Educated pet parents are more connected to your veterinary practice, driving better health outcomes for the pets and increased relevance and revenue for the hospital. Yet with all the educational content out there, how can you be sure what your clients read is accurate and high quality? One way is to offer professional articles, written and reviewed by veterinarians, inside your practice’s app.

This strategy enhances pet parent knowledge, increases engagement and loyalty, provides convenience and accessibility, leads to better health outcomes, and strengthens the client-veterinarian relationship. Below, five wins from offering educational content to pet parents.

1. Enhanced pet parent knowledge

Providing educational content to pet parents is a powerful way to improve their understanding of their pet’s wellness. When pet owners are well-informed, they can make better decisions for their pets.

Offering educational content in various formats—visual, auditory, and written—can help reinforce the information. People often retain information better when it is presented in multiple ways. Recommending articles and discussing the content during visits can further enhance the pet parent's understanding and commitment to their pet's health. By empowering pet parents with knowledge, veterinary practices can help reduce anxiety around pet care decisions and improve the overall perception of the practice.

For example, an article on the importance of vaccinations can remind pet parents to schedule their pet's appointments, ensuring that their furry friends stay protected against preventable diseases. This not only drives better health outcomes for the pets, but also fosters a sense of trust and reliability between the pet parents and the veterinary practice. When cat owners only see articles about feline health, for example, they know your value their attention. They won’t have to scroll through feeds of irrelevant articles to get to the knowledge they crave.

2.Increased engagement and loyalty

Regularly updating household relevant educational content can keep pet parents engaged with your veterinary practice. When pet parents read valuable articles in a practice’s app, they are more likely to return to the app frequently, enhancing its perceived value.

The more valuable the app becomes, the more pet owners will use it. Each use increases their estimation of your practice, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted source of information. According to one study, pet owners regard their veterinarians as the most trustworthy source of health information.¹ Sharing health content in your branded practice app leans on that trust to drive outcomes for the pets and business for your clinic.

For example, if a pet parent reads an article about the benefits of regular dental check-ups, they are more likely to follow through with scheduling those appointments. This not only improves the pet's health but also demonstrates your practice's commitment to comprehensive pet care. Tailored content is an engine that drives loyalty between the pet owner and your practice.

3. Greater convenience and accessibility

In today's fast-paced world, convenience is key. Offering educational content through a mobile app allows pet parents to access reliable information anytime, anywhere. This fits seamlessly into their busy lifestyles, showing that the practice values their time.

Consider that seventy percent of pet owners consult the internet for pet health information.¹ Let your practice be the source of some of that information inside your branded app, so you can be sure pet owners are reading household relevant content.

Clients can access in-app educational resources at their own pace, making it easier for them to learn about pet care without feeling rushed. They will appreciate the ability to self-serve and find the information they need without having to wait for an appointment or call or text the practice. This will free up your staff to focus on providing high-quality care versus tracking some questions.

4. Better health outcomes

Educational content can lead to better health outcomes for pets by promoting early detection and treatment of common health issues. Articles that help pet parents recognize symptoms can prompt them to seek veterinary care sooner, ensuring that their pets receive timely and appropriate treatment.

Compliance with veterinary recommendations is also enhanced when pet parents understand the importance of following treatment plans. Educated clients are more likely to adhere to prescribed treatments and preventive care measures, leading to healthier pets and fewer complications. In one survey of veterinary clients, 82.6 percent said online information gave them a better understanding of their pet’s health issue.¹

A pet parent who reads an article about recognizing signs of arthritis in their aging dog can take timely action by scheduling a veterinary appointment. Booking the visit can even be done without leaving the app, adding another layer of convenience. This proactive approach to pet care can lead to earlier detection and treatment of certain illnesses, improving the pet's quality of life.

5. Stronger client-veterinarian relationships

Educational articles authored or endorsed by veterinary professionals reinforce the expertise of your veterinary practice. This fosters trust and credibility with clients, encouraging them to rely on the practice for accurate and reliable information about their pet's health.

Educational content can also serve as conversation starters, prompting clients to discuss specific concerns or veterinarian. Seventy-three percent of clients reported that reading pet health information online led them to ask their veterinarians new questions.1 Encouraging such conversations creates a collaborative environment where pet parents feel empowered making decisions for their pets.

If a pet owner feels informed and supported, their satisfaction with your veterinary practice will grow. They appreciate the effort put into educating them, which can lead to higher retention rates and more referrals. Empowering clients with knowledge fosters a collaborative approach to pet care, strengthening the client-veterinarian partnership.

By offering educational content, veterinary practices can demonstrate their expertise and dedication to pet health, fostering trust and credibility with their clients. This strengthened client-veterinarian relationship can lead to higher satisfaction rates, increased loyalty, and more referrals.