CATalyst Council Releases Feline Market Insights Volume III: Continued Market Outperformance by Cats

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The CATalyst Council, the veterinary industry’s leading authority on the feline market, releases the third volume of the 2025 Feline Market Insights Report, the latest in a quarterly series. In Q2 2025, while overall US clinical visits continue to fall several percent year over year, feline clinical visits continued their growth. The report updates mid-year trends, explains the economic context shaping overall veterinary visit growth, and outlines how AI innovation, Cat Friendly Practice^® feline-friendly handling, clear communication, and preventive care can help close the feline care gap.

“Feline [healthcare] is not a niche, it is a growth engine. As AI transforms veterinary medicine, felines will benefit disproportionately.” -Jon Ayers, CATalyst Council board member and Chair of the Feline Market Insights Committee

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“Even as overall visits remain tepid, cat visits continued to climb,” said Jane Brunt, DVM, Executive Director of CATalyst Council. “Veterinary teams elevate feline care when they design around the cat, support the caregiver relationship, and put feline AI tools to work.”

Volume III sets the signal in today’s economy and demographics, where veterinary services inflation remains elevated, and household pet ownership is shifting to cats.

“Feline is not a niche, it is a growth engine,” said Jon Ayers, CATalyst Council board member and Chair of the Market Insights Committee. “As AI transforms veterinary medicine, felines will benefit disproportionately. Client communications and veterinary confidence in feline medicine will see significant advancements. New apps give people greater awareness of their cat’s health in their home environment. The result will be that more cats will get earlier, better care, and the market will expand accordingly.”

By the numbers:

• Feline clinical visits grew in the first half of 2025 while overall visits declined, creating a positive differential for cats.
• Veterinary services inflation remained elevated year to date, continuing to outpace overall CPI by close to 4%, pressuring demand, particularly for cats. The high cost of veterinary care remains a frequent complaint of pet owners.
• Early Q3 signals from multiple sources suggest potential stabilization, but with more time needed to confirm trend direction.
• Species mix dynamics continue to favor cats, aligning with home ownership challenges by younger generations, and lifestyle shifts that impact pet ownership.
• AI-enabled communications, at-home assessments, and workflow support are positioned to reduce stress related barriers and improve clinical confidence.

Volume III translates that momentum into practical steps teams can use now: Feline friendly handling, use of FelineVMA’s Cat Friendly Practice^® tools, clear communication, and preventive care that lowers stress for cats and caregivers. “Education and practices attuned to the cat matter,” said Anne Ward, DVM, Chair of CATalyst Council. “Reducing stress in the visit, improving communication, and building feline medical expertise are how we translate market momentum into better outcomes.”

Beyond the trends, the analysis highlights how observations made at home enhance care in the exam room. Volume III also details where AI can reduce barriers to care for cats and their caregivers. “Behavior is data,” said Kristin Wuhrman, Vice Chair of CATalyst Council. “When we pair subtle daily changes at home with clinical insight and AI support, we close the gap between what cats show us and what they need.”

Volume III notes that it is too early to tell if the upward trend in veterinary visits observed so far in Q3 will be sustained. It outlines which overall metrics in the economy to watch in the second half of the year that will help predict the turn in overall clinical visit growth.

Looking into the future, the final Feline Market Insights volume in Q4 2025 will incorporate early findings from CATalyst Council’s landmark, census-balanced study of 40,000 U.S. households, conducted with Forward Group and Kynetec.

To receive updates or inquire about the benefits of sponsorship, please visit catalystcouncil.org and follow Catalyst Council on LinkedIn.

About CATalyst Council

CATalyst Council is a national 501(c)(3) dedicated to advancing feline health and elevating the human-feline bond. The organization convenes veterinary leaders, industry partners, and researchers to deliver evidence-based resources, encourage community collaboration, and ensure all companion cats receive lifelong care.