For years, regulations have tethered vets to in-person exams before prescribing, limiting the reach of virtual care. Now, the telehealth landscape is shifting—creating new opportunities for practices, manufacturers, and investors.
Arizona, California, Idaho, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Vermont—currently allow vets to establish a VCPR (Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship) via telemedicine. In 2024, Colorado advanced a ballot initiative, but it failed to qualify.
Additionally, Chewy, Mars Veterinary Health, and Amazon are actively lobbying for expanded telehealth, investing heavily in policy advocacy and digital infrastructure. Their message is simple: telehealth can expand access to care, reduce friction for pet owners, and strengthen client loyalty.
Key factors driving today’s telehealth push go beyond the obvious convenience and expanded reach to rural areas. Practices integrating virtual care report higher commitment to chronic disease monitoring, stronger engagement in preventive care, and improved compliance—particularly when pairing prescriptions with home delivery.
State regulatory differences and prescribing restrictions continue to pose short-term challenges, while many veterinarians are concerned about clinical standards and liability when practicing virtually. Pricing models are also evolving, raising questions about pet owner’s willingness to pay.
With telehealth shifting from a niche offering to an essential part of pet care, practices that embrace it —integrating it into practice workflows, client communication and product strategy—will be poised to capture growth and strengthen their role at the center of pet care.
The writing on the wall should be clear…telehealth is here to stay and it’s a game-changer.
Richard Hayworth
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