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Pet Age Staff//August 20, 2026//
Pet Age Staff//August 20, 2026//
ROYAL CANIN U.S., a global leader in pet health nutrition, and VCA Animal Hospitals, a leading provider of veterinary care and part of the Mars Veterinary Health care network, are teaming up with OG Anunoby to encourage cat owners everywhere to prioritize preventive care, and schedule annual veterinary visits in honor of National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day on August 22.
Following the success of ‘OG’s Starting Five’ adoption program, Anunoby is continuing his collaboration with Royal Canin and VCA to use his platform as a cat lover and animal advocate to remind cat owners about the importance of routine wellness exams and early detection.
“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. Cats are known for hiding when something is not right, which is why regular veterinary visits are important,” said Anunoby, a star basketball forward for the New York Knicks in the NBA. “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.”
New insights from Mars Veterinary Health’s extensive pet health data highlight a significant gap in cats receiving routine veterinary care. Analyzing data from more than three million pets seen at its U.S. general veterinary practices in 2025, the network found dogs accounted for nearly 80% of pets seen, while cats represented just over 20%. Cats also visited less frequently, averaging about two visits per year compared to 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, Royal Canin U.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.
Young adulthood is an important stage in a cat’s life, as common conditions such as dental disease and unhealthy weight gain can begin to emerge. When identified early, these issues are often easier and less costly to manage. Despite this, Mars Veterinary Health data found a 26% decline in veterinary visits between the juvenile stage (under 1 year) and young adulthood (ages 1 to under 3 years) in cats.
Among young adult cats seen in 2025:
“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.”
(Photo courtesy Royal Canin)
