Pedigree dog food has long been a popular choice for pet owners thanks to its affordable prices and wide availability. However, in recent months, many retailers have been experiencing shortages of Pedigree dry and wet dog food products.
This article will provide an overview of Pedigree and examine the reasons behind the current dog food shortage. It will also look at how long the shortage may last and the potential impact on pet owners and retailers.
Pedigree Overview and History
Pedigree is one of the most well-known dog food brands in the United States and around the world. The company was founded in England in 1956 and expanded to the US market in 1968. Pedigree offers a wide variety of dry and wet dog foods, including kibble, canned food, and pouches. The brand markets itself as an affordable, meat-based dog food that provides complete and balanced nutrition.Â
Over the decades, Pedigree has become one of the top-selling dog food brands globally. It offers product lines for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. Pedigree’s affordable pricing and mass market distribution have helped make it popular, especially among budget-conscious pet owners. However, the brand has also faced some controversies over its ingredients and recalls.
Is there are Pedigree Dog Food Shortage?
In recent months, widespread shortages of Pedigree dog food have been reported across the United States. Both Pedigree dry kibble formulas and canned/pouched wet foods have been in short supply at major retailers. The shortages have affected stores like Walmart, Target, PetSmart and Petco, as well as online retailers like Chewy and Amazon.
Based on various reports, the Pedigree dog food shortages appear to be more significant in certain regions, including the Midwest, South, and West Coast. However, many retailers nationwide have been experiencing low or empty shelves when it comes to Pedigree products. The shortages have impacted both in-store and online inventory.
Reasons of Dog Food Shortage
There are several contributing factors as to why Pedigree dog food is seeing such constrained supplies right now. Here are some of the main reasons behind the shortages:
Increase in Demand
As millions of families adopted dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for dog food surged dramatically. Pedigree, as one of the most popular brands, saw its sales jump. The spike in demand left manufacturing and inventory struggling to keep up.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Like many industries, dog food has been impacted by global supply chain issues. Shortages of raw ingredients, packaging materials, labor shortages and transportation bottlenecks have disrupted Pedigree’s supplies.
Ingredient Sourcing Challenges
Pedigree sources many of its meat and grain ingredients from China. Ongoing COVID shutdowns and restrictive policies in China have made it difficult for Pedigree to obtain enough ingredients.
Manufacturing Issues
Pedigree’s manufacturing partners have been dealing with labor shortages, production delays and transportation problems. This has slowed down the pace of manufacturing and limited inventory.
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How Long Will Be This Shortage?
Pedigree’s parent company, Mars Petcare, has acknowledged the shortages and states that the company is working urgently to ramp up supplies. However, Mars has not provided specifics on when Pedigree inventory levels may return to normal across retail channels.
Industry experts predict the dog food shortages could persist through the end of 2022 based on all the supply chain and demand pressures. However, the situation should gradually improve as manufacturers increase capacity. Pet owners should be prepared for the possibility of ongoing low stock of Pedigree products.
Impact on Pet Owners and Retailers
The shortage of Pedigree dog food has had a significant impact on both pet owners and retailers. For owners, it has led to difficulty finding their dog’s normal Pedigree product lines in stores and online. Some have had to switch formulas or brands. Retailers have lost sales due to empty shelves, especially with Pedigree being such a popular brand.
Pet specialty stores and large retailers have been working to restock when inventory allows. However, the inconsistent supplies have made keeping shelves full a challenge. Retailers are also dealing with frustrated customers unable to find Pedigree foods they want for their dogs.
Has Pedigree Ever Been Recalled?
Pedigree has faced some controversies and recalls over its decades as a major dog food brand. In 2014, the company had a major recall of multiple dry dog food recipes due to possible plastic pieces contaminating the food. This impacted about 70 products.
Prior to that, from 2012-2014, Pedigree was associated with several smaller recalls primarily related to potential salmonella contamination. And in 2008, Pedigree recalled three varieties of its dog food due to excess vitamin D, which can cause illness.
While their products are marketed as high quality, these incidents have raised some concerns from pet nutritionists about the safety of Pedigree’s ingredient sourcing and quality control. However, Pedigree remains one of the most popular brands despite these past recall events.
Conclusion
In summary, Pedigree dog food is currently facing shortages across many major retail outlets. Huge demand increases, supply chain problems, and sourcing issues have constrained inventory of dry and wet Pedigree products. This is impacting pet owners and retailers nationwide. The shortages could potentially last through 2022 before supplies rebalance. Pet owners may need to consider alternate brands or formulas if their preferred Pedigree product is hard to find in stores for the foreseeable future.
FAQs
Why is Pedigree Dog Food Not Available?
Pedigree dog food shortages are becoming a reality for pet owners across the nation. While the exact causes vary by region, a combination of factors, including supply chain disruptions, high demand, and even product discontinuations, have contributed to the scarcity of this popular brand.
Why is Pedigree Dog Food is Popular?
Pedigree is a popular dog food brand for a number of reasons.
- Affordability: Pedigree is one of the most affordable dog food brands on the market. This makes it a good option for pet owners on a budget.
- Variety: Pedigree offers a wide variety of dog food products, including dry food, wet food, and treats. This makes it easy to find a food that your dog will enjoy.
- Marketing: Pedigree has a strong marketing presence, and its products are often featured in pet stores and online retailers. This makes it a familiar brand for many pet owners.
Is There a Shortage of Dog Food 2023?
There is no widespread shortage of dog food in 2023. However, some retailers may experience temporary shortages due to supply chain disruptions or increased demand. If you are having trouble finding your dog’s favorite food, you may want to try shopping at a different retailer or ordering online.
Is Pedigree a Good Dog Food?
Pedigree is a good dog food for some dogs, but it may not be the best choice for all dogs. Some of the pros and cons of Pedigree dog food include:
Pros:
- Affordable
- Variety of products
- Strong marketing presence
Cons:
- Some products contain fillers and artificial ingredients
- Some products have been recalled in the past
Who Makes Pedigree Food?
Pedigree dog food is made by Mars Petcare, a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare is one of the largest pet food companies in the world, and it also owns other brands such as Whiskas, Royal Canin, and Nutro.
