Stronger pet bonds are shaping veterinary tech adoption

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A new HABRI-Chewy Health survey is sharpening the case that stronger human-animal bonds are helping drive adoption of veterinary technology. In a January 6, 2026, dvm360 Vet Blast podcast episode, HABRI’s Lindsey Braun and Chewy Health’s Tiffany Tupler discussed findings from the Pet Health Challenges Study, a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 U.S. dog and cat pet parents. The study found the average human-animal bond score reached 60 out of 70, the highest HABRI has recorded, and that pet parents with the strongest bonds were much more likely to use or consider digital tools tied to veterinary care, including telehealth, apps, and wearables. The same research also found that 82% of pet parents struggle to understand their pet’s health needs, and that satisfaction rises when practices combine in-person care with multiple communication channels, such as texting, apps, and telehealth. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t simply that clients want more tech. It’s that technology appears to work best when it supports the veterinary-client relationship rather than replacing it. That point is showing up across the market, from teletriage and teleconsulting models to virtual assistants and AI-enabled practice software designed to extend communication, monitoring, and workflow support without removing the clinic from care delivery. The survey suggests the biggest opportunities are in communication, affordability, and care navigation, especially for younger pet parents and multi-pet households, which report higher stress and stronger interest in digital support. That lines up with existing AAHA/AVMA telehealth guidance, which frames connected care as a way to strengthen communication and patient monitoring, and with AVMA’s latest profession data showing client communication software is more common than telehealth, meaning many practices may still have room to expand digital touchpoints thoughtfully. (habri.org)

What to watch: Expect more vendors and practice groups to position digital tools around communication, trust, and care access, while veterinary teams keep testing which technologies actually improve compliance, workflow, and continuity of care. That likely includes practical use cases such as remote anesthesia support, teletriage, telementorship, virtual front-desk help, and AI features embedded in practice management systems—not just consumer-facing apps. (prnewswire.com)