Vets warn of 'ticking time bomb' for animal welfare as owners turn to AI instead of professional advice

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR Published: 00:01, 29 June 2026 | Updated: 00:01, 29 June 2026 Experts are warning of a ‘ticking time bomb’ for animal welfare as owners are increasingly turning to AI for advice. New data from the RSPCA shows that rather than calling the vet, one in 10 owners are relying on chatbots for reassurance. The most common AI queries are symptom checking for unwell pets, advice on behaviour and body language and dietary tips. Welfare experts say that while AI large language models can be a helpful tool in looking after animals, they cannot replace professional advice. There are concerns that increased reliance on AI could lead to complacency from pet owners and untreated illnesses in animals. It could even lead to people unwittingly breaking the law if they do not get treatment for a pet that is suffering. Gemma Hope, RSPCA Assistant Director of Policy, Advocacy and Evidence, said: ‘AI can be one of many helpful tools responsible pet owners use to understand their animals, and to or to get tips on things like enrichment, play time ideas and more.  ‘But we're worried that, with so many pet owners now using large language models to check the symptoms of poorly pets, or query behavioural challenges, this could be an inadvertent ticking time bomb for animal welfare.’ One in 10 owners turn to AI chatbots for advice rather than taking their pet to the vet, the figures reveals (stock image) The findings, published as part of the annual Animal Kindness Index, fuel concerns that ongoing cost of living pressure are driving some people to seek a ‘quick fix’ towards potentially costly vet bills. The report reveals that 10 per cent of owners admit to reducing their spend on vet care due to financial pressures. Meanwhile one in 20 say their use of AI for health advice was fuelled by the economic situation. ‘AI chat bots cannot physically examine an animal, check their bloods, or understand the fast-moving changes that occur when a pet is in pain,’ Ms Hope said. ‘However good or clever AI may seem, if someone is in doubt about their pet’s health or notices rapid changes, it's vital to reach out to a vet immediately.’ TV’s Rory Cowlam has backed the RSPCA’s call - with the charity teaming up with the celebrity vet to remind the public when AI may be useful, and when they need to seek proper veterinary attention for their beloved pets. He said owners should call a vet immediately if they notice rapid changes in their pet’s behaviour. People should seek urgent care for severe issues like breathing difficulties, sudden collapse, major trauma, suspected poisoning, continuous bleeding, seizures, straining to urinate, a bloated stomach or heatstroke. Mr Cowlam said: ‘In my own clinic, we use AI tools all the time. It can be brilliant for rapidly supporting investigations or lab work so we can treat our patients faster.  ‘But there is a massive difference between a vet using clinical AI to support an examination, and a pet owner using a text chatbot to skip one entirely.  ‘That’s why these new findings from the RSPCA’s Kindness Index could be a real cause for concern.  ‘Animals are hardwired to hide their pain, and AI on our smartphone screens can't feel a bloated stomach, test failing kidneys, or spot the subtle signs of suffering.  ‘AI can be a great tool for brainstorming general pet tips, like how to keep your pet entertained, or enrichment ideas. But when your animal is genuinely sick, a chatbot is not where you should be looking for advice. If in doubt, log out from AI and reach out to a professional.’ It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true.  Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney. 2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted  3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog  4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home 5. Dogs like to be active and don't need as much relaxation time as humans  6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with   7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive  8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won't always suffice  9. Sometimes a dog isn't misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want  10. 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