An increase in the number of cats owned, coupled with a lack of ingredients and even packaging, have caused a perfect storm to disrupt cat food supplies. Not only is your problem about the wet food, but there is also a shortage of dry food. You might be one of the raging cat owners that posted on Reddit, when will cat food shortage end?. 6 Reasons Cat Snores, How to Keep Cats Off Furniture? Veterinarian and behaviorist Paola Cuevas of excitedcats.comrecommends this process: The idea, said Dr. Cuevas, is to give the cat, and his digestive system, an opportunity to gradually adapt to the new food.. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Many people have started cooking cat food at home with the right recipes. Global logistics issues have also added to the problem. It is very clumsy, and the possibility of leakage is also very high. Pet owners may have a harder time than usual searching. Sometimes the issue is caused by problems with ingredients; other times its a shortage of packaging, staffing problems in factories or problems with transportation and shipping. The COVID-19 made the whole pandemic years stressful for everyone and now there has been a cat food shortage. This has led to a shortage of dry cat food on store shelves. Many areas of the country are going through a shortage of cat food. Iowa State University professor Jonathan Phares who studies supply chains told Wifr.com (opens in new tab) that he believes that various different reasons are working together to make cat food scarce. Here are some tips: Only make your own cat food with guidance. News reports of Nestl Purina and Freshpet pet food shortages in Pennsylvania began surfacing in early February, but the problem crosses state lines, according to recent investigations. In the United States of America, all dog owners have been facing a problem of shortage of dog food since last year. I was charged almost $20 more for the same bag of food that cost me $53.00 last time I bought it. People are blaming the pandemic for the same reason. You may still be able to find dry food in your local supermarket or pet store. First, the Chinese government tightened environmental restrictions in an effort to meet carbon-emissions goals, which slowed production of aluminum. Therefore, there are several ways to ensure that your cat will still acquire the nutrients it needs to maintain its health amid the cat food shortage. What You Need to Know about the 2022 Meat Shortage. Mashed.com, Mashed, 7 Feb. 2022, https://www.mashed.com/759908/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-2022-meat-shortage/. In some cases, vets have needed to work with pet owners to shift their pets diet to another product. For about two months last fall, a shortage of the pellets for baby rabbits meant Burdick had to swap their food for adult feed. Nestl Purina Petcare, a subsidiary of Swiss food giant Nestl, announced that its Purina ONE SmartBlend line of dog food will be discontinued, and that its Purina ONE SmartBlend Performance line will be introduced. If you are considering preparing your own cat food on an ongoing basis, first consult a veterinary nutritionist. A report from the American Pet Products Association showed that from 2021 to 2022, pet. For these reasons, beverage companies love to package their products in aluminum.[2]. Other than this, there is also a need for more raw ingredients, such as meat and plant-based products used in making cat food. Carbon dioxide used to keep meat cold is more expensive. Multiple brands typically make special diets for specific conditions, and one might be available in your geographical area if the other is not. Cats with food sensitivities or allergies, urinary-tract health issues, diabetes, or other medical issues, cant be asked to make do with whatever food is available. What kind of food bowl or water dish should I buy for my cat? This has been a problem for many cat owners, who have had to go to great lengths to find the food their pets need. LOUIS, Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The pet experts at Purina are partnering with. We havent been notified anything about when it might end, Kinsley said. They can be made into special shapes, and imprinted with stylish graphics. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'discontinuednews_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-discontinuednews_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Currently, there is a need for more cat food on a global level. Not only has it been difficult for consumers to get products like lumber and biscuits, but pet owners have also been dealing with shortages of certain brands of pet food in 2022 as well as the aluminum cans and meat used for the food. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. Make sure neither contain garlic or onion, which can be harmful to cats. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes to our way of life, but kitty owners are facing a new challenge a cat food shortage. [8] But Chinese aluminum production has been down. This has caused many cat owners to worry about how they will feed their cats. Even some of our volunteers that have donated in the past, some used to bring like two cases, and (they say) now I can only bring one.?. As a result, many cat food manufacturers shut down their production permanently. Beyond supply issues, Brooks said, demand for pet food has jumped during the pandemic due to the increase in pet adoptions. Manufacturers of pet food are reporting shortages of chicken by-product meal, the primary ingredient used in many pet foods. The US Pet Food Institute (opens in new tab) highlighted the problem to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a letter written back in June 2021 (opens in new tab), but the changes in the food supply chain caused by the pandemic is still causing problems. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Zak, who noted her cats only eat canned food, said she only recently noticed the shortage. But its not a long-term solution. It may not feel like it right now, but things are going to get better for pet food manufacturers in the long run. If you're looking for the most amazing FRESH SEAFOOD with amazing prices, this little market is the place for you. New York, Founded by a pet lover, we only carry all-natural and high-quality dog and cat foods. The truck driver shortage means that goods are taking longer to get from factories to stores. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are required to eat only meat. The increase in the number of cat adoptions has also affected the cat food shortage. Finally, because of the tariffs imposed prior to the pandemic, pet food prices increased. As a result, the raw materials required to produce cat food are unavailable in the required quantity. Nestle, which owns Nestle Purina Petcare, the maker of cat food brand Fancy Feast, said in its 2021 annual report that pet food was a driver of its market share gains across the world. We just dont know when the shortage is coming or going. Suppliers must be able to keep up with the demands causing a shortage. In the production of pet food, a high-quality protein called by-product is used. How Many Claws Do Cats Have? Furthermore, there is a shortage of aluminum cans, which are essential for making pet food. Government of Canada. Natural Resources Canada, / Gouvernement Du Canada, 22 Feb. 2022, https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/minerals-metals-facts/aluminum-facts/20510. Meat packing can be a physically demanding, but low-paying occupation and meat-packing companies are having a hard time recruiting enough staff. Do this for three days. Nestl Purinas reputation as a poor pet food brand has only gotten worse since it was purchased by Ralston Purina. Raw or processed? Why Does My Cat Bite My Nose? Due to the increased cost of manufacturing meat, the meat price also has risen. As a result, many people cannot buy even one pack of cat food for their cats. People panic shopping and are holding up things at their homes, fearing everything getting out of stock. Dunbar said that typically some cats need the canned food for dental reasons, and are not able to eat certain dry foods because of digestive issues. With over 50 brands to choose from, you will certainly find what your pet likes here. This leads to slower manufacture of said product. As a cat owner, you might be feeling a little stressed due to the cat food shortage in various places in the US. We regret to inform you that Purina Friskies brand cat food is no longer available in 13-ounce cans. Online pet food retailer Chewy announced 24% growth in net sales for fiscal year 2021 compared with 2020, which in turn followed 47% growth in 2020 over the prior year. The world is already aware of the aluminum shortage. Do this for two days in a row. News, Yahoo!, https://news.yahoo.com/china-floods-dramatic-video-shows-082346617.html. Its scary to walk into your local pet store, the one you can always count on to carry your cats food, and find your kittys favorite minced fish and shrimp entre completely out of stock. This news comes as a surprise to many cat owners who have come to rely on Friskies as a staple in their pet's diet. Manufacturers attribute the shortages to a manufacturing shutdown caused by pandemics and an increase in pet adoption. The pandemic has caused meat prices to go up and other-ingredient availability to go down for these and other reasons: Everything used to produce meat is more expensive. Is Pops Cereal discontinued in 2023 What This dont exist anymore? During the coronavirus, a lot of production units had to shut down. And she might not even notice that shes no longer eating the only type she professed shed eat. Now that aluminum is unavailable in the required quantity, it has become difficult to keep wet cat food. Brooks isnt concerned about the overall volume of pet food supply in the U.S. but acknowledged there may be fewer options on shelves than there once were. The main advantage of dry food during this cat-food shortage, is that it comes in bags, not aluminum cans. Aluminum is cheap to make and transport. Most meat used in cat food is off-cuts from human food. Discontinued News All rights reserved. You just also need to make sure that your cat is getting enough water and is hydrated all the time because dry food does not provide any hydration. (Is there a REASON mayonnaise is suddenly $7 a jar?). Cat owners felt even more frustrated about what was going on and asked, why is there a cat food shortage?. The labor shortage situation in the U.S. has meant that companies are struggling to run the plants at full capacity. The shelves are almost bare. There are a variety of reasons why Purina might be sold out everywhere. Her blog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians better understand and care for the special beings they share their lives and homes with. Even if most of the ingredients in your cats food are sourced in the U.S., certain ingredients, like the vitamins and minerals that are added to pet food, are only made in other countries, especially China. are they going out of business? Many pet owners have learned the hard way that their pets will tolerate only a specific brand or type of food. