Pet parents look out for these behavior changes in their pets

Call it "petuition": new research has found the average pet parent worries about how happy their pets are 11 times per day, and worries about their pets’ health 10 times per day.

The poll of 2,000 U.S. pet parents, nationally representative and split between respondents with dogs and respondents with cats, found they often worry about their pets' general well-being, from how happy they are (53%), to their overall health status (52%), to what their diet is (46%) and if they're anxious or stressed (41%).

Pet parents will also pay more attention to their pet's diet than their own (91%, compared to 86%).

To identify potential issues, pet parents keep a close eye on how well their pet stays on their normal routine.

The biggest flags that something is off were found to be their pets ignoring meals (35%), having mobility issues (34%), scratching or self-grooming more often (25%), drinking too much or too little (22%) and a loss of interest in their favorite activities and toys (22%).

Once they notice something's off, pet parents are quick to respond, waiting just four hours on average before investigating the cause or reaching out to their veterinarian.

Commissioned by Hill's Pet Nutrition and conducted by Talker Research, the study revealed nearly half (46%) will consult their primary veterinarian for guidance before anything else.

Others will consult search engines (42%), friends and family (26%), social media (11%) and AI tools (9%).

Three in four (74%) pet parents put their full trust in their veterinarian — far more than they trust others in their household (35%), social media (14%) and AI (14%). In fact, AI had the most amount of distrust (23%).

And over the past five years, six in 10 pet parents said their trust in their veterinarian's advice and guidance has only increased.

When seeking advice on their pet's wellness, pet parents consider factors like their own experience with pets (58%), credibility of the source (53%), the science behind the advice (36%) and the largest impacts on their pet (35%).

"As a pet parent myself, I know how important pets are to our families'," said Dr. Chelsie Estey, chief veterinary officer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition U.S. “Veterinary health care teams are essential partners in keeping our furry family members happy and healthy. If you spot a change in your pet’s routine or behavior, reach out to your veterinary team to decide whether simple at‑home adjustments could help or if it’s time for an in‑clinic examination."

The survey found nearly two in three (63%) pet parents have talked to their veterinarians within the past six months about their pets' nutritional needs and how these impact their overall well-being.

Nearly half (47%) consult with their veterinarian about nutritional needs before ever purchasing new foods for their pets. Nine in 10 believe their pets' diet and nutrition play a big role in supporting their pet's health.

Over half (58%) confirmed their pets have a specific condition or need— ranging from anxiety (18%), to weight management (17%), skin issues (16%), joint issues (14%), food allergies (12%) and dental or oral issues (10%).

For 42% of them, the first course of action was to consult with their veterinarian to learn how to manage the condition. Others first chose to adjust their diet (31%), do online research (19%) or give them supplements (19%).

"Maintaining a good diet and staying aware of your pet's nutrition is paramount," continued Dr. Estey. "So much of our own health is powered by what we eat. The same thing applies to our pets, and the same amount of attention is needed to make sure they're getting exactly what they need from their food."

PET PARENTS’ BIGGEST WORRIES ABOUT THEIR PETS
How happy they are - 53%
Their overall physical health (weight, dental, mobility/pain, chronic conditions) - 52%
Diet and nutrition (what and how much they eat) - 46%
If they feel anxious or stressed - 41%
Whether they’re getting enough exercise - 38%
Whether they feel lonely - 34%
If they’re bored - 34%
If they’d benefit from a friend/another pet - 22%
If they’re getting enough or too much sleep - 20%

Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American pet parents, nationally representative of respondents with dogs and respondents with cats who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Hill's Pet Nutrition and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.