CATS CLAIM RECORD SHARE OF VETERINARY VISITS AS FELINE MARKET MOMENTUM BUILDS
Source: CATalyst Council (Extract)
Posted: November 19, 2025
The feline veterinary market is undergoing a major shift. New data from the CATalyst Council shows that cats now make up 23% of all veterinary clinical visits—the highest third-quarter proportion ever recorded.
According to Feline Veterinary Market Insights: Volume IV, overall companion-animal visits have declined year over year since 2022, yet feline visits continue to rise. This marks the third straight year of growth and signals a meaningful reshaping of the veterinary landscape.
The trend is unmistakable. In Q3 2025, feline clinical visits increased 2%, outpacing all-species visit growth for the third year in a row. Combined with kitten adoptions that remain above pre-COVID levels—even as puppy adoptions fall—this signals a long-term shift in companion-animal medicine.
“We’re seeing sustained momentum, not just a moment,” said Kristin Wuhrman, Vice Chair of CATalyst Council. “The continued rise in feline visits tells a clear story: cats are shaping the future of companion-animal medicine. Their needs, behaviours, and subtle health cues demand thoughtful, species-specific care. Practices that lean into understanding cats more deeply will lead this next chapter.”
The strategic potential is enormous. CATalyst Council projects that the U.S. feline veterinary market could expand 2.5 times to $32 billion if feline medicalisation rates matched those of dogs—one of the veterinary industry’s largest untapped growth opportunities.
Four Trends Powering Feline Market Growth
CATalyst Council’s new report highlights several forces behind the continued rise in feline care:
- Growth across the care spectrum
Both wellness and non-wellness feline visits are increasing, reflecting gains in preventive care and medical treatment alike. - Demographic momentum
Kitten adoptions remain above pre-pandemic levels, while puppy adoptions continue to decline—creating long-term tailwinds for the feline sector. - Inflation pressures
Veterinary service inflation continues to outpace the Consumer Price Index, putting pressure on affordability and emphasising the need for more accessible care models. - Technology as a catalyst
Advances in behavioural data, AI-driven home monitoring, and diagnostics are enabling earlier detection and more proactive care, with the potential to accelerate feline medicalisation faster than in other species.
“This data reinforces something we’ve observed for decades in feline medicine: when you remove barriers to care and make visits easier for cats and their people, utilisation goes up,” said Jane Brunt, DVM, Executive Director of CATalyst Council. “As more practices embrace feline-friendly approaches, we’re watching the gap narrow and outcomes improve. This is good news for cats, caregivers, and the profession.”
Why This Market Matters
The findings carry significant implications for the veterinary industry. Drawing from aggregated U.S. practice data, the report shows that cats are increasingly contributing to practice stability at a time when overall visit volumes are softening.
“With feline visits rising while overall visits plateau, the long-term outlook for veterinary growth will increasingly depend on how effectively we serve cats and their families,” said Jon Ayers, Chair of the CATalyst Council Market Insights Committee. “The data is clear, and the opportunity is significant.”
“Feline medicine has reached an inflection point,” added Anne Ward, DVM, Chair of CATalyst Council. “The growing engagement from veterinary professionals, industry partners, and caregivers reflects a shared commitment to elevating care for cats. This report highlights both the progress we’ve made and the work still ahead.”