Feline Veterinary Visits Rise as Canine Visits Decline

Data for Q3 2026 shows a 2.7 percent increase in cat visits to clinics nationwide.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cats

Feline Veterinary Visits Rise as Canine Visits Decline

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Do you prioritize annual veterinary checkups for your cats as much as for your dogs?

Feline clinical visits increased by 2.7 percent in Q3 2026, marking 12 consecutive quarters of growth for cats. Conversely, canine visits declined 3.3 percent during the same period, continuing a broader downward trend in companion animal clinical appointments.

Why it matters

The divergent trends between cat and dog clinical visits highlight shifting patterns in pet healthcare utilization across the United States. This data provides insight into the long-term engagement of pet owners with veterinary services for their companion animals.

Feline clinical visits rose 2.7 percent in Q3 2026, while canine visits fell 3.3 percent. Cats now represent 24 percent of total clinical visits, up from 21 percent three years ago.

The players

CATalyst Council

This organization focuses on improving the health and welfare of cats through research and education initiatives.

Vetsource

This company provides pharmacy and business intelligence services to the veterinary industry.

The details

According to the CATalyst Council's Feline Veterinary Market Insights, the total volume of companion animal clinical visits declined 1.9 percent year over year. While overall cat visits are growing, specific metrics for kittens show a 0.9 percent decrease for the period of July through September 2026, whereas puppy visits dropped by 10 percent.

2018-2019: Baseline period established for puppy veterinary visits.
Q3 2023: Cats accounted for 21 percent of all companion animal clinical visits.
Q3 2026: Feline visits increased by 2.7 percent, representing 24 percent of total visits.
July-September 2026: Kitten visits decreased 0.9 percent and puppy visits fell 10 percent.
Fiscal 2027: Kitten visits are projected to finish 11 percent above pre-pandemic levels.

Culture Shift

This data reflects a significant shift in pet ownership dynamics that aligns with findings in the CATalyst Council's Feline Veterinary Market Insights. The long-term trend suggests that cats are occupying an increasingly central role in the domestic lives and healthcare priorities of Americans.

Pet owners may experience longer wait times for feline appointments as the demand for cat-specific clinical care continues to rise. Conversely, the decline in puppy visits could influence how local clinics structure their promotional health packages and scheduling availability.

The takeaway

The sustained growth in cat visits indicates a robust demand for feline-specific medical services across the country. Pet owners should ensure they are scheduling routine checkups early to account for these rising clinic attendance rates.