2026 Pet Care Gap Report

Veterinary telemedicine lets pet owners consult licensed vets via video, chat, or phone — without leaving home. Online vets can diagnose many conditions, prescribe medications, and refer to specialists, often in under 10 minutes.

For the majority of common conditions like skin issues, anxiety, allergies, and ear infections, Dutch's outcome data shows comparable results to in-person care. Emergencies still require an in-person visit.

The U.S. faces a severe veterinary shortage. 129 million Americans live in areas with limited access, and the shortage is projected to worsen through 2030. Telemedicine is the most scalable near-term solution.

Yes. In most U.S. states, licensed vets can prescribe medication via telemedicine after an evaluation. Dutch's member vets can prescribe and ship medications directly to your door, often same-day.

A Dutch membership costs significantly less than a single in-person visit. Pet parents save an average of $24K over their pet's lifetime through earlier, more frequent telemedicine-based care.

A vet desert is a geographic area with limited or no access to local veterinary care. Dutch's 2026 report maps these areas and shows that 129M Americans, nearly 40% of the population, live in one.