(WWJ) A pet food shortage is sweeping across metro Detroit and the nation.
A tipster told WWJ she was shopping for cat food at a local Meijer—and found the shelves nearly empty. She encountered the same picked-over shelves at PetSmart and Kroger, she said.
A tug of war between supply and demand is to blame, experts said.
Pet ownership boomed during the pandemic as Americans turned to a new furry friend for comfort. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports pet ownership increased over 3% since 2019, going from 67% of households having a pet to 70% by the end of 2020. The APPA said some 12 million Americans acquired a new cat or dog in that time.
Simultaneously, the prices have shot up for ingredients and packaging materials. The cost of corn and soybeans, key ingredients in many pet foods, has reached an eight-year high. Market Insider reports corn prices rose 2.5% in May to more than $7 a bushel.
Aluminum, a necessity for packaging the pet food, is also at a shortage. Bloomberg reports its going for $2,500 per ton on the London Metal Stock Exchange—with prices expected to reach $3,000 per ton by next year.
Bottom line, all these factors mean your cats and dogs may have to expand their horizons and their taste buds.
However, vets say switching your pet’s food too abruptly may cause stomach problems.
According to the American Kennel Club, cats and dogs should transition in stages.
Day 1: 25% new diet and 75% old diet.
Day 3: 50% new diet and 50% old diet.
Day 5: 75% new diet and 25% old diet.
Day 7: 100% new diet.
The American Kennel Club said some pets, especially those with sensitive stomachs, may need even more time to adjust.
Amid a shortage, you may want to go to the pet store before your shelves run bare so you can make a gradual introduction to the new food.
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