Feline Veterinary Visits Rise in Third Quarter
Cat owners are seeking more clinical care as overall veterinary visit volume declines across the country.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cats
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Feline veterinary visits in the United States increased by 2.7 percent during the third quarter of 2026, continuing a streak of growth that has lasted 12 consecutive quarters. While cat visits are trending upward, overall companion animal clinical visits declined by 1.9 percent year over year during this period.
Why it matters
The consistent rise in cat-focused clinical visits reflects a shifting landscape in pet care priorities for households across the country. As overall veterinary volume softens, understanding these trends helps owners anticipate changes in local clinic availability and care demand for their companion animals.
Cats accounted for 24 percent of all companion animal clinical visits in Q3 2026, up from 21 percent three years prior. Conversely, kitten and puppy visits for the period of July through September 2026 decreased by 0.9 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
The players
CATalyst Council
An organization focused on feline health and veterinary standards that publishes market insight reports.
Vetsource
A provider of veterinary business data and pharmacy services that tracks clinical visit metrics.
The details
Data from the CATalyst Council reveals that feline visit volume has grown steadily for 12 quarters, while canine visits have declined in 11 of the past 12 quarters. The figures, sourced from Vetsource, track clinical activity across the nation to map how post-pandemic pet ownership habits are stabilizing. These shifts suggest a cooling off in pediatric pet care compared to the 2018-19 baseline, with puppy visits projected to remain significantly lower.
Timeline
2018-2019: Baseline established for puppy veterinary visits.
Q3 2023: Cats represented 21 percent of clinical companion animal visits.
Q3 2026: Feline visits increased 2.7 percent year over year.
July-September 2026: Kitten and puppy visit declines were observed.
Fiscal 2027: Kitten visits are projected to remain 11 percent above pre-pandemic levels.
The Home Front
The uptick in feline clinical visits aligns with a broader industry trend of plateauing post-pandemic veterinary demand. This divergence between cat and dog care signals a potential shift in how households prioritize routine wellness for different companion animals.
Households should monitor whether local clinics are adjusting their appointment availability for different species based on these regional demand shifts. If you have a cat, consider confirming your annual check-up schedule now to ensure you secure a preferred time as clinics recalibrate their focus.
The takeaway
While clinical demand for dogs has cooled, the steady growth in feline visits highlights a persistent demand for cat care. Owners should check in with their veterinarian to ensure their cat's routine exam cycle remains on track despite broader fluctuations in veterinary clinic traffic.
Further reading
For more on managing your pet's health, visit our Cats section for expert guidance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Veterinary Practice News.
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