Beyond the check-up: How AI and Gen Z are changing veterinary care

PIONEERING technology from animal diagnostics leader MI:RNA can detect disease before clinical signs appear, providing pet owners and farmers with early health insights while also guiding veterinary conversations and care.

GONE are the days when wait and see was an acceptable strategy for our pets' health. In 2026, a more proactive approach to animal health is being taken.

We are entering an era where advanced diagnostic science has the potential to move into our homes with the support of clinics.

Powered by advanced modelling (artificial intelligence) that can analyse simple biological samples with incredible accuracy, home-based detection tools could allow owners to screen for illness before clinical signs even appear.

But what does this shift actually look like for you and your furry companion? Here are the four diagnostic trends that the experts at MI:RNA think could define how we care for our pets this year. 

The growing use of advanced modelling (AI) in animal disease diagnostics:

On the topic of artificial intelligence, similar to how we use AI models and approaches in human medicine to detect cancers or to advance personalised medicine, AI can also be used in the detection of disease in animals, both companion and farm. 

Combining detection of microRNA with the development of complex artificial intelligence models to identify patterns allows veterinary scientists to see patterns that typically indicate a specific disease, but also to predict how the animal will react, and what the likely outcome will be.

Being able to effectively detect the presence of a disease before it shows obvious signs is a key first step in reducing its prevalence and the overall impact of infection, helping animals live happier and healthier lives.  

Home based disease detection for cats:

In 2026, feline healthcare is moving from the clinic to the home, transforming how we protect our cats. Because cats often hide illness, the home is where the first subtle red flags like changes in play, grooming, or appetite first appear. 

AI tools can track these patterns, with owners providing veterinarians with the first sign of trouble. This data allows vets to move straight to advanced early-detection tools, such as microRNA testing.

Instead of reacting once a cat is visibly sick, this collaborative model uses home insights to trigger diagnostic testing at a molecular level, catching disease long before physical clinical signs show.

The rise in Gen-Z pet owners:

There is a growing trend of pet ownership among Gen-Z, and with the global pet care market set to grow to $427.75 billion by 2032 (“Pet Care Market Size, Share, Trends | Growth Analysis [2032]”), the market will continue to expand with younger pet owners leading the way. 

This ‘pet first’ lifestyle treats animals as integral family members, rather than just companions. As this digitally literate generation becomes an important force in the market, they are moving away from traditional veterinary models in favor of proactive, technology driven care.

For veterinary diagnostics, this means a demand for transparency, speed, and 24/7 access to health data. This shift is turning the diagnostic process into a collaborative effort where the owner provides real-time data from home, and the veterinarian provides the expert interpretation, creating a healthcare model that is faster and preventative. 

As earlier home signals drive more proactive care, demand will grow for diagnostics that confirm physiologic change before disease is apparent. MI:RNA is positioned to meet that demand head-on.

Veterinary diagnostics for farmers (weather pattern repercussions for farmers):

Changes in weather patterns and climate are expected to have even more of an impact this year, with the knock on effect of potentially increasing the disease challenges that farmers face, which in turn drives the demand for more advanced and rapid animal diagnostic technologies for the sector.

As with our pets, microRNA testing is becoming a vital tool for livestock. Environmental stress linked to climate change can negatively impact livestock long before clinical signs appear.

As with companion animals, early detection can catch disease in farm animals early,  allowing farmers to treat or isolate those affected weeks earlier, preventing a localised infection from becoming a farm-wide crisis.