Survey: about a third of pet owners use AI for pet care, and most still trust vets more

Veterinary teams scored higher than AI on every attribute the survey measured. The biggest gaps were in personalization (78% vs 11%) and trustworthiness (75% vs 10%). The two came closest on speed of information (44% vs 40%).

Asked about AI's drawbacks, 82% of owners said it can't physically examine a pet and 73% said it can't replace advice from a real person. Only 1% to 2% rely on AI alone. AI users consulted an average of 9 information sources, compared with 5.2 for non-users. Sixty-five percent of owners worry about how AI uses their personal data.

The sponsors also released a guide, The Bond Factor II, which urges clinics to engage with clients' AI use rather than dismiss it. Among AI-using owners, 60% said they would have a better relationship with a veterinarian who encourages AI use, and 56% said they would be upset if a veterinarian discouraged it.

The guide makes four recommendations. Clinics should define roles, with AI helping clients organize questions and the team handling exams, diagnoses, prescribing, and urgent symptoms. They should invite clients to share AI responses during visits. They should help clients write better prompts and remind them to fact-check AI, never change medications based on AI alone, and remove identifying details. And they should give clients clear post-visit materials.

The survey was a 19-minute online questionnaire fielded in May 2026. Respondents were owners aged 18 to 70 who make the main care decisions for their pets, and the sample was nationally representative by age and gender. Chewy Health co-sponsored the study.