The cost of dog and cat food has soared by almost 60% in supermarkets in the past year.
One of the biggest increases was seen in Nestle’s Go-Cat Adult Chicken & Duck 750g, which has climbed 57.5% – £2 to £3.15 – in Asda.
Own-label cat food pouches have jumped 38% in price on average. Asda, Morrisons and Tesco have seen the steepest rises, from £2.80 to £3.90.
Own-label dry dog food has increased 14.7% on average. The fastest-rising prices were in Aldi and Lidl, up 27% from £2.59 to £3.29, research by trade magazine The Grocer found.
A survey by the RSPCA found 23% of pet owners were worried about feeding their animals amid the cost of living crisis.
Nestle said higher prices were a last resort to managing soaring input costs caused by inflation. Mars Petcare said the supplier would “always offer our high-quality pet food at the best possible value for money”.
Tesco said it was focused on value, while Morrisons said it was working hard to keep prices down.
Pet owners are also cutting back on vet visits – More Than found 56% would rather diagnose their pet’s illness online than shell out.
