Pet News

A recent collaborative effort between the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Chewy Health has shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by pet owners and their openness to integrating technology into pet care. The Pet Health Challenges Study, which engaged more than 2,000 dog and cat owners across the United States in February 2025, underscores the profound connection individuals share with their companion animals, alongside the practical difficulties of providing optimal care.

The findings emphasize that the vast majority of pet owners, an overwhelming 97%, view their pets as integral family members, with 77% considering them their closest companions. Furthermore, a significant 90% of respondents affirmed the positive impact their pets have on their mental and physical well-being. Despite these deep emotional ties, a substantial 74% of owners reported encountering considerable difficulties in at least one aspect of pet care. Key areas of concern identified include the emotional distress of leaving pets unattended, access to and cost of veterinary care, maintaining pet quality of life, managing pet behavior, securing pet-friendly housing, and the logistics of traveling with pets. Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health, highlighted these insights as a valuable opportunity for veterinary professionals to deepen their relationships with pet owners by leveraging technology to offer more tailored and supportive care experiences.

The study also revealed a critical link between the strength of the human-animal bond and the readiness to embrace technological solutions. Pet owners with the most profound bonds demonstrated a significantly higher propensity, increasing from 24% to over 50%, to adopt technology for managing pet care. The areas where owners expressed the greatest interest in technological assistance were related to the affordability (45%), accessibility (44%), and general management (43%) of veterinary services. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, emerged as frontrunners in technology adoption, reporting higher levels of care-related stress and utilizing an average of 3.6 pet health tools. These younger owners expressed enthusiasm for various tech innovations, including symptom checkers, smart feeders, robotic litter boxes, wearable devices, and telehealth services. Steven Feldman, President of HABRI, underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to pet care, with veterinary teams at its core, suggesting that technology-enhanced veterinary-client relationships form the bedrock of successful pet care outcomes. The research further indicated that 82% of pet owners struggle with understanding their pet's health, and while interest in pet insurance and discount programs is high, actual enrollment remains low. Notably, 31% of pet owners, and 52% of those with the strongest bonds, affirmed that expense is not a barrier when it comes to their pets' well-being, illustrating a strong commitment to their companions.

The collaboration between HABRI and Chewy Health has led to the creation of The Bond Factor, a comprehensive guide designed for veterinary professionals. This resource translates the study's insights into actionable strategies, empowering veterinary teams to foster stronger client relationships and nurture the invaluable human-animal bond. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to continually inform and equip the veterinary and pet technology industries to meet the evolving needs and expectations of pet owners, ensuring that pets receive the best possible care while supporting the emotional and practical well-being of their human families.

Rithum recently unveiled its 2026 Commerce Readiness Index during the Rithum LIVE summit in New York City. This comprehensive report, drawing insights from 200 retail and brand executives across the U.S. and U.K., delves into the preparedness of the commerce industry for the year 2026, scrutinizing critical areas such as the integration of artificial intelligence, strategies for mitigating tariff impacts, and addressing disjointed operational processes. Suzin Wold, CMO at Rithum, underscored the persistent volatility in the commercial landscape, acknowledging that many external forces like tariffs and inflation remain beyond direct control. She emphasized that the pivotal aspect lies in the industry's capacity to adapt swiftly and effectively, positioning the report as a vital guide for executives navigating these complexities.

The index meticulously identifies five primary hurdles that commerce leaders anticipate for 2026. A significant finding reveals that nearly 75% of executives often base their strategic decisions on outdated, inconsistent, or incomplete data, highlighting a major informational gap. Furthermore, approximately half of these leaders still rely on traditional spreadsheets and manual operations, indicating a slower transition to modernized systems. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence poses another challenge, with almost three out of four leaders expressing difficulty in keeping pace with its adoption. Economic and governmental policies also exert considerable influence, as 91% of retail executives note that government policy heavily sways pricing strategies, while 92% of brands confront product complexity as a barrier to cost control, forcing difficult choices regarding pricing, product variety, and promotional activities. Lastly, the report points out dynamic shifts in marketing, with over 90% of commerce leaders having adjusted their marketing mix in the past year. Retailers grapple with revenue losses before checkout due to issues such as broken links, outdated product information, and irrelevant advertisements, whereas brands face post-sale revenue drains from returns, inefficiencies in fulfillment, and customer service challenges.

In an era marked by constant change, the commerce sector's resilience is tested by a multitude of evolving factors. The insights from Rithum's 2026 Commerce Readiness Index provide a crucial foundation for businesses to not only understand the current challenges but also to proactively formulate adaptive strategies. By embracing innovation, refining data-driven decision-making, and streamlining operational inefficiencies, companies can transform potential obstacles into opportunities for growth and sustained success. This forward-thinking approach will empower leaders to not merely react to market shifts but to actively shape a more robust and responsive commercial future, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and strategic advantage.