Study Reveals Pet Owners Turn to Technology to Enhance Veterinary Care

A new survey shows that the stronger the bond between people and their pets, the more likely pet owners are to embrace technology to support their pets’ health and well-being.

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), in partnership with Chewy Health, released findings from the Pet Health Challenges Study, which surveyed over 2,000 U.S. dog and cat owners in February 2025. The research explored both the challenges of pet ownership and how technology is being used to navigate them.

Pets as Family

The results confirm what many pet lovers already know: pets are more than companions—they’re family. Ninety-seven percent of respondents considered their pet a family member, 77% called their pet their best friend, and 90% said their pets had positively impacted their mental or physical health.

Yet, even with these deep connections, pet care can be tough. Seventy-four percent of pet owners reported at least one aspect of caring for their pet as “very” or “extremely” challenging. The study highlighted seven key challenge areas: emotional toll of leaving pets alone, veterinary and health care, quality of life, pet behavior, pet-inclusive housing, affording care and services, and traveling with pets.

“This research opens a host of opportunities for veterinary teams to connect more deeply with pet owners,” said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health. “At Chewy Health, we’re committed to equipping veterinary professionals with tools that allow for tech-forward, personalized care—helping pet owners feel confident, supported, and empowered throughout the pet health journey.”

Technology Boosts Client Satisfaction

Communication plays a critical role in veterinary satisfaction. The study found that 82% of pet owners were satisfied with in-person visits, and 75% were satisfied with phone calls. Satisfaction was highest when veterinarians offered a third technology-enabled communication option—email, texting, apps, or telehealth.

The emotional strain of leaving pets alone emerged as the top challenge across all demographics, while affording veterinary care ranked second. Younger pet owners, lower-income households, and multi-pet families felt these pressures most acutely—35% of households earning under $60,000 and 34% of multi-pet owners cited vet costs as a top concern.

Pet owners with the strongest human-animal bonds were also most likely to adopt technology solutions. Those in the “strongest bond” category were more than twice as likely as other pet owners to use tech to help manage their pets’ care. Areas of greatest interest included tools for affording (45%), finding (44%), and managing (43%) veterinary care.

Younger Pet Owners Lead the Tech Charge

Gen Z and younger pet owners reported the highest levels of stress related to pet care and used an average of 3.6 pet health tools. They showed strong interest in solutions like symptom checkers, smart feeders, robotic litter boxes, wearables, and telehealth services.

“Supporting strong human-animal bonds requires a holistic approach to pet care across society,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “Veterinary teams are at the center of this discussion. When the veterinary-client relationship is strong and enhanced by technology, it becomes the foundation for successful care for pets of all kinds.”

Barriers Beyond Technology

Despite high interest, many pet owners still face challenges understanding their pet’s health. Pet insurance and discount programs are appealing but underutilized. Thirty-one percent of respondents said money was no object when caring for their pets, and this figure rose to 52% among those with the strongest bonds.

“These findings encourage us to rethink how care is delivered, particularly for younger, highly bonded pet owners who are deeply engaged but need more support,” Malhotra said. “Beyond cost, what matters most is easy access to care that feels personal and empathetic.”

The Bond Factor

To help veterinary teams act on these insights, HABRI and Chewy Health developed The Bond Factor, a guide providing actionable strategies to strengthen the veterinary-client relationship and support the human-animal bond.

“HABRI and Chewy Health are committed to strengthening the human-animal bond,” Feldman added. “We aim to educate the veterinary profession and the pet technology industry on the evolving needs and expectations of pet owners.”

The Pet Health Challenges Study was conducted via an 18-minute online survey between February 6–13, 2025, among 2,005 U.S. dog and cat owners aged 18 and older. Respondents were the primary decision-makers for their pets’ care, and the sample was nationally representative by age and gender.