New data from Pet Sitters International’s 2026 State of the Industry Survey reveals that the average annual revenue for professional pet sitters continues to rise, and a majority of pet sitters expect revenues to continue to grow. According to the survey, the average gross revenue for U.S. pet sitters in 2025 was $112,423, a 12 percent increase from $100,537 in 2023. The … [Read more...]
91 percent of pet owners would go into debt to save a pet’s life, yet nearly half have delayed care due to cost, per new report
Pet owners would do almost anything to protect their pets, yet many continue to face difficult decisions when it comes to seeking care, according to the 2026 Lovet Checkup Report from Lovet Pet Health Care. The research results showed a majority of pet owners nationwide would be willing to take on debt to save their pet's life. At the same time, nearly half said rising … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council’s second edition of “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze” Report confirms its veterinary visit forecast with updated Q2 2026 data
Cats have outpaced dogs in clinical visit growth every quarter since Q1 2023 and the CATalyst Council’s new report confirms the previous assertions, incorporating a full fiscal year of clinic visit data. The CATalyst Council’s second edition of “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze” report was released July 15th. It confirms the bust is fewer puppy acquisitions each year, not just fewer … [Read more...]
Study: Cats readily accept, digest cultivated hamster cell-derived meat diet.
A published scientific study conducted in collaboration between BeneMeat and Ghent University evaluated the acceptance and digestibility of a complete feline diet containing cultivated meat as a novel pet food ingredient. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 28, 2026. Link. The feeding trial demonstrated strong acceptance of the cultivated meat diet in domestic cats and found … [Read more...]
If you think your cat is being nice, think again
You may get warm fuzzies when you see one cat grooming another, but don’t be fooled. It could be an act of aggression. Researchers at Ghent University recently published findings in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science showing the behavior could sometimes be classified as bullying or tormenting. Source: The New York Times, July 10, 2026. Link. The researchers suggest … [Read more...]
Tick-borne parasite killing cats in Kansas City metro, veterinarians warn
Veterinarians in the Kansas City metro are urging cat owners to act quickly as cases of a deadly tick-borne disease known as bobcat fever (cytauxzoonosis) appear to be on the rise. Source: KCTV5, July 14, 2026. Link. Bobcat fever is caused by the parasite Cytauxzoon felis, which is spread through the bite of an infected tick, veterinarians say. Bobcats are the parasite’s … [Read more...]
Handling the unruly patient
Commentary David Burger’s article reviews an apparent increase in fractious pets that increase injury risks for veterinary teams and pet owners alike. While “do more training” is advocated, it is clear that beyond veterinary teams adjusting their approach with problem pets, getting modern pet owners to establish basic behavior boundaries is difficult. Similarly, groomers … [Read more...]
Study: Outdoor access may help improve welfare in multi-cat homes
Zazie Todd, PhD, summarizes key points from a new correlational study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science <Link>. It reveals insightful welfare dynamics in multi-cat households with and without outside access. Many cats would prefer to be the only cat in the home. Having more than one cat is linked to poorer welfare*. In a study, when cats had outdoor access, … [Read more...]
10 Q&As about pet food for aging dogs and cats
Good read Despite the expanding population of senior pets, scientists observed that nutritional recommendations remain largely based on research conducted in younger animals. In a literature review published in the journal Animals, they examined what scientists know about nutrition for aging dogs and cats, identify the biggest gaps in current knowledge and outline the … [Read more...]
New data: Pet owners seeking help sooner; telehealth becoming the first step
Complimentary whiskerDoc’s analysis of 2026 pet health interactions suggests that telehealth is increasingly becoming the first step in a pet parent's care journey. The data reinforces the power of early intervention: timely access to professional advice helps owners make more informed decisions, potentially reduce unnecessary treatment and incur lower pet health care … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 29, 2026
Registration is still open for the 6-part webinar series, Pet Industry Leaderboard: Benchmarks and Actionable Business Strategies. Free for members. <Register here> Source: IBPSA, June 29, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 25th. Link. Killing innovation, when to disengage, stopping interruptions, the growing pet wellness market, and more! … [Read more...]
A new framework for assessing dog bite risk
A new approach, beyond the “point-in-time” method, may provide veterinary professionals, behaviorists and caregivers with objective tools they can use to understand, assess and potentially manage a dog’s bite risk. Colette Kase shares these key factors: The importance of improving bite assessments The potential of a structured professional judgment approach used in … [Read more...]
Pet vaccine compliance important to groomers
Groomers aren’t just haircutters. We care for dogs. We are paid to be professional with the pets we care for, which makes vaccination compliance an important detail of any grooming business, asserts Jennifer Bishop Jenkins. She references legal and insurance considerations, specifically noting zoonotic risks from rabies and leptospirosis. Source: Groomer to Groomer, July … [Read more...]
Experts offer perspectives for veterinary practices from CATalyst Council report
The Fountain Report asked three experts to weigh in on implications for veterinary practices from the recent CATalyst Council white paper, “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and the Expectations Reset <Link>. The report addresses the veterinary industry’s fifth consecutive year of declining visits and why that trend is likely to continue through the next decade. Here are the … [Read more...]
How to keep cats calm during fireworks
Fireworks can cause cats to become stressed and anxious. They can also cause them to run away and become lost. Alice Sewell shares tips to share with cat owners in these articles. Note the microchip reminders. Sources: Modern Cat, June 24, 2026. Link. NPR, June 28, 2026. Link. Dogs and cats can hear and feel the fireworks four times further than a human … [Read more...]
