: Dogs are biologically omnivorous and can survive on varied diets. Cats are "obligate carnivores," meaning they require specific nutrients found only in animal tissue to survive. 2. Industry and Ownership Trends (2025–2026)
: Dogs belong to the Caniformia (dog-like) suborder, making them more closely related to bears and walruses than to cats. Cats belong to the Feliformia (cat-like) suborder, sharing more recent ancestry with hyenas and mongooses. Dogs and cats
: Major research reports, such as the Banfield State of Pet Health , utilize data from millions of annual visits to track the top health issues and wellness trends across the U.S.. 3. Welfare and Shelter Data : Dogs are biologically omnivorous and can survive
: Dogs were domesticated roughly 40,000 years ago as hunting partners. Cats domesticated themselves approximately 12,000 years ago, following the rise of agriculture to hunt rodents in grain stores. Industry and Ownership Trends (2025–2026) : Dogs belong
: As of mid-2025, cat ownership has seen a record-breaking rise, with owners increasingly prioritizing pet nutrition and proactive wellness.
: A deepening human-animal bond is driving the "humanization" of pets, where they are treated as full family members.