Nearly two-thirds of veterinary professionals surveyed by the software company Provet Cloud say pet owners aren’t loyal to one clinic, with 68% blaming the issue on fierce competitive pricing.
Provet Cloud’s 2025 Veterinary Insights Report includes data gleaned from a survey of 600 veterinary professionals from the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. Participants were asked about staffing, working conditions, business dynamics and practice management.
“As the veterinary profession undergoes significant shifts in technology, client expectations, staffing demands and more, we believe it is important to hear directly from the people in practice who are experiencing these changes every day and share them with others who are likely feeling similar,” said Valter Pasanen, Provet Cloud’s CEO.
Other findings included:
- Most veterinary professionals are satisfied with their jobs but feel undervalued.
- Retaining staff is a widespread problem, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Work-related stress and mental health issues are prevalent. Across all regions, the average stress level rating was 6.6 on a scale of 1 to 10.
- 78% of respondents say the current mental health support is insufficient.
- Corporate practices report better success in recruiting employees but higher burnout rates.
Regarding business dynamics:
- 56% of small clinics and 44% of corporate practices report declining profitability.
- 88% of respondents say rising costs, such as the cost of living, impact their practice.
Regarding practice management:
- 31% of respondents view consolidation as positive, with U.S. participants showing the most skepticism.
- 77% of veterinary professionals favored independent practices, citing benefits such as the quality of veterinary care, autonomy, flexibility and closer patient connections.
- Over 50% of respondents believe advanced technology enhances patient care, while only 21% said their teams were uneasy with new digital tools.
“This report shows that concerns about staffing, mental health and profitability are top of mind,” Pasanen said. “But the data holds promise. Despite high rates of work-related stress, overall job satisfaction remains strong. The people in-clinic also recognize the vital role of technologies to reduce workload.”
The complete report is at bit.ly/3D9dLJj.