Royal Canin and VCA Animal Hospitals partnered with NBA player OG Anunoby to encourage cat owners to schedule annual veterinary visits, highlighting that cats visit vets significantly less than dogs despite needing regular preventive care to catch health issues early.
- Cats represent only 20% of veterinary visits compared to dogs at 80%, despite being common household pets
- Cats average 2 visits per year versus nearly 3 for dogs, missing critical preventive care windows
- A 26% decline in vet visits occurs between juvenile cats and young adults ages 1-3, when dental disease and weight gain emerge
- Among young adult cats, nearly 30% have dental calculus, 10% are overweight, and 10% have gingivitis
- National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day on August 22 encourages owners to prioritize routine wellness visits for early health detection
Royal Canin U.S. and VCA Animal Hospitals, both part of Mars Petcare, are working with OG Anunoby to encourage cat owners to schedule annual veterinary visits in honor of National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day on Aug. 22.
The initiative follows OG's Starting Five adoption program, an earlier collaboration between Anunoby and the two organizations.
"As a cat lover who hopes to have a cat one day, I'm learning about what it takes to be a responsible pet owner," Anunoby said. "Cats are known for hiding when something is not right, which is why regular veterinary visits are important. I'm excited to team up with Royal Canin and VCA Animal Hospitals to encourage pet owners to take their cats to the veterinarian. As an athlete, I don't wait until something is wrong to check in with experts. Preventive care is important for me, and it's just as important for our pets."
Data from Mars Veterinary Health's U.S. general veterinary practices show a gap between cats and dogs in routine care. Of more than 3 million pets seen in 2025, dogs accounted for nearly 80% of visits, while cats represented just over 20%. Cats also visited less frequently, averaging about two visits per year compared with nearly three for dogs.
"Our commitment to feline education reflects Royal Canin's long-standing belief that nutrition and preventive veterinary care work hand in hand to help cats live healthier lives," said Jennifer Cullen, general manager of Royal Canin U.S.'s veterinary business unit. "We're proud to continue that commitment by partnering with OG Anunoby to encourage more cat owners to make routine veterinary visits a priority. Together with OG, we want to remind cat owners everywhere to take a simple but meaningful step for their pets: schedule that vet visit today."
Mars Veterinary Health data also show a 26% decline in veterinary visits between the juvenile stage, under 1 year old, and young adulthood, ages 1 to under 3 years, in cats — a period when dental disease and unhealthy weight gain can begin to emerge. Among young adult cats seen in 2025:
- Nearly 30% had dental calculus
- 10% were overweight
- Nearly 10% had gingivitis
"Routine, preventive veterinary care is one of the most important factors in maintaining the health and wellbeing of cats," said Dr. Julia Georgesen, chief medical officer at VCA Animal Hospitals. "Regular wellness visits help veterinarians identify concerns early and provide personalized recommendations to support long-term health. However, our data suggests that many cats visit their veterinarians less frequently than dogs. At VCA, we're working to make veterinary care more accessible and predictable for pet owners through our CareClub Paws and Access plans, designed to provide pets with veterinary wellness care at all life stages."
