Pet food enjoyed a strong year in 2021 and can expect more positive signs in 2022, despite continued challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Pet food experts say there is no such thing as mitigating mycotoxins once they are present in ingredients or pet foods, so testing is the only defense.

The ongoing strength of the pet food market has contributed to a record number of pet food mergers and acquisitions worldwide, which may continue in 2022.

Dry dog and cat food still has very high usage, but rates and sales for wet pet food are rising, and wet cat food and treats are seeing healthy growth.

Pet food e-commerce will account for 55% of total U.S. pet food sales by 2025, following a jump from 32% in 2020 to 37% by end of 2021, says Packaged Facts.

Though COVID-19 delayed or eliminated some official pet obesity surveys, less scientific ones have shown U.S. dogs and cats continuing to gain weight.

Pet food supply chain disruptions may be here for a while, with companies’ rising costs being passed on to pet owners and possibly curtailing future growth.

Innova Market Insights named ‘shared planet’ as its top human food trend for 2022 and linked it to other trends that are playing out in pet food, too.

Consumers are seeking more plant-based foods for themselves and for their pets, but further research is needed on these as pet food ingredients.

U.S. pet owners increased their pet food spending 18% in 2020, while retail sales for pet food rose not just in the U.S. but also in many markets worldwide.