Veterinary industry

Industry Snapshot

GENERAL INDUSTRY: Health Science

CAREER CLUSTER: Health Science

SUBCATEGORY INDUSTRIES: Animal Hospitals; Livestock Inspection and Testing; Livestock Veterinary Services; Pet Veterinary Services; Veterinary Offices; Veterinary Research and Development; Veterinary Testing Laboratories

RELATED INDUSTRIES: Animal Care Services; Livestock and Animal Products Industry; Museums and Cultural Institutions Industry; Public Health Services

ANNUAL DOMESTIC REVENUES: US$65.6 billion (IBISWorld, 2023)

NAICS NUMBERS: 541712, 541940

Summary

The veterinary industry is dedicated to protecting the health of nonhuman animals, from wildlife to livestock and companion animals. In addition to veterinarians, the industry includes a variety of semiskilled and skilled support positions, such as veterinary research technicians, animal grooming and maintenance workers, and veterinary assistants. The industry is closely tied to both the medical research industry and the study of animal behavior in general. Many veterinarians contribute to the study of animal biology, behavior, and physiology, as well as other facets of the life sciences.

History of the Industry

Since its inception, veterinary medicine has been closely related to human medicine, and both industries emerged before the advent of written history. Between 3000 and 2500 B.C.E., humans began domesticating animals for food and other animal products. In the process, they began to learn about the ailments that affect livestock and other working animals, and they began to develop treatments to keep their animals healthy. The first animals studied from a veterinary perspective were horses and other livestock, as well as dogs and cats, the most common companion animals. The early study of animal health served a utilitarian purpose, as humans depended on animals for food and labor. Horses were used for transportation and to aid in farm labor, while dogs and cats hunted pests and protected property.

Ancient texts indicate that veterinary medicine emerged as a specialty largely in ancient Egypt, where early veterinarians cared for cats and dogs, which were considered sacred animals, as well as a variety of livestock. In ancient India, veterinary medicine was described in manuals written as early as 1800 B.C.E., and it was considered one of the most prestigious fields of study. Records indicate that the first animal hospitals were established in the Indian subcontinent as early as 230 B.C.E. Ancient writings from Greece and Rome also indicate that veterinary studies gained a foothold in those Western societies, from which they spread through Europe.

Modern veterinary science emerged during the European Renaissance, along with major developments in human medicine and the life sciences in general. Researchers and biology enthusiasts in Europe and around the world dissected animals in order to further their studies in human medicine; likewise, medical developments instituted for the benefit of humans filtered into the veterinary field. Rapid advancements in scientific knowledge and a widespread increase in experimentation on animals led to the systematic development of the veterinary field.

One of the first veterinary schools on record was established in Lyons, France, in 1761. The French government sponsored the establishment of a professional veterinary program out of economic concerns, mostly in an effort to protect and aid the agricultural industry. The development of institutionalized veterinary medicine continued to follow the evolution of the agriculture industry. Veterinary institutions were soon established in many European colonies, including the United States and Canada.

In 1855, the US Department of Agriculture supported the foundation of the Veterinary College of Philadelphia, the first college of veterinary medicine in the United States. In 1879, Iowa State College opened the first public veterinary college, and in 1883, the University of Pennsylvania became the first institution to operate an accredited veterinary program. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was established in 1863, and it became the national authority on veterinary practices and education. The AVMA helped popularize veterinary medicine by publishing peer-reviewed journals, by funding its development, and by organizing meetings among professionals in the field.

In the late nineteenth century, funds for veterinary medicine were concentrated on treating maladies that affected work animals and livestock. Veterinarians, however, were also capable of treating companion animals. One of the first major milestones for veterinary medicine in the United States was the discovery of ticks’ role in transmitting disease after a major outbreak of Texas fever. Groundbreaking work on ticks and disease transmission helped enhance the relevance of modern veterinary study and led to increased funding for veterinary colleges. Early animal researchers and veterinarians also played an important role in human medicine by studying and investigating a variety of diseases that affect both humans and nonhuman animals. For example, pioneering work on tuberculosis and a variety of other diseases depended on the work of veterinary specialists.

