Stronger pet bonds are driving veterinary tech adoption

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Technology is becoming less of a nice-to-have in veterinary care and more of a response to how strongly pet parents feel connected to their animals. A 2025 HABRI-Chewy Health survey of more than 2,000 U.S. dog and cat pet parents found the human-animal bond reached its highest recorded average score, and that stronger bonds were linked to more veterinary visits, greater willingness to spend on care, and higher uptake of tools such as telehealth, apps, wearables, and other digital supports. The findings were highlighted in a January 6, 2026, dvm360 Vet Blast podcast episode featuring Lindsey Braun of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and veterinarian Tiffany Tupler, DVM. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message is that technology adoption appears to follow relationship strength, not replace it. The survey found pet parents with the strongest bonds were about twice as likely to adopt pet-care technology, while 82% said they struggle to understand their pet’s health needs. Recent dvm360 Vet Blast episodes also show what that looks like in practice: teleconsulting models for anesthesia support, teletriage and telementorship services, and virtual assistants that help practices handle communication and workflow gaps. The same research also suggested satisfaction rises when practices combine in-person care with multiple communication channels, including text, email, websites, and telehealth. That creates a practical opening for hospitals to use digital tools to improve education, follow-up, and continuity, especially for younger and more stressed clients. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: Expect more practices, platforms, and industry groups to frame technology as a client-communication and retention strategy, especially around affordability, access, and between-visit support. That may include more AI-enabled software, remote specialty support, and longer-acting therapeutics aimed at reducing treatment burden for pets and owners. (habri.org)