Cat parents are fueling a bigger shift in the pet market

Cats are gaining share in the U.S. pet economy, and the latest industry data suggests that momentum is increasingly being driven by more engaged, higher-spending cat parents rather than simple population growth alone. Pet Age’s “Ferociously Feline” trend piece lands against a backdrop of newer APPA data showing 49 million U.S. households owned a cat in 2024, up from 40 million in 2023, alongside growth in multi-cat households, training, harness use, premium food purchases, and supplement use. APPA framed 2024 as “the year of the cat,” pointing to a deeper human-animal bond and more proactive wellness behavior among cat parents. (americanpetproducts.org)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the commercial upside is clear, but so is the care gap. CATalyst Council estimates the U.S. feline veterinary market reached about $11.7 billion in 2024 and has been growing roughly 9% annually, yet only about 30% of household-owned cats received a veterinary visit in 2024, versus roughly 65% to 70% of dogs. That means feline enthusiasm at retail isn’t automatically translating into clinic traffic, even as cat parents spend more on premium nutrition, supplements, and wellness-oriented products. (businesswire.com)

What to watch: Expect more pressure on practices and industry suppliers to convert rising cat-parent engagement into lower-stress visits, preventive care adherence, and feline-specific service models. (dvm360.com)