ASKING AI ABOUT YOUR DOG? AI PET CARE IS BOOMING, BUT YOUR VET STILL KNOWS BEST
If you have ever typed "why is my dog eating grass" into a chatbot at midnight, you are far from alone, because AI pet care has officially gone mainstream.
A major new survey released on November 10 has found that more than a third of pet owners have used artificial intelligence to help look after their dog or cat.
And, perhaps surprisingly, many say it has made their trips to the vet better, not worse.
What the AI pet care study found
The research was carried out by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) with Chewy Health, and surveyed 2,008 dog and cat owners in the United States.
All were the main decision-makers for their pet's care, and the group was nationally representative by age and gender.
According to the HABRI and Chewy Health announcement, 81 per cent of pet parents had used AI in some way, and 36 per cent had used it for pet care.
Seven in 10 said they were open to using AI for their pets.
Owners were also 3.7 times as likely to expect to use it more over the coming year than less.
Why pet parents are turning to AI
The reasons will sound very familiar to anyone who has fretted over a sniffly cat.
Some 84 per cent wanted a quick answer, 83 per cent wanted reassurance and 82 per cent wanted to feel more confident in their choices.
That makes sense, because worries about our pets rarely arrive during business hours.
Owners said they value the fact that AI is available around the clock.
Good news for your vet
Here is the part that might surprise you.
Among AI users who have a regular vet, 69 per cent said it had improved their relationship with their vet.
Two thirds felt more informed before an appointment, and 66 per cent said they understood their vet's explanations better.
More than six in 10 said their conversations with the vet had become more productive.
Owners also reported a feel-good effect at home.
Eight in 10 said AI helped them take better care of their pets, and 67 per cent said it had strengthened their bond with their pet.
Where AI falls short
Pet owners in the study were clear-eyed about the limits.
They pointed out that AI cannot examine an animal, and it cannot offer human judgement or empathy.
They rated veterinary teams well above AI for trustworthiness, accuracy and personal advice.
That is an important reminder, because a chatbot cannot feel a lump, listen to a heart or notice that your dog is holding a paw slightly differently.
How to use AI pet care wisely
Think of AI as a helpful starting point, not a diagnosis.
Use it to learn the right questions to ask, then take those questions to your vet.
Researchers at the University of Sydney recently shared tips for using ChatGPT before a medical appointment, and the same common sense applies to our furry family members.
Give clear details, such as your pet's age, breed, weight and exactly what you have noticed.
Jot down when symptoms started and anything that has changed, like eating, drinking, toileting or energy levels.
Be wary of any answer that tells you to give human medicines or home remedies, as some common foods and pills are dangerous for pets.
If your pet is struggling to breathe, collapses, has a seizure, may have eaten something toxic or seems in serious pain, skip the chatbot and call your vet or an emergency animal hospital straight away.
And with snake and tick season in full swing across much of Australia, it is worth saving your local after-hours vet number in your phone today.
The bottom line
AI is fast becoming part of how we care for our pets, and for many owners it is building confidence rather than replacing the vet.
Used thoughtfully, it can help you walk into your next appointment calmer, better prepared and ready to make the best decisions for the animal you love.
