Medical Disclaimer

Last updated: October 2026

⚠️ Please Read First

PetWellness AI does not diagnose, treat or prescribe, and it is not a substitute for a veterinarian.

Our symptom checker and articles provide general, educational information to help you understand what might be going on and what to ask your vet. Only a veterinarian who examines your pet can diagnose a condition or recommend treatment.

If your pet may be having an emergency, contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency clinic now. Do not wait for an online answer.

1. Educational Information Only

All content on PetWellness AI, including the symptom checker results, articles, social media posts and emails, is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment.

PetWellness AI is not a veterinary practice. We are not veterinarians and do not hold formal veterinary qualifications. You can read more about who we are in Our Story.

2. How the AI Symptom Checker Works

The symptom checker uses an artificial intelligence (AI) language model to generate a response to the symptoms you describe. Please understand that:

Responses are generated automatically by AI and are not reviewed by a person or a veterinarian before you see them.
The AI draws on general knowledge from its training. It does not search, read or verify specific websites or sources when answering your question.
AI can make mistakes, leave things out, or describe something inaccurately. Results list possible causes only, not a diagnosis.
The AI cannot examine your pet, see test results, or know your pet's full history.
The "Further Reading" links shown with results are suggested resources for learning more. They are not the sources of the AI's answer, and we are not affiliated with them.

3. How Our Articles Are Researched

Our articles are researched against published veterinary studies and guidelines, and we link to those sources so you can read them yourself. We also review leading holistic and natural pet health resources. AI tools help us research and draft, and each article is checked and edited before publishing.

Even so, research changes and errors can happen. Articles reflect general information at the time of writing and may not apply to your pet.

4. Always Consult Your Veterinarian

Talk to a licensed veterinarian before:

Starting any supplement, herb or natural remedy
Changing your pet's diet, especially if they have a health condition
Stopping or changing any prescribed medication
Acting on any information from this website about a specific health concern

We do not provide doses for supplements or herbs. The right dose depends on your pet's species, weight, age, health and current medications, and must come from your veterinarian or the product's label for that species.

5. Dogs and Cats Are Different

Many herbs, essential oils, supplements, foods and human medications that are safe for people or dogs can be toxic to cats, and some are toxic to dogs too. Never give your pet anything made for people or for a different species without your veterinarian's approval.

6. When to Seek Veterinary Care Immediately

Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away if your pet:

Has difficulty breathing, or a cat is breathing with its mouth open
Collapses, cannot stand, or has a seizure
Has pale, white, blue or gray gums
May have eaten or touched something toxic
Is straining to urinate with little or no urine, especially a male cat
Has a swollen, hard belly with unproductive retching (dogs)
Is vomiting repeatedly, vomiting blood, or bleeding heavily
Has not eaten for more than 24 hours (cats), or seems in severe pain

For suspected poisoning in the US, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).

7. Natural Remedies Complement, Not Replace, Veterinary Care

Natural and holistic approaches work best alongside professional veterinary care, not instead of it. Natural does not always mean safe. Herbs and supplements can cause side effects, allergic reactions and interactions with medications.

Introduce any new food or supplement gradually, tell your veterinarian about everything your pet is taking, and stop use and contact your vet if you notice a reaction such as itching, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea or difficulty breathing.

8. Products, Shop and Affiliate Links

PetWellness AI is free to use. To support it, we may link to products in our pet health shop, and some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. Our content is based on research, not commissions. A product being mentioned is not a recommendation that it is right for your pet. Check with your veterinarian first.

9. Limitation of Liability

You are responsible for decisions about your pet's health and care. To the fullest extent permitted by law, PetWellness AI and its operators are not liable for any loss, injury or harm, including to your pet, arising from the use of, or reliance on, information on this website or generated by our tools, or from any delay in seeking veterinary care.

Nothing in this disclaimer excludes, restricts or modifies any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law or any other consumer protection law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

10. Changes to This Disclaimer

We may update this disclaimer from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last changed. Continuing to use the website means you accept the current version.