Following World War I, the US population became increasingly urbanized and the demand for agricultural veterinarians rapidly declined. Many veterinarians began specializing in the treatment of dogs and cats instead. The market for such specialists expanded as cities grew, and the companion animal veterinary industry eventually eclipsed livestock medicine as the largest facet of the veterinary industry. During this same period, the specialty of wildlife veterinary medicine grew, as concern over the health of wild animal populations spread among the populace. The demand for wildlife veterinarians was bolstered during the 1960s by a movement to improve the condition and practices of zoos and other wild animal parks.

The development of the urban veterinary industry resulted in increased specialization. Building on human medical research, veterinarians developed a wide variety of subdisciplines to treat specific types of animals or disorders. By the close of the twentieth century, veterinary medicine constituted a multifaceted and rapidly growing industry serving both commercial and personal interests. While livestock and commercial medicine remained important facets of the field, treatment of companion animals became one of the primary pillars of the industry.

The Industry Today

The veterinary industry remains a robust and growing field in the early twenty-first century. The growth of the industry is closely linked to the growth of the human population, increasing urbanization worldwide, and the continued popularity and ownership of cats, dogs, and other companion animals. In addition, as disposable income increases in Western countries such as the United States—and as specialty products and industries catering to pet owners, such as pet insurance, develop—the demand for veterinary specialists will continue to increase.

In the United States, the rapid growth of cat and dog populations has helped fuel the growth of the veterinary industry, even as the demand for agricultural veterinarians has decreased. Veterinary medicine for companion animals has splintered into a number of subfields dedicated to treating specific ailments. In addition to general practitioners, there are veterinarians specializing in dentistry, ophthalmology, cardiology, orthopedics, and a number of other areas.

Veterinary surgery has become one of the major specialties in the field; surgical procedures range from spaying and neutering pets to a variety of specialized procedures. Veterinary oncology is another growing field, driven by the number of pets susceptible to various types of cancer. Veterinary surgeons and oncologists are often employed within animal hospitals or clinics, though some may opt for private practice. Another specialty that is growing rapidly is veterinary orthopedics, largely in the treatment of canines. The large number of dog breeds that suffer from congenital orthopedic disorders has helped veterinary orthopedics become a thriving specialty.

A number of related fields have emerged to supplement traditional veterinary medicine in the twenty-first century. Among these are holistic veterinary medicine, which is a branch of the industry concerned with treating animals using herbs and alternative medical treatments, such as massage, energy therapy, acupuncture, and other types of therapy. Veterinary psychology involves evaluating and treating animals with psychological problems. It is closely related to the study of animal behavior and involves similar methods of evaluation and treatment.

The veterinary industry has also changed in response to the evolving ecological consciousness of the population. Concern over species depletion and extinction has led to greater interest in wildlife veterinary medicine and in helping stop the spread of disease in wild populations. Wildlife veterinarians also play an important role in the medical industry by helping study and evaluate the transmission of disease and the effects of population dynamics on health.

While veterinary practices were once closely tied to utilitarian needs, modern veterinarians serve many clients who desire luxury care for their pets. Some modern vets offer a variety of “comfort services” in addition to basic care, including aromatherapy, alternative medicine, and luxury examination rooms for extra comfort. In addition, the number of veterinarians working in some countries has allowed increased specialization within the profession, where some veterinarians specialize in certain types of animals, such as birds, dogs, cats, horses, or reptiles.

The veterinary industry includes not only veterinarians, technicians, and other workers in animal hospitals and clinics but also pet medication manufacturers and specialists who research and develop new treatments and techniques. Indeed, veterinary research and development has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, largely buoyed by veterinary pharmaceuticals. The veterinary industry remains tightly tied to the medical industry. Research and development in human medicine and medical technology filters into the veterinary industry and similarly, veterinary research provides essential information used to further the advance of human medicine.

