The 2025 World of the Cat Report, issued by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, has found a rising number of veterinary practices offering feline-specific care.
At the end of 2023, some 880 cat-friendly practices sanctioned by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association were operating, and 355 were in progress across North and South America. In addition, 1,270 cat-friendly clinics recognized by the International Society of Feline Medicine were open in Europe, Asia and Australia.
According to the report, cat-friendly practices enjoy higher revenue per visit, more visits by each cat annually, increased client satisfaction and more diagnoses of common cat conditions.
The report also provided information about feline demographics, improvements in veterinary education and care, and pet food.
Recent feline demographics include:
- About 220 million to 373 million cats are kept as pets worldwide.
- The United States has an estimated 74 million domesticated cats.
- Russia has the highest percentage of cat ownership, at 59%.
- The United States has about 30 million to 40 million stray, feral or uncared-for cats.
- U.S. shelters take in about 3.2 million cats every year.
- The International Cat Association recognizes 73 cat breeds. The most popular worldwide are the ragdoll, Maine coon and Devon rex.
- The most expensive breed is the Ashera, costing up to $125,000.
Key takeaways regarding improvements in veterinary education and care include:
- Since 2020, 13 new feline veterinary guidelines have been published.
- Since 2019, 12 new feline-specific textbooks have been released.
- New feline-specific medications include pregabalin to treat feline anxiety and fear, two diabetes agents (bexagliflozin and velagliflozin), and GS-441524 to treat feline coronavirus strains that cause feline infectious peritonitis.
Findings regarding pet food include:
- 90% to 96% of cat owners in Western Europe, Japan and the United States feed dry kibble.
- 1 in 3 cat owners switched pet food brands over a six-month period. The top reasons included the cost, perceived value and available promotions.
- At least half of veterinarians said owners with cats on therapeutic diets switched to non-therapeutic food due to financial pressure, stopped therapeutic pet food altogether or refused a prescribed therapeutic diet.
The complete report is available at bit.ly/3DyQAZ7.