The PET market has been advancing in the Brazilian economy and, according to Abinpet (Brazilian Association of the Pet Products Industry)¹, earned R$ 22.3 billion in 2019. Today, Brazilian homes have more pets than children, according to recent data from the IBGE² (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). And of these more than 141 million animals, 24.7 million are felines. The cumulative growth of cats from 2018-2019 was 3%, almost double that of dogs (1.7%). In Brazil, dogs are still many, about 55 million, but in countries like Germany, the United States and France, cats are already the majority in relation to dogs.
This increase in the desire for cats is because people want to have a companion but one that has a certain independence. Dogs are still the best friends of humans and the majority in Brazilian homes, but with a hectic work and social routine, people are looking for a pet friend who can have greater autonomy. According to surveys by the responsible agencies, by 2022 the number of cats may be equal to that of dogs.
According to Anclivepa-GO (National Association of Veterinary Clinicians of Small Animals of Goiás) the care of felines today is about 30%, while 20 years ago it was 5% to 7%. Pet shops and veterinary clinics have been paying attention to this cat market and expanding their product and service offerings for them.
The CVA Solutions³ survey, Petcare Dogs and Cats 2020, pointed out that cat owners (also known as catters) spend an average of R$ 294 per month on their animals, including veterinary medicines, food and care. What kittens are looking for most are ways to pamper their kittens and make them comfortable with or without your presence.
Cat health
The CVA Solutions survey pointed out that more than 70% of the tutors interviewed see their pets as part of the family and treat them as such. Therefore, they invest in good products for their health and well-being.
According to the veterinarian from Paraná, a specialist in felines, Camille Cesca Fauro, one of the most important points in the care of cats is their urinary and kidney health. “Felines originate from the desert, and still carry characteristics of animals from there. The main one is low water intake. This is because in nature its main source of water intake is its prey (small rodents have about 70% water, for example)”, he explains.
The renal physiology of kittens also contributes to the predisposition to kidney diseases. “In addition to the use of dry food, which can aggravate kidney problems due to lack of moisture, cats have 200,000 nephrons (functional unit of the kidney) while dogs have 400,000”, highlights Camille.
Cats clean themselves by licking, so it is important to brush their hair regardless of size. “When they have a lot of dead hair, during licking they can ingest in excess, causing the famous hairballs or trichobazoars, which can cause vomiting and even intestinal obstruction. The ideal is to brush by removing dead hair, in the case of cats with short hair, the indicated frequency is once a week, in medium-haired cats 2 to 3 times a week and long-haired cats every other day”, explains the veterinarian.
Feeding
Cats like wetter food, so they prefer sachets or pâtés, which may or may not be mixed with normal dry food. “In nature, cats usually eat prey (small animals) and wet food resembles this food. It is also important to use wet food to help the feline replenish water”, says the veterinarian. According to the CVA survey, 52.1% of owners give sachets to their cats.
Despite the preferences, the proper feeding of kittens is according to their age. As a baby, he still breastfeeds his mother or if he no longer has her, he needs a specific milk. In the adult stage it can be dry or wet food, taking care to alternate brands and flavors so that the cat does not get sick and stop eating. When elderly, it is better to use pâtés so that the animal does not have difficulty chewing and can continue to eat well.
Behaviour
Cats have a more independent and autonomous behavior, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need attention. Camille points out that they also like to play and that boredom can cause health problems. “Cats do not need daily walks like dogs, but they really like to receive affection and also to play. Boredom can generate anxiety and with that increases food intake (which can lead to obesity) and also other behavioral problems”, she says. The ideal, according to the veterinarian, is to take at least 15 minutes a day to play with the kittens, encouraging them to run and exercise. “Recreational toys that stimulate hunting are interesting, since they are born hunters”, he explains.
Usually cats do not like to change their environment or leave their house forced to. When owners travel and cannot take them, it is common for them to look for a pet sitter. Someone responsible and qualified who will take care of the animal at his home. If it is a veterinarian or technician already known from your pet shop or clinic, even better. “Always opt for indoor breeding. Cats without access to the street have a longer life expectancy, as they stay away from fights, accidents, parasites, among other dangers”, details Camille.
Speaking of veterinarians, to make the consultation of cats less stressful, a good option is home care. In addition to being useful in these times of pandemic, it can greatly reduce the animal’s stress and thus facilitate consultation. Another good option is separate wings for dogs and cats in the clinic, or if this is not possible, you can also separate days and/or times for exclusive care of each species.
Learn more about the pet market in our article Pet market grows in the midst of the pandemic.
