In this edition of Feline Findings, Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman share information from Volume II of the CATalyst Council 2025 Feline Market Insights Report. It clearly shows the commitment cat owners have to their cat(s). Veterinary teams can boost the owner-cat relationship by educating clients about subtle shifts they may observe in their cats’ behaviors. Tracking … [Read more...]
November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month
If you or your clients are considering adopting a new pet, but want one that is calm and likely trained in the basics, a senior pet may fit the bill. Plus, they tend to be less work than youngsters and can provide companionship and fun for years. If adoption isn’t possible, consider volunteering at a shelter, making a donation or taking a senior pet for a day. Sources: … [Read more...]
The matted cat; causes, cures, prevention
Cats’ tongues are designed to move sebum from their skin through the hair, maintaining hair integrity, loosening dirt and providing cooling, writes Cliff Faver, DVM. Despite their assiduous self-maintenance routines, cats get matted when sebum doesn’t move through their hair. Faver explains conditions that predispose cats to matting and advises groomers about degreasing cat … [Read more...]
Convenience, connection matter just as much as price
In this article, My Vet Candy reviews survey results from a paper titled, “U.S. Residents' Self-Reported Access to Veterinary Care and Implications for Care-Seeking Decisions.” The survey of more than 1,100 adults asked what “access to veterinary care” meant. In summary, the results show most people value and respect veterinary professionals, but they often feel shut out and … [Read more...]
Black cat bias
Black cats face lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates at shelters, according to research conducted by Robert Carini, PhD. He says it’s clear that ideas rooted in stereotypes around black cats are strong and enduring. Source: AAHA Trends, June 13, 2025. Link. The study found that “white cats had the most favorable euthanasia and adoption outcomes while brown and … [Read more...]
Energy medicine for dogs and cats
As alternative ways of supporting animals become more mainstream, a variety of modalities are represented. Barrie Sands, DVM, CVA, HMCT, EMP, reviews therapies that may address physical, emotional and energetic imbalances in the body. Many of the energy modalities include hands-on healing, movement and breathwork that pet owners can learn to do at home. Fans of Cesar Millan … [Read more...]
Reminder: For indoor cats, well-being requires more than physical safety
"Indoor-only cats are often assumed to be the safest, but it is more challenging to meet their needs, impacting their physical and emotional health and resulting in more caregiver concerns about behavior," said Dr. Ilona Rodan, chair of the FelineVMA’s Feline Welfare Committee. The FelineVMA asserts five pillars to support a healthy feline environment that can reduce … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 23, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door. Link. AAHA resources complement vet tech support, development. Link. Free book; guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions. Link. What do they value? … [Read more...]
Free book offers guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions
Complimentary Content There is no question that animal health pros in all settings are challenged when a pet owner struggles with an aggressive dog or a serious behavior issue that impacts human and animal safety or quality of life. When deciding to euthanize a dangerous animal, pet owners turn to veterinary professionals. It can be hard to find resources or the right words … [Read more...]
CDC warns of rabies risks from feral cat colonies
A recent rabies outbreak in an urban, unmanaged cat colony in Maryland potentially exposed more than 300 persons to rabies. The incident is a stark reminder of the need to manage rabies risks in feral colonies. It should also be a reminder of risks in free-range barnyard cats as well. More than 90 percent of animal rabies cases occur among wild animals, such as raccoons, … [Read more...]
What it takes to be America’s top house cat
Jason Bittel and photographer Dina Litovsky share a behind-the-scenes look from 2025 Cat Fancier's Association International Cat Show and Expo, which took place October 11th and 12th in Cleveland, Ohio. Organized by the Cat Fancier's Association, the show drew nearly 10,000 people and 550 cats. Source: National Geographic, October 20, 2025. Link. The CFA allows owners to … [Read more...]
How to read pet food labels
AAFCO’s Pet Food Label Modernization project is underway, explains Jean Hofve, DVM, but in the meantime, pet food labels and language remain confusing. She shares how to interpret product names, nutrition facts and what to expect from upcoming label changes. Source: Animal Wellness, October 17, 2025. Link. Also see: Search Results for: pet food labels, AHD Archives. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 23, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 16, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 16, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Make the call and Just ASK. Link. Bad advice. Link. Cats can get dementia, too. Link. What’s covered and what’s not in veterinary clinic cyber insurance. Link. Pork, ultimate muscle-building protein/National Pork … [Read more...]
Beware the newer pet supplements
Sharing the potential fatal effects of pet supplements during the recent AAHA Convention, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, indicated the Pet Poison Helpline has experienced more calls about toxic effects from the supplements now being marketed. She also shared details about what to look for in pets that ingest these supplements. Source: AVMA, October 8, 2025. Link. It's … [Read more...]
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests can be problematic, require education
Faced with a genetic test report from a direct-to-consumer company, veterinary teams may be challenged to interpret or use the report to a client’s or pet’s benefit. Genetic testing has gone direct-to-consumer, so veterinarians must understand the types of genetic tests available, as well as how to use and interpret them properly, said Jerrod Bell, DVM, in a related article … [Read more...]
