New HABRI and Chewy Health Study Finds AI Use Growing Among Pet Parents, Strengthening Engagement with Veterinary Care

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Chewy Health released new research today examining how pet parents are using artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate their pets' care. The findings suggest AI is becoming an additional source of support for pet parents, helping many feel more informed while also showing positive impacts for veterinary-client relationships and the human-animal bond. Among pet parents who use AI for pet care, 69% say it has improved their relationship with their veterinarian, and 80% say it helps them take better care of their pets.

"Pet parents have always looked for information to help them make the right decisions for their pets, and AI is becoming another part of that journey," said Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health. "What's encouraging is that pet parents who use AI are highly engaged with their veterinarians, using it to better understand their pet's health and feel more prepared and confident along the way. That creates an opportunity for veterinary teams to help guide how these tools are used while providing the expertise, judgment and human connection that technology simply cannot replace."

The Artificial Intelligence and Pet Health Study, based on a nationally representative survey of over 2,008 U.S. dog and cat owners, ages 18-70, found that pet parents who turn to AI for guidance also reported stronger human-animal bonds and higher levels of engagement with their pet's care. Among AI users who also have a veterinarian, 80% said it helped them take better care of their pets, 77% said it made them better pet parents and 67% said that it strengthened the bond with their pet.

Pet parents are using AI across a range of moments in the care journey — from managing everyday care and making sense of unfamiliar symptoms to better understanding diagnoses or lab results and preparing for a veterinary visit. Importantly, of pet parents who use AI and have a veterinarian, 67% felt more informed before a vet visit, 66% said that AI had increased how well they understood their veterinarian's explanation, 62% said that their conversations with their veterinarian had become more productive and 69% said that AI had improved their relationship with their veterinarian.

While pet parents appreciate AI for its 24/7 availability, quick answers, reassurance and ease of use, they also recognize its limitations. Pet parents point to AI's inability to physically examine a pet or provide the human judgment, empathy and accountability that pet care requires. These findings suggest that AI is best positioned to complement veterinary teams, as pet parents rate veterinary teams far higher on personalization, trustworthiness and accuracy of information provided than AI.

Additional key findings from the study include:

• AI already has significant momentum among pet parents; most pet parents have used AI (81%), and over one-third (36%) of pet parents report having used AI for pet care.
  
  
• Pet parents are 3.7 times as likely to anticipate using AI more, rather than less, in the coming year. Overall, 70% of pet parents are open to using AI in relation to pet care, with the strongest momentum among younger, more research-oriented pet parents.
  
  
• Pet parents who use AI for pet care seek information to help understand the urgency of a situation. That may result in a quick answer (84%), reassurance and peace of mind (83%), or more confidence in the choices they make for their pets (82%).
  
  
• AI users also report stronger bonds and a greater willingness to spend on their pet's care, with 34% taking the view that "money is no object" compared to only 23% for non-AI users.

"AI usage among pet parents is a clear expression of how much they care about their pets," said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. "HABRI's partnership with Chewy Health allows us to use these important findings to support the veterinary profession and the strengthening of the human-animal bond through communication, understanding and trust."

Chewy Health and HABRI have created The Bond Factor II, a practical guide that helps veterinary teams apply the study's findings at their own practices. The resource offers actionable ways to navigate conversations about AI, provide clear guidance on where the technology can be most useful, and strengthen the communication and trust that drive both the veterinary-client relationship and the human-animal bond.

Read The Bond Factor II digital white paper here: https://www.chewy.com/health/bond-factor-2026 

Survey Methodology
The Artificial Intelligence and Pet Health Study was conducted via a 19-minute online survey fielded May 12 and May 20, 2026, among 2,008 U.S. pet owners aged 18-70, who own a dog or cat and are the primary decision-makers for their pet's care. The sample was nationally representative by age and gender. The full study is available upon request.

About HABRI

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative scientific research to document the health benefits of companion animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.

About Chewy Health

Chewy's mission is to be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet owners and partners everywhere. Chewy Health embodies this spirit with an unparalleled commitment to pets and the people who tirelessly care for them. In response to veterinary care challenges and evolving pet owner needs, Chewy Health is pioneering digital solutions for simple, efficient operations. This leads to more time for hands-on pet care for healthier and happier pets. It's all part of the commitment at Chewy Health to improve the health of every pet by helping to make veterinary professionals' jobs easier.

CONTACT: Becca Thomas, 614-633-5158, [email protected]

SOURCE Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)