VMX: The Decade of the Cat is Upon Us
At our recent visit to VMX (Veterinary Meeting and Expo), we witnessed a welcome rise in cat recognition and relevance. Felines were the focus of many of the 1,300 total lectures during the show with relatable topics like “Tiny Patients, Big Innovations”, “Multi-cat Households: Solving Intercat Tension”, and “‘MEE-OW!!’ Feline Anxiety and Prepping for a Happy Vet Visit”.
Friends of CatCon were in abundance as well, with people like Dr. Marty Becker, DVM (Founder of Fear Free Pets, CatCon speaker 2019) as well as cat dad extraordinaire Dr. Matt McGlasson (CatCon speaker 2023) and Dr. Joe Owens (CatCon speaker 2023). Even CatConners Nathan the Cat Lady and Sterling “Trap King” Davis were in attendance, joining an estimated 30,000 veterinary professionals (and animal lovers!) coming from 86 countries around the world to witness the latest in groundbreaking innovations in animal health, from AI-powered diagnostics to the first RNA vaccine for companion animals.
The importance of preventative care for cats
Dr. Joe Owens sees an upward trajectory for our feline friends on the health and wellness front in the coming years. “Cats are gaining more recognition in the pet and veterinary landscape, and I see this trend continuing to grow. As more pet owners embrace the unique needs of cats, the industry is responding with specialized care, tailored products, and more focused education for veterinarians and pet parents alike.”
He further added, “With advancements in feline medicine, along with increased awareness about the importance of preventative care for cats, I’m optimistic that we’ll see even greater equity for our feline friends in the years to come. It’s an exciting time to advocate for and support improved care for cats!”
“The Decade of the Cat”
One of our favorite lectures during the event was “ The Cutting Edge – What is Coming On the Technology Horizon” presented by Bruce. L. Truman, BLT Technology & Innovation Group founder.
First slide up? “The Decade of the Cat”!
With what was dubbed “The Cat Collective Era”, Truman spoke about how we are at a kind of feline “tipping point.”
With cat ownership surpassing dogs and a new demand for feline-focused wellness, pet parents are embracing innovative solutions like AI-powered health monitoring and telehealth. As attitudes shift, veterinary medicine and the pet industry must adapt, ensuring cats receive the same level of care and attention as their canine counterparts. Not all visits will be at primary care, but instead there will be an ecosystem of care providers that must be embraced.
Cats are NOT small dogs!
Dr. Matt McGlasson, echoed that sentiment. “This is definitely the decade of the cat! We are seeing more cats coming into our hospitals…because of this, it is CRITICAL that veterinary hospitals understand that cats are not small dogs. Making the veterinary visit as easy and stress-free as possible is vital to ensuring pet parents bring their cats to the vet for routine wellness care.”
Also discussed in Truman’s VMX lecture was the fact that in the cat sector, there’s just less on the innovation side. “Cats are more independent and harder to monitor,” said Truman. “Their subtle health cues and tendency to hide illness make real-time monitoring difficult compared to dogs, who exhibit more obvious signs of distress.”
Then there’s the fact that by and large, cats have lower veterinary engagements. Studies put out by AVMA and APPA have shown that only about half of cats receive regular veterinary care, whereas dogs visit the vet more consistently. “With fewer cat owners engaging with vet-recommended tech, companies have had less incentive to invest in feline-specific innovations.”
New Tech for Pets
Historically, pet tech has been driven by demand, and dog owners tend to spend more per pet. Dog-related markets (wearables, training devices, interactive toys) have seen higher early adoption rates, leading companies to focus R&D efforts there. Wearables and smart tech have been challenge for the feline sector, and many tracking devices and wearables can be too cumbersome and intrusive for cats; plus (as we all know) cats are resistant to chance – thereby their tolerance level for devices – such as collars – are much lower than dogs.
But according to Truman, there is a big shift happening with the Cat Collective Era. Millennials and Gen Z are driving a new wave of cat ownership, and companies are recognizing the demand for AI-driven cat health tech, smart feeders, and wellness monitoring. And that’s just the start – the decade of the cat has begun!
CatCon will take place August 2-3, 2025 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Tickets on sale soon!
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