Overview
- Following publication of the RSPCA’s 2026 Animal Kindness Index, the charity says about one in 10 UK pet owners now use consumer AI chatbots for pet-health advice instead of contacting a vet.
- Use of chatbots varies by region, with figures reported around 8% in parts of the North East and about 12% in the North West, and owners most often ask AI about symptoms, behaviour and diet.
- The RSPCA links growing chatbot use to cost-of-living pressure and reports measurable reductions in vet spending, with some owners skipping annual checks or not registering with a vet.
- Vets and TV clinician Rory Cowlam stress that clinical AI tools used by veterinary teams support tests and diagnosis, while text-based consumer chatbots cannot perform physical exams or detect fast medical changes.
- To reduce harm the RSPCA has issued public guidance, launched a Pet Cost Calculator, and urges owners to seek urgent in-person care for clear danger signs such as breathing problems, collapse, seizures or suspected poisoning.