It looks like the United States is headed towards empty shelves and higher prices. This is due to the tariffs affecting shipments from other countries. Rising shipping costs make the problem even worse. A lot of things humans take for granted when they shop will either be hard to get or cost way more than before. Things like clothes, electronics, and even some medications. And some food that is imported from other countries, like seafood, coffee, cheese, fruits, nuts and even candy bars will be affected.
All this is worrisome…but what’s even more concerning for people with cats (not to mention their cats) is cat food. Especially those (like my human) who focus on feeding high quality novel proteins such as venison, lamb and rabbit. Will cat food with these ingredients become difficult to find? And what can you do about it?
Why Cat Food May Go Missing
This isn’t the first time the cat food supply chain has been disrupted. But this time we do have some warning about what’s to come because the scope of this issue affects almost everything humans buy. But first let’s look at what issues we’re dealing with.
It’s Not Just the Food Itself, but the Containers
There’s already a shortage of aluminum and BPA free lining going on, so that is going to have an impact. Although it’s a pre-tariff issue, it may become even worse over the next few months. This affects canned cat food — in fact, all canned food in general.
Any delays in packaging and shipping will affect availability of your cat food, and that could affect many brands.
Novel Proteins and Boutique Brands Will Be Hit First
Unfortunately, this is basically my diet right now! My human has opted out of poultry temporarily because of the H5N1 bird flu. Although cooked, canned food minimizes the risk, she feels that pausing these proteins makes me even safer. She has been giving me novel proteins, often from countries like New Zealand, where she feels there are stronger regulations around my food. And she often buys smaller brands, the kind you find at places like the small, local pet shops we visit so often.
The problem here is that these types of food — venison, lamb, and rabbit — are the first to be affected by tariffs and supply chain issues. Boutique brands may struggle the most. My human has already seen some of my food jump in price. And while it’s still available now, we could see shortages in just a few weeks.
Are You Sure Your Cat Food Is Really Made in the US?
Even if you buy cat food from American brands, your cat’s favorite flavors may be at risk. Although the food is manufactured in the US, the ingredients may be imported. This is more common than you may think.
The Big Brands Are Lower Risk, But Not Immune
Yes, the huge brands that make the cat food you see on the shelves at grocery stores and nationwide chains have more diversified supply chains. But they’re not infallible. Even Purina has had supply chain interruptions occasionally. And they’re more likely to happen over the next few months.
How to Prepare
Don’t worry about your cat running out of food — be prepared instead. Stock up and be aware of what’s going on with the brands you feed your cats.
Keeping Track of Your Cat’s Favorite Brands
Visit the brand websites frequently to see if they have any news about shortages or delays. Often they will post about any difficulties they are having. Also talk with your local pet food retailers about how things are going. Find out if they are having difficulty getting some brands, or if they foresee problems in the near future. The more info you can gather, the better you will be able to prepare.
For Cats With Novel and High Quality Diets
For cats like me that eat the expensive stuff from smaller brands, think about starting to stock up now. Can you afford at least 2–3 months of the good stuff? If you can, get it. The novel and exotic foods are harder to source to begin with, and if they become too difficult to get, the brand may have to drop certain foods. Most canned cat food has an expiration that’s a couple of years in the future, but always check the date on the cans.
For Cats With Non-Novel Canned Diets
Find out if the cat food you buy is from imported sources, if you can. If it is, definitely stock up. Stock up if you aren’t sure. And don’t forget — it’s not just the food itself, but the cans that may undergo a shortage. Plus the higher shipping costs will increase prices. So it’s best to buy now if you can.
What If You Cat Eats All-American?
If your cat eats food that is U.S. made and comes from a big brand, you are less likely to suffer the severe shortages internationally sourced food may have. But you’re not 100% safe. Supply chain shortages could still happen. Keep your eye on that, and stock up accordingly.
What If a Shortage Happens?
If you think your cat’s favorite food may go missing from the shelves, think about the different options. For those who eat novel proteins, you may have options, depending on why your cat’s on this diet. If it’s allergies, see if there is other more widely available food that contains ingredients that are safe for your cat. If like me, your cat is just getting the highest quality food available, think about which other brands may still be acceptable on a temporary basis that may be easier to get.
Cats that eat kibble will have the least problems getting food if there’s a shortage, but it’s often significantly lower in quality than canned. There are exceptions, so do your research and make your choices wisely.
A Few Words of Cat Wisdom
You don’t have to horde cat food. Just be sensible. My human has been concerned about the scarcity of some of her favorite things (and mine) for a while. So she has just increased her purchases of certain items over time. That way she doesn’t empty the store’s shelves, along with her pocketbook.
And remember, this is all temporary. If supplies go south, it may seem like it’ll go on forever and never end. But it will. We got through the pandemic, and it made lots of humans smarter and more resourceful. If you prepare ahead of time and consider your options, it still may not be fun, but you’ll make it through without a completely empty cupboard.
