Will high pet treat sales growth soon come down to earth?

Pet treats are popular but also a discretionary expense, and in inflationary times, some pet owners may reduce their spending in the category.

Debbie Phillips-Donaldson

August 14, 2024

Higher pet treat prices may be driving some pet owners to cut back on their spending, leading to falling sales growth.

Higher pet treat prices may be driving some pet owners to cut back on their spending, leading to falling sales growth.

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Pet treats have been one of the fastest-growing categories for several years. In 2023, U.S. sales of dog and cat treats rose more than 10% both online and in stores, according to NielsenIQ. That was on top of double-digit growth in 2022, helping U.S. pet treat sales reach US$11 billion, per Packaged Facts.

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Branding connects otherwise faceless suppliers to pet owners

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What do pet owners seek in pet food packaging?

Communication, freshness, convenience and sustainability rank among packaging priorities for pet food, along with broader trends resonating with all consumers.

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Learn how emerging trends are influencing purchasing decisions and shaping the future of premium pet food.

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FDA’s evolving role in pet food regulations and safety

Proposed new U.S. pet food legislation, plus the return of an FDA-generated controversy, highlight the agency’s significant role, for better or worse.

New pet food labels may not be the only regulatory change coming to the U.S. pet food market.

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Raw pet food adoption: What does the future hold?

Pet owners in North America and Europe are increasingly feeding raw and other ‘alternative’ pet foods, especially younger owners, but do barriers remain?

Pet owners are increasingly feeding raw and other alternative pet food formats.

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Caution ahead: Pet food pricing pressures continue in 2024

Pet food producers are still facing higher costs, leading to higher retail prices, while pet owners want premium products but are spending more thoughtfully.

Higher prices for pet food materials mean higher retail prices, creating a still uncertain situation for the pet food market in 2024.

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Joining pet owners on the path to pet food sustainability

Consumers embrace sustainability at varying levels, so you have to understand where your target consumer is, then navigate the complex sustainability journey.

Pet food and treat companies can help pet owners seek and embrace sustainability, but producing “green” products can be quite complex.

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Why cats are a growth category for pet food

Rising urbanization is leading to increased cat ownership and, following on, higher cat food sales growth, presenting opportunities for pet food companies.

Higher cat ownership means higher growth rates for cat food and treat sales.

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The ongoing strength and growth of pet food omnichannel

Omnichannel shopping — buying pet food both in physical stores and online — really took off during the pandemic and is still a popular choice for pet owners.

Omnichannel pet food shopping became more popular during the pandemic and is still preferred by many pet owners.

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Pet food premiumization: Too much of a good thing?

The pet food market has continually moved to premium and superpremium, helping drive growth, but has it reached its limits for long-term market health?

A focus on the affluent may have its limits when it comes to pet food product development and retail strategies.

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What pet food manufacturing contributes to the U.S. economy

U.S. pet food manufacturers directly contribute billions of dollars in added value, labor income and output to the economy, along with thousands of jobs.

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How functional pet food’s consumer appeal ties to buying

Many pet owners show awareness of the importance of pet nutrition to health and wellness, yet only half are willing to pay more for functional benefits.

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The largest pet food companies globally keep growing due to acquisitions, product launches, expanded distribution and inflation, guiding the industry’s growth.

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