AI Use Growing Among Pet Parents, Strengthening Vet Relationships
News related to:HABRI · 3 min read
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Chewy Health have released new findings from a study examining the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in pet care. The study, based on a nationally representative survey of over 2,008 U.S. dog and cat owners, ages 18-70, reveals that AI is becoming an increasingly important tool for pet parents, with 81% of respondents having used AI for pet care.
According to the research, 69% of pet parents who use AI say it has improved their relationship with their veterinarian. Additionally, 80% of these pet parents report that AI helps them take better care of their pets. These findings suggest that AI is not only enhancing the human-animal bond but also strengthening the engagement between pet owners and their veterinarians.
The study highlights that pet parents are using AI across various moments in the care journey, from managing everyday care and making sense of unfamiliar symptoms to better understanding diagnoses or lab results and preparing for a veterinary visit. Among pet parents who use AI and have a veterinarian, 67% feel more informed before a vet visit, 66% say that AI has increased how well they understood their veterinarian's explanation, and 62% report that their conversations with their veterinarian have become more productive.
Pet parents appreciate AI for its 24/7 availability, quick answers, reassurance, and ease of use. However, they also recognize its limitations, noting that AI cannot physically examine a pet or provide the human judgment, empathy, and accountability that pet care requires. These findings suggest that AI is best positioned to complement veterinary teams, as pet parents rate veterinary teams far higher on personalization, trustworthiness, and accuracy of information provided than AI.
The study also found that pet parents who use AI for pet care are 3.7 times as likely to anticipate using AI more in the coming year. Overall, 70% of pet parents are open to using AI in relation to pet care, with the strongest momentum among younger, more research-oriented pet parents. Pet parents who use AI for pet care seek information to help understand the urgency of a situation, with 84% wanting a quick answer, 83% seeking reassurance and peace of mind, and 82% wanting more confidence in the choices they make for their pets.
Moreover, AI users report stronger bonds and a greater willingness to spend on their pet's care. Thirty-four percent of AI users take the view that "money is no object" compared to only 23% of non-AI users. These findings underscore the growing importance of AI in pet care and its potential to enhance the human-animal bond.
To support the veterinary profession and the strengthening of the human-animal bond, HABRI and Chewy Health have created The Bond Factor II, a practical guide that helps veterinary teams apply the study's findings at their own practices. The resource offers actionable ways to navigate conversations about AI, provide clear guidance on where the technology can be most useful, and strengthen the communication and trust that drive both the veterinary-client relationship and the human-animal bond.
The study was conducted via a 19-minute online survey fielded May 12 and May 20, 2026, among 2,008 U.S. pet owners aged 18-70, who own a dog or cat and are the primary decision-makers for their pet's care. The sample was nationally representative by age and gender. The full study is available upon request.