Industry Outlook

Overview

While many US industries suffered as a result of the 2007–9 global financial crisis, the veterinary industry, like other medical services, remained strong. Veterinary services are generally considered essential, rather than elective. In addition, the overall increase in the affluence of the American population and a constantly increasing population of domestic animals have contributed to the continuing growth of the veterinary industry.

In 2023, the American Pet Products Association estimated that there were about 146 million pets in the United States, slightly fewer than the number projected by the the Pet Food Institute’s statistics. According to the AVMA, as of 2022, approximately 67.2 percent of working veterinarians in private practice focused exclusively on companion animals. Also according to the AVMA, there were more than 124,000 veterinarians in the United States in 2022. These statistics indicate that there is ample room for growth within the veterinary industry.

The BLS estimates that the number of jobs for qualified veterinarians will grow by 19.7 percent between 2022 and 2032. Because the domestic cat population is growing at a faster rate than is the domestic dog population, the demand for cat services is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the veterinary industry. For each veterinarian entering the industry, moreover, there is a demand for one or more veterinary technicians. The BLS estimates that the technician and technologist industry will grow by 20.5 percent between 2022 and 2032.

As of 2020, there were about thirty accredited veterinary schools in the United States, leading to considerable competition among prospective students. The situation is similar for those seeking to become veterinary technicians and technologists, as there are too few programs available to serve all the nation’s prospective students. In addition, most veterinary technicians and technologists leave their jobs after eight years or fewer, creating more employment opportunities for those wishing to enter the industry.

Another factor affecting the amount of work available for veterinary workers is the number of pet owners who regularly use veterinary services, which is expected to grow as the general population increases in affluence. Job prospects are expected to increase, both for those seeking to provide high-end veterinary services and for those interested in offering cheaper veterinary options to low-income pet owners. Job prospects remain good in both urban and suburban areas, and there are numerous additional opportunities for those seeking to work in underserved rural areas. The veterinary industry is always evolving with the advent of new therapies, techniques, and technology. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, alternative therapies and specialized veterinary medicine were the two major trends dominating the field.

The modern veterinary field has kept pace with human medicine in terms of procedures, equipment, and research. Many procedures that were once available only to humans—such as advanced cancer treatments, joint-replacement surgery, kidney transplants, and other advanced surgical techniques—are now regularly performed on animals. In addition, veterinary specialists, once relatively rare, are becoming more common. Specialist veterinarians generally work at veterinary hospitals or learning institutions and tend to cater to the more affluent customers who can afford the considerable costs of special procedures. The veterinary oncology and orthopedic surgery subsectors, in particular, have grown considerably. This increase is partly related to inbreeding to create purebred dog strains, which has exacerbated degenerative ailments among dogs. Veterinary specialists have allowed many animals to survive that might have been euthanized in the past.

Another area of growth in the specialized veterinary industry is veterinary dentistry, a field that has grown rapidly into the early twenty-first century. Many pet owners purchase preventive dental care for their dogs and cats, preventing tooth decay and tooth loss in elderly animals. The emergence of veterinary dentistry has also led to growth in the technician and technologist fields, as veterinary dentistry often requires specially trained assistants.

In a trend similar to those affecting human medicine, the specialization of veterinary professionals has led to a situation in which trained technologists now routinely handle basic veterinary care, while veterinarians handle more advanced diagnoses and procedures. This situation is analogous to that in human medicine, in which nurse practitioners have begun to take a larger role in primary care, while physicians concentrate on advanced care.

The other major growth area in the veterinary industry is alternative care, which includes veterinary psychology, holistic veterinary care, and other alternative treatments. While alternative care is still a relatively small subsector—and is typically available only in urban environments—the number of practitioners offering alternative care has grown in the twenty-first century, as have the number of alternative treatment options for human patients.

