Stronger pet bonds are shaping veterinary technology adoption

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A new HABRI-Chewy Health survey is sharpening the case that the human-animal bond is now a meaningful driver of technology adoption in veterinary care. In a January 6, 2026, dvm360 report based on a Vet Blast Podcast episode, HABRI’s Lindsey Braun said respondents posted an average human-animal bond score of 60 out of 70, which she described as the highest average HABRI has recorded. The discussion tied stronger bond scores to more frequent veterinary visits, greater willingness to spend on care, and higher interest in using digital tools to address pet care challenges. Additional coverage says the survey was nationally representative and included more than 2,000 U.S. pet parents, with 97% saying their pet is family, 77% calling their pet their best friend, and 90% reporting mental or physical health benefits from the relationship. It also found separation from pets was the top stressor across demographics and that 82% of pet parents struggle to understand their pet’s health needs. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t simply that clients like technology more. It’s that adoption appears strongest when digital tools support trust, communication, and continuity of care, rather than replace them. The same survey findings suggest satisfaction rises when in-person care and phone contact are supplemented by tools like telehealth, apps, email, and text, while the biggest friction points remain trust, understanding, and feeling heard. That broader pattern is also showing up in the market: teletriage and telementorship platforms are being used to extend specialist guidance and after-hours support, anesthesia teleconsulting is helping hospitals access boarded expertise remotely during procedures, and virtual assistants and AI-enabled practice software are increasingly being positioned as ways to reduce communication bottlenecks for teams and clients. That gives practices a clearer framework for choosing technology that strengthens the veterinary-client relationship instead of adding noise. (todaysveterinarybusiness.com)

What to watch: Expect more vendors and practice groups to position client-facing technology around education, preventive monitoring, and between-visit support, especially for younger pet parents already using multiple digital pet-care tools. On the clinical side, watch for more emphasis on practical, workflow-friendly tools such as teleconsulting, teletriage, AI-native PIMS features, and longer-acting therapeutics designed to make care easier for both pets and owners. (todaysveterinarybusiness.com)