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Mike McCutcheon of H3 Pet Supply, a pet supply store in Stratford, attributes the shortages to ongoing pandemic-related supply chain issues that are exacerbated by businesses being "short on help." "The manufacturers of pet food are hurting with products and supplies," McCutcheon said. Can You Save Your Cat? -Look for alternative brands of cat food that your pet may like. Here are some tips: -Try to buy in bulk when Purina cat food is available. Be careful not to rely too heavily on canned tuna, however, because it is high in mercury. Keep water bowls far away from your cats food and, Consider using ceramic or steel bowls, which cats prefer, instead of plastic. Youve searched all over your city for your cats favorite food and you finally, finally find a stash at one store. It's small, unassuming, and nestled in the corner of a long shopping plaza. Purina Pro Plan brand dog food specialized adult large breeds chicken products have been temporarily halted due to the current situation. Dogs and humans, by contrast, are omnivores, meaning we can eat all kinds of foods, so we can be more flexible. (Read more about bowl types in this post, . "I'm in Weis right now, and I just got some cat food; they have a little more than ShopRite (right now)." Here Are the Main Reasons There Is a Cat Food Shortage. WKRC, WKRC, 1 Apr. At different times during the pandemic, Barbara Burdick, owner of Cuddle Bunny in Lakeview East, dealt with shortages both of the pellets used to feed baby rabbits and the hay that adult rabbits eat. Cat owners will have to look for substitutes that they can easily find. Take one chunk of the old food out, and replace it with one chunk of the new food. The shortage has been disheartening, said Dana Dunbar, shelter manager at Carbon County Friends of Animals in Jim Thorpe. One brand that used to sell pet food in 5- and 15-pound bags cut their product to 4 and 12 pounds while keeping the price the same, Lane said. Between humans and animals, priority is always given to humans. In July 2021 and April 2022, pet food factory incidents also played a role and further hindered aluminum production exports, and the Chinese government enforced rules to improve carbon emissions issues. As a result, all meat suppliers prioritize the human-based food industry before the animal-based food industry. Also, many cat food manufacturers have quit the industry due to the Coronavirus pandemic. There are few cat-food brands left, and few flavors and formulations. November 16, 2022 by Alexa The world is in the midst of a cat food shortage, and there is no end in sight. This will help you to stockpile enough food to last your cat until the shortage ends. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). The scarcity meant the cost of meat increased too by 6.3% for meat supplies in 2021. Purina ONE is one of their brands that has had two recalls for products that pose a health risk to pets. How to keep your cat food fresh, Three home remedies for dog allergies (and they're all pretty simple), Improve communication with your dog and master the 'stay' command with one simple tip from a canine trainer, Can dogs be allergic to grass? As far as the demand being up for cat food, I dont know if thats necessarily true; its not like the United States has more cats today than it did a year ago, he said. This shortage of meat, which is the most important ingredient in cat food, causes a cat food shortage. A dog enjoys a walk along the lakefront at Museum Campus in front of a foggy Chicago skyline on April 3, 2022. How Long Will the Pet Food Shortage Last? Purina Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food is a premium cat food from a company well known for making high-quality food across all of their lines. How to Keep Your Cat Well-fed During the Cat-food Shortage? December 13, 2022 by Alexa. Offer multiple drinking stations, especially in multi-cat households, so a cat can feel comfortable quenching her thirst without getting ambushed. Due to aluminum shortages and shipping issues, there is an abundance of canned food available on the market. Due to the low number of suppliers, there was increased pressure on the existing suppliers. This is especially important if you are feeding them dry food, as it will help to keep them hydrated. I cant speak to any companys pricing strategies, and we may find out later, when historians look back, about any possible price gouging that occurred during this strange time in history. Some of the major reasons include the shortage of aluminum, preventing all manufacturers from selling dry cat food in cans. Do you choose completely dry or damp ? Cat Food Supply Shortage: Why Can't You Find Food for Your Kitties. KIRO 7 News Seattle, KIRO 7 News Seattle, 1 Apr. 10/9/2022. This is due to a number of factors, including a decrease in the supply of certain ingredients and an increase in demand. Purina ONE SmartBlend has no plans to stop producing it. However, the fast spread of the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus played a dampener. Join our newsletter to get cat-tastic news and fun cat things. Meanwhile, Petco reported 18% growth in net sales in 2021 following 11% growth in 2020. Morgan and Lane both said theyd experienced distributors not just raising prices but also cutting quantities. Plomin said the prescription foods eaten by animals with specific medical needs have also been faced with supply chain challenges. ET There have been intermittent reports of shortages of several food. 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