Holistic veterinary care has a number of subfields, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, and relaxation therapy. While basic veterinary care is often considered an essential expenditure, holistic care generally appeals only to affluent pet owners with considerable disposable income. Alternative treatments appeal to those who have found that traditional treatments have been ineffective and also to those who have a strong personal belief in the efficacy of alternative treatment options.

Like holistic care, veterinary psychology is generally considered optional rather than essential, and it appeals only to those who have sufficient disposable income. The field has grown, however, because many animal trainers and animal care experts have begun to offer veterinary psychology as part of their behavioral analyses. Veterinary psychology has therefore thrived because of its association with the more popular and practical animal training industry.

Another area of growth within the veterinary industry is wildlife medicine. Increasing global concern over extinction of species and the threats affecting wild populations of animals has increased the demand for specialists in the fields of veterinary medicine and wildlife health. Veterinarians specializing in exotic animals and wildlife may find work in zoological parks and wildlife parks, as well as through conservation organizations.

As populations of wild animals shrink to vulnerable levels, disease can rapidly spread through a population and bring a species to the brink of extinction. Wildlife veterinarians specializing in infectious diseases have therefore found a strong niche in the industry, and the demand for wildlife specialists is expected to grow as the environmental crisis increases in intensity.

Veterinarians may also be employed by state and federal agencies, and they often play an important role in monitoring and preventing the spread of disease between animal and human populations. As concern over diseases such as COVID-19 and H1N1 (swine flu) have increased in the early twenty-first century, the demand for veterinarians working in infectious diseases and related specialties continues to grow.

Employment Advantages

The BLS and the AVMA both predict that the veterinary industry will continue its current trend of robust growth and increasing availability of jobs. Because animal care will remain an essential service, the animal care industry will enjoy greater stability than some consumer and recreation industries. Job losses are less likely among veterinarians, technologists, and technicians, and most veterinary clinics are able to maintain sufficient volume to maintain a full staff, even in times of economic turmoil.

The veterinary industry offers a diverse array of career paths, from executive management and education positions to organic chemistry and advanced medical research. The increasing diversity of veterinary medicine, with a growing list of specializations and subspecializations, allows veterinary graduates to choose from a larger list of potential career options. As veterinary medicine diversifies, new career paths are created within the technician and technologist professions as well.

In addition, the veterinary industry offers unique opportunities to have a direct impact on the environment and ecological health, as well as opportunities to positively affect human culture. Veterinarians, technologists, and technicians are essential to efforts to control loss of species, to promote environmental health, and to slow the processes of ecological decay. Veterinary workers are also essential in the effort to provide sufficient food for the global population and to study, prevent, and cure many different kinds of diseases.

While veterinary medicine and skilled assistant positions require investment in education, the veterinary industry provides a number of positions for semiskilled and unskilled workers. These workers serve as janitorial assistants, animal handlers, and maintenance technicians, among other roles. In addition, veterinary hospitals, clinics, and learning institutions employ a large number of students and young workers for temporary jobs and aid in the training of a large number of individuals hoping to enter the animal care industry as professionals. As animal care is available in a variety of areas, from urban environments to rural communities, the industry also spreads job availability around the globe.

Most veterinary workers are drawn to the industry by a basic love for animals and a desire to aid in their care and well-being. Along with zoological parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and the animal sciences, the veterinary industry allows persons with a love for animals to earn a living engaging with animals on a daily basis. Many who work in veterinary positions are drawn more by their own passion for animals than by the wages and job security afforded by the industry.

Annual Earnings

The BLS estimated the median annual income of US veterinarians in 2022 at $103,260. Veterinary technicians and technologists earned $32,240. While technicians and technologists earn far less on average than veterinarians, the lower cost of training and greater job availability continue to make veterinary medical support an attractive option.

According to the BLS, animal care and service workers earned a median annual income of $29,790 in 2022. Though this category earned wages significantly lower than the more specialized facets of the industry, animal care workers require less training: On-the-job training often suffices. Because of the low pay compared to other employment opportunities requiring similar levels of educational attainment and experience, animal-care positions tend to attract a large number of students and young workers.

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