Shaping the Future of Cat Care

Community | September 2026

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Graham Garrison is an editor and writer with experience in business and trade publications across several industries. He has worked for Veterinary Advantage since 2009.

The inaugural Feline Summit highlighted opportunities to advance cat-friendly care through education, collaboration and a deeper understanding of how cats experience the world.

The inaugural Feline Summit brought together leaders from across veterinary medicine and animal health July 19-21 to identify barriers to feline care and develop strategies to improve the health and well-being of cats.
Convened by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), the summit included representatives from veterinary medicine, industry, education, technology and animal health. Hosted by Butterfly Network and TriviumVet/PRN Pharmacal, the event focused on collaboration across the feline healthcare ecosystem.

“What made the inaugural Feline Summit so special was that it brought together members of the veterinary community who do not often get the opportunity to sit at the same table,” said Jeff Pane, marketing and communications manager, FelineVMA. “We had leaders from clinical practice, academia, industry, animal welfare, communications, research, and professional organizations all focused on one question: how do we improve healthcare for cats?”

Working toward a common goal

Participants discussed several trends shaping feline medicine, including longer feline lifespans, advances in treatment and technology, workforce shortages, changing caregiver expectations and the fact that cats continue to receive veterinary care less frequently than dogs. Attendees also emphasized that many veterinary systems were historically designed around canine patients and may not adequately address the behavioral, emotional and medical needs of cats.

The summit highlighted Cat Friendly principles as an important tool for improving feline care. According to the FelineVMA, Cat Friendly approaches can help reduce stress, encourage more frequent veterinary visits, improve diagnostic and early-detection rates, and increase confidence and efficiency among veterinary teams.

“Two themes emerged over and over again,” said Pane. “The first was education, not only in veterinary and veterinary technician schools, but across the profession.

Participants discussed the need to better integrate feline-specific concepts including behavior, emotional health, distress reduction, Cat Friendly principles, and effective communication with caregivers into veterinary and veterinary technician curriculum. “In addition, we need to provide more practical education and resources for small animal practices that may not yet focus on these concepts with feline patients.”

The second theme centered on communication. “We have a growing body of evidence showing that reducing stress and addressing a cat’s emotional well-being improves the veterinary experience, yet we still struggle to communicate those concepts consistently,” Pane said. There was a great deal of discussion about creating shared language, improving how we talk about feline care, and using imagery that better reflects what positive, cat-centered interactions and environments look like. “By creating a clearer and more unified approach, we can help veterinary teams and caregivers better understand the value of feline-focused care.”

Perhaps most importantly, the Summit reinforced that advancing feline healthcare will require collaboration across organizations and disciplines. “The enthusiasm came from recognizing how much progress is possible when diverse groups work toward a common goal,” Pane said.

Cat Friendly care enters its next chapter

Among the priorities identified were expanding feline education in veterinary and veterinary technician schools, increasing continuing education and practical resources for veterinary teams, improving public awareness of feline healthcare needs and strengthening collaboration among industry stakeholders. The FelineVMA also announced plans to launch a Cat Friendly Campaign this fall, providing tools, education and practical guidance to help veterinary teams enhance feline care.

The Cat Friendly movement has evolved significantly over the past decade, expanding from a focus on reducing stress during veterinary visits to a more comprehensive approach to feline healthcare. Pane said veterinary teams now recognize that a cat’s emotional experience can influence team safety, diagnostic opportunities, treatment compliance, caregiver relationships and, ultimately, the cat’s health and well-being.

Key milestones include the publication of the original Feline-friendly Handling Guidelines in 2011, the launch of the Cat Friendly Practice Program in 2012 and the introduction of Cat Friendly Certificate Programs in 2020. Updated Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction and Handling Guidelines and Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines followed in 2022, both endorsed by 33 organizations.

The approach is also showing measurable impact. Cat Friendly practices can improve diagnostic opportunities and disease detection, reduce injuries among veterinary professionals and strengthen client relationships. More than 20,000 Cat Friendly Certificates have now been awarded, helping veterinary professionals develop greater understanding of feline needs.

At the recent Feline Summit, Pane said the movement is poised to broaden its focus even further. “The conversation has expanded beyond reducing distress to also include understanding feline emotions, improving the experience for all involved, strengthening education, and elevating the standard of care for cats.”

What sets Cat-Friendly practices apart?
Practices that excel in feline medicine consistently view care from the cat’s perspective. That means considering the entire experience, from getting into the carrier and traveling to the clinic through the examination and returning home. These teams understand feline body language, stressor stacking and the connection between emotional well-being and health outcomes, Pane said. They also recognize caregivers as essential partners, providing education that extends beyond the appointment.
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