Pet food price inflation and retail shopping shifts

Price changes have affected how — and where — pet owners conduct their pet food shopping.

December 31, 2024

Pet food shopping continues to shift as inflation pressures, omnichannel options and pet owner preferences evolve.

Pet food shopping continues to shift as inflation pressures, omnichannel options and pet owner preferences evolve.

JackF | iStock.com

Reflecting the impacts of consumer price inflation on the costs of pet care, Packaged Facts’ July/August 2024 Survey of Pet Owners shows that 37% of pet owner households increased their overall spending on pets in the first half of 2024, compared to 2023 — nearly matching the 42% whose pet spending remained the same.

Log in to view the full article

Bob Riebe has been named chief operating and sales officer.

BSM Partners names chief operating and sales officer

Pet Food Institute releases statement on US presidential inauguration

Generational notes on pet food

The younger generations are firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to pet food shopping trends.

Millennials are the current pet food purchasing powerhouse generation, but as more Gen Zers become adults, they’re throwing their preferences into the trends mix.

Brand Insights

Pet food ingredient insights for new product development

WATT Global Media

Explore sustainable and healthy ingredients that keep your formulations profitable.

Pet food ingredient insights for new product development

Cross-currents in pet food expectations

Pet owners provide clear preferences in surveys, but their actual purchases don’t always bear their thoughts out.

Pet owners treat their pets like family, and with that comes the same conflicts of desire vs. practicality in pet food purchasing that exist in human food purchasing.

Vets as pet care influencers are on a more crowded stage

Specialty pet shops and the internet have gained in influence in recent years.

Veterinarians remain a reliable source of pet information in pet owners’ eyes, but other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Z.

Dry dog food update: Growth from ongoing premiumization

The top dog kibble companies continue to see growth in usage, as does the overall category.

Dog kibble brands continue to grow, alongside and perhaps in spite of novel ingredient and similar trends.

Pet food sales and retail shopping patterns: A side-by-side look

E-commerce and brick & mortar continue to grapple for share in an omnichannel market containing more players than ever.

Pet food shopping has far more consumer options than ever before, leading to a different experience for each pet owner depending on their needs.

Sales performance, growth prospects in US pet food

The trends are shifting in terms of pet ownership and pet food sales influences.

Dogs and cats are vying for the top spot in pet owners’ hearts more than ever, shifting pet food sales trends to match.

Pet food marketers begin to cat(ch) up

The cat segment may finally be getting its due as investors and companies alike see the available opportunities.

Cat owners have long known their animals are worth it, and now the pet food industry may be catching up.

The prognosis for prescription pet foods

Pet owners continue to shift the channels through which they purchase their pets’ diets.

Veterinary diet purchasing directly through the veterinarian is down, but that doesn’t mean pet owners aren’t spending their money on specialty formulations for their pets.

Pet supplement sales push past US$2 billion

An increased focus on pet health has pet owners looking beyond food for solutions.

The pet supplement space continues to grow as COVID has heightened pet owners’ awareness of their animals’ needs.

It’s raining kittens: Cat adoption in the spotlight

Learn about current trends in cat adoption, including a comparison to dog adoptions and a focus on kittens.

Dogs have been well-represented in pet food since pet food began, and now cats are getting some well-deserved attention.

Market prospects: Puppy adoption vs. senior dog spending

Learn about age-related trends in the dog ownership space, including the demographics of puppy adoptions versus senior dog spending.

Dog ownership is seeing shifts, with multiple potential causes merging together to highlight senior pups.

Pet Food Market

What’s next for pet food: A generational perspective

Learn about the various pet food shopping patterns found among the generational demographics, especially millennials and Gen Z.

All the generations love their pets, but they may have different priorities when it comes to feeding their beloved animal.

Page 1 of 10