Google has become a routine part of how pet owners find, evaluate, and choose veterinary practices. What’s changing is how much of that process pet owners are handing over to Google.

A few years ago, a pet owner searching for a veterinarian would type “vet near me,” browse a few websites, read reviews, compare services, and make a few phone calls. The practice that seemed friendly and communicated clearly often won the appointment.

However, Google AI tools are starting to do much of that work for pet owners.

Instead of calling your clinic directly, a pet owner may ask Google a question like, “Which veterinary practice near me offers same-day appointments, accepts new clients, and has good reviews?” Google’s AI can gather information from websites, reviews, online scheduling platforms, and even make calls to veterinary practices on the owner’s behalf. It then summarizes the results and presents recommendations before the pet owner ever visits your website.

In other words, the first impression of your practice may increasingly come from Google’s summary rather than your homepage.

That creates both challenges and opportunities.

The challenge is that practices can no longer rely solely on a beautiful website or a strong relationship with long-time clients. If your hours are outdated online, your services aren’t clearly described, or your team gives inconsistent answers when answering the phone, Google’s AI may struggle to accurately represent your practice.

The opportunity is that practices that communicate clearly and consistently will stand out.

Think about the questions pet owners ask every day:

• Are you accepting new clients?
• How quickly can I get an appointment?
• What payment options do you offer?
• Do you see exotic pets?
• Do you offer surgery, dentistry, or urgent care services?

If those answers are easy to find online and your team communicates them consistently, both pet owners and AI tools can confidently understand what makes your practice unique.

This trend also reinforces something we’ve been discussing for years: convenience matters. Pet owners increasingly expect online scheduling, text communication, transparent pricing discussions, and quick answers to common questions. Practices that make information easy to access are often rewarded with stronger client engagement and fewer barriers to care.

So what can you do today to make your practice stand out?

Audit your online presence: Review your website, Google Business Profile, social media pages, and online directories. Make sure hours, services, contact information, and appointment options are accurate and consistent.

Review your client communication: If three team members answer the same question differently, Google’s AI and your clients may receive mixed messages.

Make answers to frequently asked questions easy to find: Create clear FAQs covering services, payment options, appointment availability, and what clients can expect during visits.

Monitor reviews and respond thoughtfully: Reviews continue to play a major role in how both pet owners and AI tools evaluate practices.

Focus on trust: Technology may change how pet owners find you, but it doesn’t replace the relationship you build once they walk through your doors.

Google may be taking up more space between pet owners and veterinary practices, but the practices that communicate clearly, deliver consistent experiences, and build trust will continue to thrive. The technology is changing. The importance of being a trusted advisor isn’t.

Written by Meghan Bingham, CVPM