RSPCA warns rise of AI chatbot advice among UK pet owners

A significant number of pet owners across the UK are turning to AI chatbots for veterinary advice, a trend the RSPCA warns is a "ticking time bomb" for animal welfare. The charity's latest Animal Kindness Index, released this week, reveals that reliance on tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok for symptom checking and behavioral advice is growing, often as a substitute for professional veterinary care.

The data shows regional variations, with approximately 8% of pet owners in Wales, the North East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber now routinely using AI for pet care guidance. In the South East of England, the figure is around 9%, while a UK-wide average suggests about 10% of owners are using such sources. The most common queries involve checking symptoms for unwell pets and seeking advice on animal behavior and body language.

RSPCA officials expressed deep concern that this practice, often driven by financial pressures, could lead to untreated illnesses, legal issues for owners who fail to seek necessary treatment, and overall complacency. The index indicates that more than half of pet owners in several regions are worried about affording veterinary bills, with significant...