not perform invasive procedures

What they are permitted to do: offer non-invasive, supportive treatments — provided they do not make medical claims and the veterinary surgeon is informed [4][5]. The legal boundary lies not in the method itself, but in performing reserved procedures without registration.

The absence of legal recognition also means that there are no legally established training requirements or disciplinary law for this professional group. Quality assurance proceeds via voluntary professional associations — but membership is not mandatory and control mechanisms vary considerably [4].

What does this mean for you as an animal owner?

• Is your animal sick or injured? Always consult a veterinary surgeon first. This is not only the legally correct route, but also medically necessary.
• Are you considering complementary therapy? Inform your veterinary surgeon. Collaboration is the safest approach and prevents an underlying condition from remaining untreated.
• Ask any therapist about their training, membership of a professional association, and whether they work on referral from a veterinary surgeon.

Supervision and reporting point

The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) supervises compliance with the Animals Act. If you suspect that someone is performing veterinary procedures without authorisation, you can report this via nvwa.nl. Misleading medical claims regarding animal treatment may additionally fall under the Act on Unfair Trading Practices.