Cat Food Sales Outpace Dog Food in September 2026
Pet food sales data from September 2026 show cat-specific products growing significantly faster than dog options.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Pets — General
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Across tracked U.S. retailers in September 2026, cat food sales increased 11% year over year, notably outpacing the 3% growth seen in dog food sales. This divergence in consumer spending highlights a shift in pet care purchasing trends across major retail chains.
Why it matters
The data underscores a change in pet owner behavior, as categories like fish and seafood protein cat food saw particularly strong performance. Monitoring these growth metrics provides insight into evolving household priorities regarding pet nutrition and brand preferences.
Cat food sales rose 11% year-over-year, while dog food sales grew by 3%. Products containing fish and seafood proteins led the cat food category with 17% growth for the month of September.
The players
Costco
Costco is a wholesale warehouse club operator that saw specific spikes in both cat and dog food sales during the reporting period.
Walmart
Walmart is a major multinational retail corporation that served as one of the 15 retailers tracked for pet food sales metrics.
Kirkland Signature
Kirkland Signature is the private-label brand owned by Costco that achieved significant growth in fresh and frozen dog food rankings.
Fancy Feast
Fancy Feast is a prominent pet food brand that saw its specific Gems product line perform well at warehouse retail locations.
The details
Kirkland Signature saw a significant rise in the fresh and frozen dog food market, moving from the 51st position to 4th in gross merchandise value rankings. Meanwhile, Fancy Feast Gems carved out a niche at Costco, generating between $300,000 and $500,000 in monthly GMV.
Timeline
September 2026 served as the core period for recorded sales growth.
September 2025 provided the comparison data for brand rankings.
January through September 2025 acted as the base period for year-to-date figures.
Culture Shift
This trend highlights the ongoing evolution in pet care spending as owners increasingly prioritize premium and protein-specific options for their animals. The shift reflects a broader pattern where pet food purchases are mirroring human dietary trends toward specialized health-focused ingredients.
Consumers may notice fluctuating shelf availability and changing promotional displays for specific premium cat and dog food brands. These market shifts can directly influence the cost and variety of options available during routine grocery or warehouse shopping trips.
The takeaway
Pet owners should consider monitoring the price trends of specialized proteins like seafood as these items experience increased market demand. Comparing private-label options against premium brands remains an effective strategy for managing monthly pet care budgets.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, visit the Pets — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.
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