Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th September 2025
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Public trusts vets over AI for pet care advice
There has been an increase in public trust since 2024.
Sixty per cent would choose a vet over internet advice.

An RSPCA survey has found an increased trust from pet owners in veterinary professionals, placing consultations over artificial intelligence (AI) advice.

RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index 2025 revealed that 60 per cent of pet owners would go to a veterinary practice for pet care advice, compared to just 38 per cent trusting internet sources.

The response suggests an increase in public trust in veterinary professionals for their pet care advice. This follows a concerning decline, identified in the 2024 survey.

Other sources of information used by the public included their family and friends (29 per cent) and other pet owners (22 per cent).

However, the survey also highlighted ongoing concerns about increasing bills. Seventy-four per cent of pet owners reported that the cost of looking after their pet had increased in the past year.

This has caused more than a third of pet owners to adapt their behaviour to financial pressures, including buying cheaper pet food or buying food less often. Nineteen per cent of pet owners believed their pet had suffered as a result.

There was also concern about how financial pressures might affect pet owners’ abilities to afford pet care and insurance. Nine per cent of pet owners said they no longer bought pet insurance, while five per cent admitted stopping regular, necessary health treatments, such as annual vaccinations.

Rebecca Ashman, head vet at the RSPCA, said: “Encouragingly, these results show that pet owners still place deep trust in their vets - but also reflect the financial strain many owners are currently facing.
 
“As a profession, we are here to help, and have an opportunity to engage owners early with preventive care advice to help manage the costs of pet ownership.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Greyhound Board announces change to vaccination guidance

News Story 1
 The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has published new vaccination guidance, with all greyhounds registered from 1 January, 2027 required to have the L4 leptospirosis vaccination, rather than L2.

The change comes in response to the reduced availability of the 'L2' Leptospirosis vaccine across the UK, and aims to support best biosecurity practice across the racing greyhound population.

GBGB veterinary director Simon Gower, said "While rare, Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can affect both dogs and humans, so it is vital that we offer our greyhounds the broadest possible protection.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Free webinar explores congenital heart disease in dogs

A free webinar is to provide veterinary professionals, dog breeders and pet owners an new insights into congenital heart disease.

Chris Linney, a cardiology specialist and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VSC) member, will present the webinar from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

Dr Linney will explore the types, causes and clinical presentation of congenital heart conditions. This will include diagnostic approaches, treatment pathways and emerging research opportunities.

The session is the third to be organised by The Kennel Club, with the VCS, following an introductory webinar and a talk on acquired heart disease. Dr Linney's webinar consists of a one-hour presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Dr Linney said: "This webinar will be an opportunity to deepen understanding - not just of the diseases themselves, but of how breeders, vets and owners can work together to support affected dogs and improve outcomes for future generations."

Click here to register for the webinar.