Economic pressures hamper pet food sales growth

The ongoing complex global economic situation is wearing on pet owners and their bank accounts.

June 10, 2026

As economic instability spreads across multiple fronts globally, pet owners — and by extension, the pet industry — are feeling the strain.

As economic instability spreads across multiple fronts globally, pet owners — and by extension, the pet industry — are feeling the strain.

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Factoring in challenging macroeconomic and dog population trends, but also some signs of improvement in inflation, Packaged Facts projects retail sales of pet food and treats to rise 2.1% to US$70.45 billion in 2026. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% is projected over the upcoming 2025–2030 period, thereby bringing sales to US$80.67 billion in 2030.

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Hydration Trends

Hydration trends in the pet food market

Pet owners may microwave their pets’ food without understanding the potential downsides or how to do it properly at all.

Heating pet foods via consumer microwaves

Making the pet food/pet health connection: Recent trends

Pet owners are turning to pet food to boost their pets’ health and wellness.

Two forces are driving pet food market trends: economic pressure and pet owners’ desire to provide what they perceive as the 'best' nutrition — less processed, more natural options.

The macro context for pet population growth

With U.S. population growth slowed and consumer debt rising, pet ownership is undergoing a shift.

Pet population growth depends on the health of the human population’s economy.

Dog population and housing affordability

Dog ownership is strongly linked to the ability to own a home.

Dog ownership is strongly linked to home ownership and renters’ ability to find pet-friendly housing.

Unusual pet adoption patterns surface, driven by affordability

Gen Z adults and lower-income households show disproportionately high intent to adopt pets in the next six months.

Pet adoption rates are becoming more nuanced among various demographics, including generation and income levels.

Pet food private label and fresh food trends

Cost consciousness, brand loyalty among factors in fresh pet food growth compared to private label sales.

Cats Eating Fresh Outside Rotbart94 Pixabay

Update: Pet food channel shopping patterns, buyer demographics

Pet food owners continue to bring complexity to shopping patterns among multiple demographic considerations.

Pet food shoppers span diverse backgrounds yet share largely the same priorities. Where they choose to fulfill those needs, however, varies considerably, continuing to drive the industry’s omnichannel focus.

Projecting the Hispanic homeowner role in dog population growth

A recent report looks at the present (2025) and the future (2035).

Bigstock Beautiful Young Woman Kissing 437750549

Competitive landscape favors corporate kingpins

The convergence of evolving e-commerce strategies, omnichannel shopping trends and consumer demand for comprehensive solutions presents significant growth opportunities for larger companies.

Pet owner spending has broadened across physical and digital retail channels among all types of pet products and services.

The veterinary profession and pet food

Traditionally, veterinarians have not been provided with nutritional education that matches pet owner expectations.

Veterinarians must be provided with nutritional education that matches pet owners’ unique needs with regards to their animals’ health and wellness.

Targeted premiumization strategies in pet foods

From fresh pet food to personalization, the various avenues in the premium pet food space continue to expand.

Fresh pet food growth is one of the ways the premium pet food market is expanding its reach as more pet owners look to optimize their animals’ eating habits.

Rising pet food, veterinary costs top challenges to pet ownership

Consistent price increases in pet care over the last several years are taking a toll on the stability of pet ownership.

Pet owners are feeling the costs of pet ownership more now than ever, as prices for everything continue to increase.

Pet food shopper psychographics: A generational perspective

Everyone is concerned about rising prices, but how loyal are the various generations to current pet food trends?

Pet Owner Generations

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