Pet Care Trends: Wet Food, Smart Feeders, and Private Labels Dominate the Industry

In the past 48 hours, the pet care industry shows steady growth amid premiumization and supply chain pressures, with no major disruptions but ongoing tariff concerns and innovation pushes. Wet pet food sales hit US$25.3 billion in 2024, projected to grow at 4.7% CAGR to US$42 billion by 2035, driven by cat segments expecting the fastest rise due to moisture needs and humanization trends[2][11]. Automatic pet feeders are booming, with the market at US$572.4 million in 2024, forecasted to reach US$1,018.4 million by 2031 at 8.5% CAGR, fueled by urban pet ownership and smart tech integration[1]. Private-label pet food gained traction, valued at $49.5 billion in 2025 and eyeing $126.4 billion by 2035, outpacing national brands with 5.8% dollar sales growth in 2024[3]. Key moves include Scoochie Pet lowering MOQs for custom dog and cat food, easing entry for smaller brands, and Just Food For Dogs partnering to enter 900 PetSmart stores with fresh wet options[2][3]. Supply chain strains persist from Section 301 tariffs, prompting Costco's refund lawsuit and smaller importers seeking extensions or group actions, echoing higher costs versus last quarter's reports[4]. Consumer shifts favor natural ingredients like turkey tail mushrooms for dogs and sustainable packaging, with e-commerce surging as the top channel[2][9]. Leaders respond via premium features: AI feeders, functional nutrition, and telehealth to counter inflation at 3.1%[1][2][12]. Compared to prior weeks, growth holds firm without the vitamin shortages flagged earlier, but tariff risks loom larger than in fall 2025 updates. Veterinary care edges to US$23.14 billion in 2025, up from 2024[5]. Overall, resilience defines the sector, prioritizing health tech over volume. (298 words) For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/44ci4hQ This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.