Veterinary pet food diet trends: Evolving to meet expanded needs

Pet owners are more conscious of their pets’ health than ever, which means they’re heading toward science-backed and veterinarian-approved foods for their animals.

July 8, 2025

Smiling veterinarian in blue scrubs hugging a happy golden retriever

Veterinary Rx and over-the-counter vet-approved pet foods continue to grow in scope and availability as pet owners look to the long-term health of their pets.

AI-generated image by TyliJura | Pixabay.com

The COVID-19 pandemic did a number on the way we look at human health and, by extension, pet health.

“Pet owner concern about their pets’ health and wellness is by no means a new development, but the COVID pandemic, along with the accompanying stay-at-home mandates, brought pets and owners closer together than ever before,” said Packaged Facts in the executive summary of its report Pet Health and Wellness: U.S. Pet Market Trends and Opportunities. “Worried about their own health, pet owners also turned their attention to their pets, and that attention hasn’t diminished as the daily impacts of the pandemic have subsided.”

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