The Role of AI in Improving Pet Care

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, including veterinary medicine. Its impact on practice management will be significant in the coming years. Examining the role of AI in improving pet care helps practice owners and managers future-proof their clinics for long-term success.

VetBadger understands the unique needs of veterinary medicine clinics since one of our co-founders is also a private practice veterinarian. We know that learning how and when to use technology in your practice is crucial to staying profitable while maintaining a healthy work-life harmony. Claim your free live demo of our software today to see how we can support you.

Where Is AI Showing Up for Vet Med?

Regardless of anyone’s opinions on the matter, AI appears to be here to stay. It’s evolving rapidly and reaching into every industry around the globe. Let’s explore how AI is reshaping pet care practices and the potential benefits it brings to pet owners and veterinary professionals.

1. Health Monitoring and Diagnostics

Pet owners are starting to use AI-powered tools to monitor their pets' health more effectively.

Wearable devices such as smart collars and health trackers monitor vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns. These devices use AI algorithms to detect early signs of health issues, such as abnormal heart rates or behavioral changes, allowing for timely interventions.

Those in veterinary medicine need to be prepared to answer client questions that arise from this AI-generated data. The tech is still evolving and may not always provide accurate information, potentially causing alarm for no reason. Conversely, it could offer a false sense of security to pet owners, overlooking health conditions that need attention.

Just as a smartwatch doesn’t remove the need for humans to see a doctor from time to time, these pet health tools don’t remove the need for vet visits. It’s critical that you stay in communication with your clients to remind them about preventative appointments and the need for physical exams for their pets.

2. Pet Training and Behavior Management

Artificial Intelligence is reaching beyond physical wellness by enhancing training techniques and behavior analysis. AI-driven systems claim to analyze pets' actions and emotional states to provide insights into their well-being. For example, some apps can detect stress or happiness in dogs and suggest tailored training methods.

There are even advanced AI tools that claim to analyze a pet’s vocalizations and body language to interpret emotions. For instance, some technologies appear to identify several distinct emotional states in dogs.

Machine learning models may also adapt training exercises based on a pet's progress, making the process more effective and less stressful. Again, while these tools can be quite helpful, they don’t yet supersede human expertise and intuition when it comes to pet behavior management.

3. Convenience Through AI

On the practical side for veterinary practice owners and managers, AI simplifies administrative tasks to free up more time for client care. Options such as ChatGPT speed up the process of creating client emails, onboarding documents, and clinic SOPs. Simplifying these time-consuming projects gives you more energy to care for your patients.

The Future Role of AI in Improving Pet Care

The integration of AI into pet care is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Industry projections suggest that by 2035, the market for AI in pet care will reach $15.34 billion.

To fully leverage these coming advancements, vet med professionals should take the following steps whenever possible:

• Educate your clients to view AI as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for professional veterinary advice.
• Educate yourself on new advancements in AI and machine learning.
• Look for opportunities to collaborate with AI developers to ensure responsible use of these technologies.

AI has the potential to improve how we care for our pets. Your veterinary practice can thrive and succeed with the strategic use of AI tools and technology that support your work, not overtake it. Learn more about how the all-inclusive VetBadger platform helps you manage your practice with a free demo today.