A survey of 2,000 pet owners found that 55% ask AI for nutrition advice and 43% use AI tools like ChatGPT for pet health information, though 71% still trust veterinarians most for health and nutrition guidance.
- 55% of pet owners ask AI about pet nutrition, making it the most common AI inquiry topic
- 43% use AI tools like ChatGPT for pet health or nutrition information, averaging seven uses per week
- 71% trust veterinarians most for health advice compared to just 14% who rely primarily on AI
- 59% have changed pet care based on AI recommendations, but 50% feel unsure about decisions after online research
- 89% believe AI cannot replace a pet owner's intuition, and only 27% trust AI as much as human experts
"Can pets see ghosts?" "Do dogs know they are dogs?" and "Is my pet jealous?" are among the unusual questions pet owners admit they've asked artificial intelligence, according to new research.
Talker Research
Pet owners most commonly ask AI about nutrition, 55%, and symptoms or illness, 54%, along with pet care products, 52%, and general curiosity about behavior, 50%.
Nearly six in 10 respondents, 59%, say they've changed how they care for their pet based on AI recommendations.
Most still trust vets first
Still, traditional expertise hasn't been replaced. Seventy-one percent of pet owners say veterinarians remain their most trusted source for health and nutrition advice, compared with just 14% who rely primarily on AI tools. When advice conflicts, 64% say they follow their veterinarian, while only 12% side with AI.
"As digital tools reshape how people search for answers, many pet owners are navigating a growing disconnect between convenience and confidence in the information they're finding," said Paul Hagenson, a spokesperson for Darwin's pet food. "With AI-powered tools, social media and online forums all offering guidance with often conflicting recommendations, even well-intentioned research can leave people second-guessing what's actually right for their pet."
While 90% of pet owners say AI and online resources have made them feel more informed, nearly half, 50%, admit they at least sometimes feel unsure about their pet care decisions after researching online.
For some, that uncertainty turns into anxiety: 30% say using AI has made them more worried about their pet's health.
Health, 47%, and nutrition, 33%, are the top triggers of second-guessing, followed by concerns around longevity, vaccinations and behavior.
To navigate the noise, pet owners are prioritizing professional credentials, 57%, ranked as the most trusted signal, followed by personal experience, 34%, and scientific studies, 31%. Just 11% say the accuracy of AI-generated responses is a top trust factor.
Only 27% say they trust AI advice as much as human experts, and 89% believe AI cannot replace a pet owner's intuition.
Fifty-two percent believe AI will become a normal part of pet care within the next five years.
"AI is changing how people gather information, but it doesn't change the responsibility that comes with caring for an animal," Hagenson said. "The most confident decisions tend to come from balancing expert advice with firsthand understanding of your pet, rather than relying on any single source. At Darwin's, we believe that includes making sure pet owners have real people they can call when they have questions about feeding, nutrition, or what's best for their individual pet."
Survey methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 pet owners who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Darwin’s pet food and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 22 – April 28, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.
