Why the pet industry hopes Americans will start treating their cats more like dogs

Humans worshipped cats in pharaonic times and have been their servants, one way or another, almost ever since then. But until recently, the felines have not been getting that kind of deference in the modern-day United States from a pet products industry more focused on their canine counterparts.

It’s easy to see why doggos get so much attention from pet stores and manufacturers. Among U.S. pet owners, spending per dog last year was $1,381, while for cats it was $908, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Most cats are much smaller than most dogs, so they consume less food.