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If you’ve recently noticed your dog pacing your house anxiously or your cat grooming more than usual, you’ve likely found yourself wondering: Is this a physical health issue, or is my pet feeling stressed? You’re not alone! It’s a question that pet parents across the nation ask themselves every day.

In fact, the growing concern about mental health in our pets is so common that it inspired a recent study conducted by MetLife Pet Insurance.

The study brought together 1,000 American pet parents to better understand how we perceive and manage our animals’ emotional health. It revealed that an overwhelming 89% of pet parents believe their pets have experienced anxiety, and nearly half (48%) have dealt with depression or persistent sadness.

Perhaps most surprisingly, 77% of pet parents surveyed reported recognizing a “stress mirror” effect, noting that their pet’s mood often reflects their own mental health and stress levels.

But the study didn’t stop there. Going deeper than just recognizing the presence of mental health struggles in pets, it also asked the participants questions related to the steps they take to understand and address these concerns. It comes as no surprise that, at a time when new technology emerges every day, the first stop for many pet parents is a digital one.

The data shows that approximately 1 in 4 pet owners now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT to assess their pet’s mental health, including 23% of dog parents and 20% of cat parents. This form of “digital vetting” is particularly popular among Gen Z, with nearly three times as many turning to AI as baby boomers do.

More specifically, pet parents are using AI tools to:

• Understand specific behavioral changes (26%)

• Decide if a vet visit is necessary (17%)

• Research potential treatment or calming strategies (16%)

While 42% of respondents said that AI or online research prompted them to take action, there is still quite a bit of uncertainty. Only 21% of pet owners feel very confident in distinguishing between an emotional struggle and a physical illness. This confusion is leading to real-world consequences, with 35% of pet parents reporting mistaking emotional symptoms for physical ones, or vice versa.

Of course, once a loving pet parent notices a change in their best friend’s mood, they will do whatever they can to support their well-being. Over half of the survey respondents (53%) reported changing their lifestyle or daily routine to support their pet’s emotional health.   This includes everything from adjusting work schedules to modifying their home to reduce potential triggers, like loud noises or isolation.

With digital tools offering a quick way to assess behavior changes, we do need to remember that they are just a starting point, not a diagnosis. Whether you are using AI tools to gain clarity or to track patterns in a digital journal, the goal is the same: to provide your trusted vet with the best possible information to do their job.

However, as technology continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that integrating new tech into professional vet care is becoming the new standard for giving our pets the happiest, most balanced lives.

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