National Cat Day: AVMA urges cat owners to prioritize veterinary care

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) October 29, 2025-As cat lovers celebrate National Cat Day on October 29, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is encouraging cat owners to take an essential step toward protecting their feline companions: establishing and maintaining a relationship with a veterinarian.

According to the AVMA's 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, 87.9% of dog owners report having a regular veterinarian or veterinary practice, but only 74.7% of cat owners say the same. That gap highlights a major opportunity to better safeguard the health and welfare of America's cats.

"Cats deserve the same level of preventive care and veterinary attention as dogs," said Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president of the AVMA. "Having a regular veterinarian means more than just being ready in an emergency; it means having a trusted partner to help detect problems early and guide your cat's care throughout their life."

Annual veterinary visits are especially important for detecting conditions that cats often hide, such as dental disease, kidney issues, and arthritis. Preventive care-such as vaccinations, parasite control, and nutritional guidance-is critical to helping cats live long, healthy lives.

And that includes indoor-only cats, too.

"It's a common misconception that indoor cats don't need veterinary care," said Dr. Bailey. "But even indoor cats can face serious risks, from bats or wildlife entering a home and carrying diseases like rabies, to unexpected escapes that put them at risk for injury, parasites, or getting lost."

For these reasons, microchipping is another key safety measure for all cats, regardless of lifestyle. Research shows that microchipped stray cats are dramatically more likely to be reunited with their owners-but only if the chip is registered and up to date.

This National Cat Day, the AVMA encourages all cat owners to:

• Schedule an annual checkup with their veterinarian.
• Establish a veterinary relationship if they don't already have one.
• Protect their cats with appropriate preventive care and microchipping.

And for those considering adding a cat to the family, the AVMA offers trusted, expert guidance on how to choose the right cat and prepare for lifelong care. Visit the AVMA website to learn more.

For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or [email protected].