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Pet Food Producer Prices Reached Record in August 2026

The Producer Price Index for dog and cat food climbed to a new peak as cumulative costs for pet owners continued to rise.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Inflation

Isometric editorial illustration of a metal industrial storage silo in a factory, representing the pet food production supply chain.
The Producer Price Index for pet food hit a record high in August 2026, driven by persistent manufacturing costs for wet and canned varieties. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In August 2026, the Producer Price Index for dog and cat food reached record levels across the United States. This growth was driven by consistent increases in the cost of canned and wet pet food varieties.

Why it matters

Rising producer costs often reflect long-term inflationary pressures within the pet supply chain that have compounded over several years. Since 2019, cumulative prices for cat and dog food have seen significant double-digit percentage increases.

Cumulative prices for cat food and dog food rose 39.3% and 32.3% respectively since 2019. Meanwhile, the Other Pet Food Producer Price Index increased 1.1% over 2025 levels.

The players

Bureau of Labor Statistics

This federal agency is the principal fact-finding body for the U.S. government in the field of labor economics and statistics.

The details

The recent index records follow a period where canned and wet pet food prices consistently drove production costs higher, a trend observed since August 2024. While retail pet food prices fell in August 2026, they had previously hit a separate record high during July 2026.

Timeline

  1. Cumulative pet food price increases began in 2019.

  2. Canned and wet food began driving PPI increases in August 2024.

  3. The Producer Price Index rose 1.0% in January 2026.

  4. Retail pet food prices reached a record in July 2026.

  5. The Producer Price Index hit a record level in August 2026.

Macro View

This report updates the figure previously established by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index longitudinal tracking. The current data illustrates a pattern of sustained cost increases that mirrors historical inflationary cycles in the pet food manufacturing sector.

Pet owners may experience these persistent producer-level costs as higher prices at the grocery store or pet retailer. These cumulative increases have significantly outpaced general inflation rates since 2019, directly impacting monthly household pet care budgets.

The takeaway

Pet food inflation has significantly altered the cost of ownership, with prices for common goods rising by over 30% since 2019. Consumers should track store-brand alternatives or bulk purchasing options to mitigate the impact of these ongoing price trends.

Further reading

For broader economic context, visit the Inflation section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.

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Are pet food costs getting more expensive for your household compared to last year?