Easy-to-add physical rehabilitation tools for veterinary clinics
Beyond underwater treadmills, there are affordable and feasible options available to veterinary practices to use when providing canine and feline physical rehabilitation. Robin Downing, DVM, MS, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP, shares examples of physical rehabilitation equipment that are fundamental and easy to incorporate into any practice that serves patients with osteoarthritis … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 22, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites find member webinars, future market predictions, a different way to provide health insurance, getting ready for the upcoming holidays and more . . . Source: IBPSA, June 22, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 18th. Link. Seasonal drift, ineffective accountability, "rust out", keeping dogs calm, and more! … [Read more...]
Pet wellness market tops $5 billion, growing faster than predicted
The U.S. pet wellness market is larger and growing faster than many industry estimates suggest. According to Lauren DeVestern, long-term demand, channel success, high customer retention and clear brand differentiation support the pet wellness category's value. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 18, 2026. Link. Pet wellness products remain heavily online, but expanding into … [Read more...]
Study of turmeric extract tolerance in cats
Turmeric extract has been widely studied in humans and increasingly in dogs but data on its safety in cats remains limited. The study reviewed in this article provides reassuring evidence that turmeric extract, at dietary levels up to 1040 ppm curcuminoids, can be safely fed to cats for four months. For veterinarians, this opens the door to considering TE as a functional … [Read more...]
It may be time to consider leptospirosis in cats
In this 2023 literature review, George E. Moore, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVPM, opines cats may have an underrecognized role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. His review’s tenets continue to be supported in more recent pieces despite cats rarely showing clinical signs. Notable takeaways include: Cats, particularly free-roaming or stray cats, may have serologic evidence of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 25, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 18, 2026. Link. Most read posts from June 18, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, resetting industry expectations. Link. ‘Rust-out’ is the new burnout. It requires a different fix. Link. 7 stories to help your customers come home at night. Link. Why the future of veterinary … [Read more...]
Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and an industry expectations reset
A new CATalyst Council white paper, “Puppocalypse, Kitten Craze, and the Expectations Reset,” uses the age demographics of dogs and cats that visit full-service practices to forecast combined U.S. clinical visit growth of -2 percent to 0 percent through 2030. Those numbers are well below the 2 percent to 3 percent the industry expects. The report’s central, empirically … [Read more...]
Plants that may help repel ticks naturally
We need all the help we can get to reduce exposure to ticks in yards, green spaces, wood lots and acreages. Gemma Johnstone shares 15 plants to consider growing that can help keep ticks at bay. Consider sharing this article on social media, in newsletters and with local flower and vegetable garden groups to let pet owners know what plants help keep ticks away. Source: The … [Read more...]
e-Book: A Clinician’s Guide to Dermatology
A new e-book, A Clinician’s Guide to Dermatology, compiles five how-tos on skin biopsies, fungal cultures, trichograms, skin scraping and otoscopy to help clinicians do common procedures in-house. The book contains a curated collection of articles on dermatology diagnostic topics ranging from various skin scraping techniques to case and site selection for skin biopsies to an … [Read more...]
Massage and myofascial therapy for cats
Cats require just as much effort from their owners as dogs do to ensure they get adequate enrichment in their lives <Link>. Massage and myofascial therapy are two hands-on techniques that are gaining attention in the world of integrative veterinary care. Myofascial therapy uses slow, gentle pressure to release those restrictions in the fascia and help restore normal … [Read more...]
Beyond obedience
Grahmn Garrison’s article argues that behavior is not an “obedience issue” but a core component of veterinary health, influencing diagnosis, treatment access, welfare, family dynamics and longevity. In it, experts encourage focusing on behavior changes in an individual pet’s normal patterns versus behavior problems. Garrison paints a broader behavior landscape, … [Read more...]
Hot messaging helps keep livestock and pets cool
AHD’s editor Rick Purnell continues his “Seen, Heard, Trusted” series here focusing on keeping animals cool as the summer heats up. The article shares the temperatures when heat begins causing issues for cows, pigs, horses, goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens. Purnell advocates routine heat stress reminders because heat-related problems can begin at temperatures as low as … [Read more...]
The missing piece in most pet physical exams
Complimentary Conversations about nutrition can be awkward, challenging and even confrontational. Considered the fifth vital assessment, nutrition discussions can become moments of connection and compliance with clear, confident communication. The AAHA Nutrition Guidelines Certificate Course is designed to help you translate the medicine and science you know into the best … [Read more...]
CATalyst Council shares Feline Findings
Research by the CATalyst Council leads our industry to better understand the feline veterinary business and opportunities as cat visits now account for nearly one-fourth of veterinary traffic. This is why we’re partnering with the CATalyst Council to share actionable opportunities in "Feline Findings." These insights from CATalyst State of the Cat research results have garnered … [Read more...]
Triaging feline house soiling using telemedicine
Sharing how triaging house soiling works, Marianne Manning, RVT, LVT, KPA CTP, VTS, asserts the preliminary need for physical examinations and diagnostics. If no medical issues are found, then troubleshooting the home environment with questions, followed by telemedicine, can help cat owners deal with house soiling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, March 11, 2026. … [Read more...]