Cats can get dementia, too
Commentary As animal health pros address the needs of aging pets, feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome becomes a consideration for cat owners and their veterinarians. The sources shared here address cat dementia and are worth veterinary teams’ reviews in support of cat owners as their cats age. Share both on social media or in newsletters. Feline dementia is a condition … [Read more...]
RECOVER Initiative releases first-of-its-kind newborn resuscitation guidelines
The RECOVER Initiative recently released its ‘Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines for Puppies and Kittens.’ This first-of-its-kind resource for veterinary professionals addresses ways to help puppies and kittens survive during the critical post-birth period. In the guidelines, veterinary professionals can find everything from appropriate warming and drying techniques, positive … [Read more...]
4 consumer packaged goods giants dominate pet food market share across price points
The pet food segment is noisy as the continued evolution of pet owner preferences toward premium, science-backed and fresh offerings creates opportunities for emerging brands. Still, Nestlé, Mars, General Mills and Colgate-Palmolive dominate the pet food industry, having captured significant market share in nearly every category of pet food. These CPG companies outperform … [Read more...]
Ways to help cats and their caregivers prepare for veterinary visits
We continue our collaboration with Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman to share actionable insights from Catalyst Council research to support growth in the feline care segment. Thank you for reading the first edition posted September 23rd <Link>. Feline care is a current industry growth segment. However, barriers, especially stress and uncertainty, still suppress … [Read more...]
Foxtail woes. Be warned.
From mouth sores to infections, foxtails aren’t just annoying; they are painful for horses and pets. But the potential secondary problems are even worse. If a foxtail enters the skin, respiratory tract or urinary tract of a dog or cat, it can result in infection, inflammation or worse. Once inside, foxtails can migrate to different areas of an animal’s body. Note the … [Read more...]
Best practices for safe, efficient body temperature in cats, dogs during veterinary procedures
Sharing current recommendations about warming and cooling in dogs and cats during anesthesia and surgery, Walter L. Brown, RVTg VTS (ECC), provides a review of updated methods from new research and techniques. He shares how to implement them correctly. Source: AAHA Trends, October 6, 2025. Link. Even with techniques and devices considered to be safe and efficient, frequent … [Read more...]
The best dog exercises for canine conditioning
Exercise is an important component to weight and obesity management. But rarely do we hear that exercising a dog is more than a walk around the block. Debby McMullen, CDBC, shares ways to physically condition dogs in this article. She advocates activities that cover cardio, stretching, balancing and strengthening to benefit a dog’s conditioning and stimulate them … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health: more than 7 million rabies vaccines donated through Afya program
Complimentary Content Merck Animal Health remains committed to helping eliminate the deadly threat of rabies through its global non-profit initiative, the Afya Program, by donating NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines to support canine vaccination efforts in areas where rabies is endemic. More than seven million NOBIVAC® rabies vaccines have been donated. Combating rabies and … [Read more...]
Case suggests Tamiflu MAY help cats infected with H5N1
The H5N1 virus has killed innumerable pet and barn cats. A new published study indicates death may be avoided if infected cats are treated with antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Jake Gomez, a veterinarian in Tulare, California, who successfully treated cats last fall, worked with other researchers to author the case published in ‘One Health.’ Source: Los … [Read more...]
What value do pet owners place on sustainable pet food?
Sharing data from recent research, Debbie Phillips-Donalds concludes that sustainability features have an impact on pet food purchasing, but which features and to what degree they affect purchasing matter a lot. She notes the challenges with defining sustainability and animal welfare in the context of product education and marketing. Source: PETFOOD Industry, September 17, … [Read more...]
Weight bias among veterinary professionals
Sharing research on weight bias, this article from Zoe Belshaw, Vet MB, MA, PhD, addresses the potential of relating an owner’s weight to their pets. The need to have proactive discussions with pet owners is often difficult and addressing potential bias is worth consideration. Belshaw shares tips for talking with clients about weight management just in time for World Pet … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 23, 2025
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for a Pet Care Business Excellence Award at this year’s Forum for your dedication to excellence and helping our industry continue to raise the bar for pet care. Winners of the 2025 Pet Care Business Excellence Awards! Category Winner Independent Provider Noosa Country … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Strengthen the Feline Client Experience
We’re pleased to welcome the CATalyst Council™ as a sponsor of Animal Health Digest and to regularly share findings from the Catalyst Council Feline Market Insight Reports. Gina Fortunato and Kristin Wuhrman are working with us to pull actionable insights in support of growing the feline care segment of veterinary services. We’ll share them in Feline Findings at the link … [Read more...]
Nassau County warns residents about spread of rabies among raccoons and cats
Rabies has been found in at least 25 animals since July of last year in mostly raccoons and three feral cats, according to Nassau County New York officials. Rabies had previously been eradicated in Nassau County in 2016 following aggressive control efforts. The resurgence is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination, public education and wildlife baiting to manage … [Read more...]
Talking to clients about cats and major life changes
A major change, such as moving, the addition of a new animal or baby to the household, could induce significant distress even in the most adaptable cats, writes Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB. She discusses elements of preparing a cat for change proactively in this article. Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 2025. Link. Feline patients could be better served if clients were … [Read more...]