Stronger bonds are driving pet tech adoption in veterinary care
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Stronger human-animal bonds are shaping how pet parents use technology in veterinary care, according to new research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, or HABRI, and Chewy Health. The survey of 2,005 U.S. dog and cat pet parents found the highest average bond score HABRI has recorded, and linked stronger bonds with more veterinary visits, higher willingness to spend, and greater interest in technology tools that support care. The findings were highlighted in a January 6, 2026, dvm360 Vet Blast episode featuring Lindsey Braun of HABRI and veterinarian Tiffany Tupler, with the underlying study and companion guide released by HABRI and Chewy Health on October 6, 2025. (dvm360.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the message is that technology appears to work best as a relationship extender, not a replacement for care. In the HABRI-Chewy Health study, satisfaction was highest when practices paired in-person care and phone access with a third communication channel such as texting, apps, email, or telehealth. Related reporting across the industry points to the same theme: teletriage and telementorship are being used to expand access to expertise, teleconsulting models are bringing anesthesiology support into hospitals remotely, and virtual assistants and AI-enabled practice software are being positioned as ways to reduce administrative friction for teams while improving responsiveness for clients. Pet parents with the strongest bonds were also far more likely to adopt tools tied to affordability, finding care, and managing care, suggesting that digital workflows may be especially valuable when they reduce friction and reinforce trust. That aligns with broader industry reporting showing pet parents increasingly expect online booking, reminders, record access, and text-based communication. (prnewswire.com)
What to watch: Expect more veterinary companies and practices to position digital communication, monitoring, teletriage, remote specialist support, and AI-assisted workflow tools as part of client retention and compliance strategies, especially for younger pet parents and multi-pet households. The same push toward convenience may also support longer-acting therapeutics that reduce treatment burden at home, particularly for chronic conditions where adherence is difficult. (prnewswire.com)