With 66% of US households having at least one pet, it’s clear how much Americans love owning pets and caring for them.

So, when it comes to their food, they are not willing to adjust their spending to inflation. 

And that’s one BIG reason why "pet food and treats" turned out to be the highest spending category in 2022.

Not just this, but the industry statistics also reveal how resilient the US pet food market is to inflationary pressures. It is expected to grow from $45.11 billion in 2022 to $62.41 billion by 2028. 

Wondering what this all means for retail & wholesale businesses?

A GREAT opportunity to generate gross profit margins as high as 43.6%.

With this in mind, you can make a lot of money by positioning your business as a go-to place for anyone planning to buy pet food in bulk.

This all comes down to choosing the right pet food distributor.

And for that, you don’t have to waste dozens of hours on research.

Through online directories, you can find a list of wholesale distributors that carry products from renowned pet brands.

From dry kibble to wet food, raw to freeze-dried, and organic to specialized formulas, you can source whatever you want from the distributors listed here. 

3 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pet Food Distributor

1. Quality: With more and more pet owners prioritizing the dietary needs of their pets, it’s crucial to look for the quality of the product being offered.
   
   See what ingredients have been used & how balanced the nutritional profile is.
   
   Also, look for any claims or certifications like AAFCO labeling to ensure that the pet food you intend to buy meets specific nutritional guidelines.
   
   
2. Shelf life: Make sure the distributor you choose has products with longer shelf lives. This means two things: 
   
   i) You’ll have sufficient time to sell the products before they expire.
   ii) Your customers will feel confident in their purchase and there will be fewer product returns.
   
   
3. Variety: It’s good to partner up with a distributor that offers a variety of pet food options so that you can cater to different dietary requirements and preferences. 

This includes options for different pet species (dog, cat, birds, etc.), life stages (puppy, kitten, adult, etc.), and specialized diets for weight management, allergies, food insensitivities, etc. 

What’s the Hottest Trend in the Pet Food Industry?

(Embrace it or risk being left behind…)

Knowing that the US makes the most money from pet food isn’t enough. What’s more important to know is the latest trend in the industry so that you can capitalize on it.

Here’s what’s HOT in the market: Natural & Organic Pet Food (Premiumization trend)

As humans increasingly consume organic food, they also expect the same dietary standards for their pets.

That’s what is increasing the demand for premium pet food products (a CAGR of 6.7% expected from 2023 to 2032).  

So, what is it about these products that customers are willing to pay even a higher price? 

It’s the natural and organic ingredients as well as high protein sources in them that offer numerous benefits to the pets such as improved digestion, healthy joints, etc. 

Here are some key market insights you can benefit from:

• By region: North America dominates the organic pet food market in terms of revenue.
  
  
• By food type: Dry food/kibble remains the most common type of organic pet food purchased followed by wet/canned food and treats/snacks
  
  
• By pet type: Dogs are the most common pets fed with organic food, followed by cats.
  
  

So, by offering premium products, you can attract customers who prioritize their pets’ health and well-being more than their own.