Does Our Industry Hate Cats???

Of course not....but the lack of innovation in animal health, specifically for cats can be attributed to a combination of historical, cultural, and economic factors...Here's a breakdown as I see it

Historical Reasons

• Dogs as Human Companions: Throughout history, dogs have been more deeply integrated into human society, especially as working animals. From hunting partners to herding animals, and even more recently as service animals, dogs have played a more prominent role in society, which led to greater focus on their healthcare. The historical relationship between humans and dogs made them the center of attention for veterinarians and pet care professionals, leaving Cats, which have had more of a companion-only role, somewhat sidelined.
• Cats as Semi-Domestic Animals: In many cultures, Cats were historically viewed as semi-domestic...Cats were valued for their ability to hunt pests...keep rats and birds out of livestock feed and for much of history, they were left to their own devices when it came to care. In comparison, dogs were bred and raised for a working/economically benefitial purpose which likely contributed to their healthcare needs being prioritized.
• Veterinary Practice Development: The development of veterinary practices as an organized profession started with a focus on animals with economic/societal benefits.. especially in agrarian societies. Dogs were early subjects of veterinary care due to their working roles, and the focus on companion animals, particularly Cats, took longer to develop, with fewer resources devoted to them.

Cultural Reasons

• Perception of Cats as Low-Maintenance: Cats are often culturally seen as more independent and low-maintenance than dogs, and this perception has influenced how much healthcare attention they receive. Cats don’t require walks or constant social interaction, which can lead to the belief that they don’t need specialized veterinary care or innovation. This cultural view means fewer people may actively seek out new treatments, technologies, or innovations tailored specifically to Cats.
• Cats as Mysterious or Aloof: Cats have a more independent, sometimes aloof reputation compared to dogs, and they are often perceived as more difficult to care for in terms of understanding their behaviors. This cultural view results in fewer studies, less research funding, and less interest in developing innovations catering to the subtle ways Cats communicate and express their needs.
• Fewer Cultural Icons or Movements for Cats: Dogs have had widespread cultural significance in media, from famous dog breeds to movies...even political roles (like the White House dog). Cats, though beloved, haven’t had the same level of widespread cultural visibility. Over time these subtle cultural influences impact the amount of attention and innovation devoted to Cat-specific veterinary care.

Economic Reasons

• Smaller Market for Cat-Specific Products: The economic incentive to invest in Cat-specific innovations isn’t as strong because Cat owners/caregivers seek veterinary care less frequently than their canine counterparts. With fewer Cat owners seeking out specialized care, there’s less financial motivation for companies and professionals to develop new treatments, technologies, or diagnostic tools for Cats.
• Higher Costs of Veterinary Care for Dogs: Dog owners often spend more on their pets, including more frequent vet visits, grooming, and advanced medical treatments. Veterinary practices tend to allocate resources toward canine care to meet the demands of dog owners who are willing to pay for these services. Consequently, resources available for developing feline innovations are limited.
• Insurance and Economic Accessibility: Pet insurance has often focused more on dogs due to their higher healthcare expenses. As a result, innovations like advanced diagnostics, surgeries, and preventive treatments are more readily available for dogs as part of policy coverage.
• Focus on Livestock and Large Animals: Veterinary care originated primarily to serve the agricultural industry, focused on livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep and eventually working dogs. Companion animal care, including Cats, only became a larger focus as urbanization increased. Today's care systems evolved from our production animal roots with less consideration for the education, facilities and training required for specie specific care.
• Veterinary Medicine as a Whole: The veterinary industry itself has faced financial constraints, and since the industry still struggles with access to capital and lower fees compared to human healthcare, resources are often diverted to where there’s the greatest demand or return on investment. Since dogs represent a larger market, it’s no surprise they receive more attention.

Challenges in Developing Cat-Specific Innovations

• Cats' Unique Health Needs: While Cats and dogs share some similarities (they both have 4 legs, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 tail...) their physiological differences are considerable and can make it harder to develop one-size-fits-all innovations. For example, Cats have a different view of the world around them, unique survival instincts, a different metabolic rate, kidney function, and even dietary needs. These differences require very specific treatments and innovations, but the market size for Cat-specific solutions is smaller, leading to fewer resources dedicated to developing new approaches.
• Behavioral Challenges: Cats may be less cooperative with medical treatments or diagnostic tools due to stress and anxiety in the patient. This can make it more difficult for researchers and veterinarians to develop solutions for Cats that are both effective and easy to administer. The perceived challenges in observing and interacting with Cats in clinical settings may slow the development of innovations.

Conclusion

The lack of innovation for Cats in the veterinary industry is a result of a combination of historical roles, cultural perceptions, and economic factors steering focus toward other species, particularly dogs. As societal attitudes evolve and as more Cat owners/care givers demand better healthcare and innovation, we may see more attention paid to the unique needs of felines in the veterinary field.