Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA, HAB, explains how breed-related genetic traits shape feline behavior, even when physical limitations affect a cat’s ability to act on instincts. The video is good educational content that can be shared by veterinary teams for cat parents. Boarding teams will find it interesting, too. Source: DVM360, March 20, 2026. Link. Comparing behaviors of … [Read more...]
The Farmer’s Dog to be in Walmart
Walmart is partnering with The Farmer's Dog to offer human-grade dog meals across its nationwide retail network. The products are set to be available for the first time in Walmart stores and online in April. The move puts Walmart directly into the premium pet food conversation. Source: Yahoo, March 24, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Chronic conditions dominate Nationwide’s most common pet health problems
More than one million Nationwide-insured dogs and cats generated 3.3 million pet insurance claims in 2025, revealing that pets’ health is shaped by ongoing, chronic conditions. Canine trends: Allergies top the list again and chronic issues dominate the top 10 Feline trends: Digestive issues lead again with chronic conditions climbing Source: Nationwide, March 5, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 26, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – All work and no play? Link. Active listening: 6 strategies so others feel seen, heard, understood. Link. Understanding your window of tolerance. Link. ========================== Study: Humans preferred for empathy, but AI … [Read more...]
Fresh and raw pet food: who’s winning online visibility in the U.S.?
Interesting read for marketers An analysis by Bubblegum Search examined 20 U.S. retailers and manufacturers operating in the fresh and raw dog food segment, revealing trends in branded and generic search. Increasing scrutiny of pet food leads pet owners to search engines to find better options, making it a key way for brands to be discovered and stand out from … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 16, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Webinar: Marketing Strategies for Pet Care Businesses: Wednesday, April 1st, 1:00 p.m. CST <Link> Participation wanted: Pet Care Services Industry Financial Survey. <Link>. Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 12th. Link. The Global Pets Industry Trend Report, Client Communication Boundaries, Dog Grooming as Pet Wellness, and … [Read more...]
Pet daycare and lodging market analysis 2026
The market for pet daycare and lodging has an active and diverse competitive environment. Industry leaders differentiate themselves by offering various amenities, including grooming, training and specialized care services. This landscape is dynamic, characterized by innovation, convenience and a growing focus on pet well-being and safety. Source: Cognitive Market Research, … [Read more...]
NASC quality seal now available for treat products + Clean Label Project*
NASC officially launched its Treat Program, extending the organization’s compliance requirements and coveted Quality Seal to treat products for dogs, cats and horses. The program addresses a long-standing source of regulatory confusion in one of the pet industry’s fastest-growing and most valuable segments. Source: Pets+. Link. The NASC Quality Seal on a treat product … [Read more...]
Review: AAHA’s Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines
March 13th recognizes National K9 Veterans Day and the dedicated K9 units who have served since World War II. In recognition of these canine heroes, AAHA created a quick starter guide to fielding calls from working dog handlers, straight out of the Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dogs Guidelines Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, March 13, 2026. Link. PDF of quick starter guide … [Read more...]
Marigold delivers 17 Irish Doodle puppies in a single day
Large litters are common if you’re raising pigs, but Marigold’s 17 Irish Setter/Poodle puppies were quite a surprise. Possibly a record for the particular crossbreed, the largest litter on record still belongs to Tia, a Neopolitan Mastiff that delivered 24 puppies. All of Marigold’s puppies survived. Source: Dogster, March 12, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Why falling cats always seem to land on their feet
A study published in the journal The Anatomical Record <Link>suggests new insights into the so-called falling cat problem, particularly that cats have a very flexible segment of their spines that allows them to correct their orientation midair. The researchers found that the feline spine was extremely flexible in the upper thoracic vertebrae, but stiffer and heavier in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 19, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 12, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 12, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Imposter syndrome (video). Link. Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals. Link. 2026: What’s next in the pet business? Link. Livestock care during wildfire season. Link. Webinar TODAY!: The Untapped Feline Patient: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 9, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Opt in for the Pet Care Services Industry Financial Survey. Link. IBPSA's official work days Legislative news from New Hampshire and New York Source: IBPSA, March 9, 2026. Link. From the blog: Grooming services: Achieve the best people and profit potential without the headaches, October 15, 2025. Link. Also see: Animal Health … [Read more...]
2026: What’s next in the pet business?
The Global Pets 2026 Industry Trend Report <Link> shares the 7 trends poised to influence the pet businesses this year. The onward march of AI A business model for every pet owner Retail: comfort and convenience Building loyalty Macroeconomics and geopolitics Inflation, tariffs and supply chains Gut health and functional nutrition Source: Pets … [Read more...]
Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals
Commentary Don’t let the cowboy hat and big beard fool you. Ashley Nicholls is an Australian turned Canadian and 2026 Nuffield Scholar <Link>. He says the ways we’ve learned to work with animals may be the missing framework for team cohesion and communication. The concept of low-stress people handling Nicholls promotes is based on the work of Temple Grandin, a renowned … [Read more...]
