Telehealth for pets: Modernizing pet care for busy employees

Workplace culture and the needs of employees have evolved dramatically over the last decade, most noticeably with the rise of pet ownership. Today, millennials are three times more likely to have a pet than a baby, and 48% of Gen Z pet owners see no difference between their pet and an actual human child.

This new family structure is reshaping what’s expected of employers, driving demand for more inclusive benefits that reflect what really matters to employees, including support for their pets.

Across every generation, from baby boomers to Gen Z, pet parents in the workforce see these companions as part of their family. In a recent Vetster survey of 2,000 employed cat and dog owners split evenly by generation, 98% said that their pets improve their quality of life.

While benefits like pet-friendly offices and discounted pet insurance have become increasingly popular, pet healthcare has become a top concern for working pet parents.

And employers are taking note. They’re looking for practical, affordable ways to support the health of their employees' pets while also building a stronger workplace culture and creating value for their business.

That’s where pet telehealth comes in.

Pet telehealth is the practice of connecting pet owners with vets through virtual appointments for clinical care. These visits are usually conducted through video calls, or online chat.

Pet telehealth empowers pet parents to take an active role in their pet’s care. During appointments, owners can share details, photos, or videos with their vet, and describe what’s going on with their pet, like where they’re having pain or if there’s a visible wound or infection.

Pet telehealth offers access to many of the same clinical services as an in-person visit, and it can be just as effective for non-emergency issues, behavioural concerns, chronic care management, and ongoing health and nutritional advice. Pet telehealth is designed to complement routine veterinary care by ensuring pets have access to trusted advice and treatment in the months between annual exams, vaccinations, and other scheduled clinic visits.

Pet telehealth can treat a number of common health ailments, including:

While not every health issue can be treated through telehealth services, many pet health concerns can be dealt with through remote appointments.

These virtual services can also provide teletriage to identify if a serious issue requires in-person care or referral to a specialist.

Continuity of care is another important benefit to consider. Telehealth services can ensure continuity of care by allowing all veterinary care providers access to the most complete information about your pet’s medical history. Vetster makes this easy by saving and storing comprehensive digital medical records so they can be shared with primary veterinary care providers, delivering continuity of care for your pet between virtual and in-clinic appointments.

One way employers can support the growing number of pet-owning employees is by covering the cost of pet telehealth through employee benefits.

Generally, how it works is that employers choose a pet telehealth provider, like Vetster, and then pay a per-employee, per-month cost. Employees can then access the pet telehealth services through an online portal where they can book and attend veterinary appointments.

Since employers cover the cost, the service is free for employees, and they only pay for any prescription medications their pets may need.

Pet telehealth services offer a number of benefits for employees, from providing anytime, anywhere access to top-quality pet care to reducing stress and easing financial burdens.

Virtual pet care offers flexible scheduling, with availability during weekends, holidays and after hours, when most in-person clinics are not open.

Being able to attend an appointment without leaving the home or office also helps minimize disruption to the workday, helping employees stay focused and engaged.

Fast, convenient access to pet telemedicine gives employees peace of mind, knowing expert help is just a click away. Being able to choose a vet based on their availability, location and expertise, and not on cost, is a real comfort for pet owners. When employers cover the cost, it also eases financial stress for those who might otherwise struggle to afford pet healthcare.

Pet telehealth benefits allow pet owners to take a proactive approach to their pet’s health, so they can schedule check-ins for issues before they become an emergency and review their pets' overall health during critical stages in their life cycle.

Pet benefits like virtual pet healthcare help employers foster a positive workplace culture, attract top talent, and reduce costs.

In a recent study, 57% of employees say pet benefits would reduce stress and anxiety, with 80% of employers agreeing that financial stress among workers negatively impacts job performance.

Pet benefits also help employers attract and retain top talent. In a recent Vetster survey,  three in five job seekers say they look for roles that support their lifestyle as pet parents, while 60% employees said pet care benefits impact their company loyalty.

Platforms that offer 24/7 access to the care their pets need, like Vetster, can help employers reduce absenteeism and increase productivity by saving employees up to four hours on average per vet appointment.

While pet telehealth benefits boost employee morale and strengthen company culture, they also offer meaningful business advantages for employers. Vetster has estimated that companies that invest in pet telehealth services save roughly $220,000 annually for every 1,000 employees in their organization.

If you’re ready to invest in pet telehealth benefits for your employees, you’ll want to find a provider with a strong track record and trusted reputation.

Be sure to research the vets listed on the platform and check they’re licensed, verified, and in good standing. Looking at ratings and reading reviews from other pet parents can help give you a good sense of the care experience you can expect from each vet.

It’s also worth checking out reviews and ratings of the platform itself and, if available, feedback on the company as well. For example, a high Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) is a strong indicator of a healthy workplace culture and often leads to better service.

Get benefits that are tailored for the modern workplace. Vetster gives your employees 24/7 access to expert pet care through top-rated virtual vet services. Get in touch with our team today to learn how to get started.