Due to supply chain issues, pet owners are having difficulty finding pet food.
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As complaints of pet food shortages pour in from around the country, the supply chain problem hits once more, this time affecting the fuzzy critters that have helped keep many people calm during the pandemic.
The supply of pet food is being harmed as firms face labor and material constraints, as well as logistical challenges. This comes at a time when pet ownership in the United States is at an all-time high.
According to the American Pet Products Association, pet ownership will reach about 70% in 2021, and a poll found that 35% of pet owners had spent more on their pets and pet supplies, including food, in the previous year.
This is now evident in grocery shops, with The Wall Street Journal noting that pet food sales increased over 7% in the 52 weeks ended Nov. 27, compared to 2.3 percent for all food.
Many stores are also unable to get suitable substitutes, leaving pet food shelves bare. According to the Wall Street Journal, J.M. Smuckers Co. informed its dealers in November that shipments of several of its pet-food items would be limited until January 2023. Wet food, which often requires imported ingredients, has supply chain issues, according to the business.
Many pets require prescription food or have dietary restrictions, thus this is a major concern for pet owners. When pets are forced to eat a different brand or flavor of food than they are used to, physical responses might occur.