$1,000 dog grooms are here as part of pet wellness
Dog owners interviewed for this article believe pet grooming is essential to pet health. Some groomers are turning away clients who don’t maintain their pets’ grooming. Some owners are performing maintenance grooms between professional grooms to save money. Source: The New York Times, March 9, 2026. Link. Businesses and investors are paying attention, and the pet … [Read more...]
Webinar: The Untapped Feline Patient: Turning Insight into Action
Sponsor Content The next Veterinary Practice Health webinar on Thursday, March 19th, will feature results from the CATalyst Council 2026 State of the Cat report. It uncovers what holds cat owners back from seeking care, and where real opportunities exist. It promises to be timely, practical and full of insights practices can put to work right away. Presenters Jane Brunt, … [Read more...]
Why cats go wild when you say, “Pspspsps”
You’ll likely try this sound. A high-pitched “pspsps” sound mimics that of prey rustling in dried leaves or a cricket chirping, says Ingrid Johnson. It is attractive to cats. Experts explain the magic behind this universal cat-attractant sound, plus other sounds cats like and dislike, in this article. Source: Modern Cat, February 4, 2026. Link. Cats can hear over a range of … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with a cat
Commercial Content Traveling with a cat requires preparation, writes Jennifer Grota, DVM. She offers practical tips clinics can share with cat owners on social media or in newsletters. Clinics can add their own recommendations along with the article. Source: PetMD, February 24, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Cat age in human years
Determining a cat’s age in human years isn’t as simple as multiplying their age times seven. The big surprise is that cats reach the equivalent of 15 human years in their first year of life and 24 human years by their second. The chart from the article is a good resource for bulletin boards, exam rooms or clinic communications. Find it in a PDF form here … [Read more...]
Recent FDA approvals include first oral treatment for canine lymphoma
The FDA granted full approval for the first oral treatment for canine lymphoma, plus three conditionally approved animal drugs and cleared new generics for cats, horses and cattle. Source: AVMA News, March 5, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 12, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 5, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 5, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Scoring system reveals parasites affect equine skin, coat condition. Link. Practicing radical acceptance. Link. Short online programs for overcoming depression led to improvements. Link. You are in charge. Link. Review: The … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 2, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Participation sought for Pet Care Services Industry Financial Survey. Link. Request to update any job postings in member portal Legislative news from Virginia Source: IBPSA, March 2, 2026. Link. Also see: Do you have a minors policy for your pet business?, Pets+, December 17, 2024. Link. Readers share whether they do or not and … [Read more...]
Better cat grooming starts in the tub
A lot of groomers, especially those who transitioned from dog grooming, are not bathing cats as thoroughly as they should, writes Lynn Paolillo. She shares the importance of desensitizing, degreasing and thorough rinsing. Source: Groomer to Groomer, March 2026. Link. Better cat grooming starts in the tub. A good bath sets the tone for every other step: drying, combing, … [Read more...]
Petland showcases transparency, collaboration with responsible USDA-licensed breeders
Petland, a specialty pet retail franchise company, is highlighting a cornerstone of its mission: unprecedented transparency and direct collaboration with responsible, USDA-licensed breeders who are committed to raising behaviorally appropriate, healthy pets. Source: Pet Age, February 27, 2026. Link. Petland sources puppies exclusively from responsible hobby breeders and … [Read more...]
Adopters love their shelter pets, but 78 percent of dog owners report behavior challenges
Conclusions from a landmark new study indicate high satisfaction ratings, while more than three-fourths of adopters faced behavioral or care challenges. These findings suggest that general satisfaction measures may obscure important challenges as animals settle into their new homes. Species-specific counselling, proactive veterinary engagement, and further microchip … [Read more...]
Dogs are more like toddlers than cats when it comes to helping humans
This study fits into human-animal bond thinking and domestication dynamics. Bottom line, if you need to find something, ask a dog or kid to help. . . not the cat. A study published in the journal Animal Behaviour investigated how untrained companion dogs, companion cats and 16- to 24-month-old toddlers respond when a familiar caregiver searched for a hidden object. Their … [Read more...]
Theileria orientalis is moving westward, now in 60 Missouri counties
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is the primary vector for Theileria orientalis ikeda, and it transmits the organism through its saliva while feeding on cattle. This disease has been reported in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West … [Read more...]
KCAHC seeks innovators in companion animal, ag tech and food animal sectors
The KC Animal Health Corridor is now accepting Emerging Company applications for the 2026 Animal Health Summit, taking place August 31st to September 1st. The Summit provides a global platform for early-stage companies in companion animal health, ag tech and food animal production to present their technologies and business plans to investors, strategic partners and industry … [Read more...]
FDA approves Merck Animal Health’s NUMELVI™ (atinvicitinib tablets) for dogs
NUMELVI™ (atinvicitinib tablets) is the first and only second-generation Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs six months of age and older. The product is expected to be available at veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide in spring 2026. Source: Merck Animal Health, February 27, 2026. … [Read more...]