The shift in pet spending
Real talk: if your wallet is feeling the burn from rising gas and grocery prices, you’re not alone. But even while consumers are playing it safe with their spending, there is one sector that is absolutely eating right now: cat products. While dog-related sales are officially in their flop era, companies like General Mills, Chewy, and Petco are highlighting cat-care items as the main character of their portfolios.
Why cats are winning
According to the American Pet Products Association, cat ownership jumped 5% in 2025, bringing the total to roughly 53 million households—and that is on top of a massive 23% surge in 2024. Why the pivot? Executives in the space say it comes down to the math: cats are low-key more affordable and easier to house in apartments compared to the high-maintenance energy of dogs.
Big brands are adjusting
General Mills just reported double-digit growth for their cat food segment, including their Tiki Cat brand, while their dog food sales dropped by a high-single-digit percentage. CEO Jeff Harmening noted that this contrast is directly linked to the current shift in pet adoptions. COO Dana McNabb admitted that while the dog segment is struggling, it is partly a marketing and product issue they need to fix, similar to how they turned around their 'Tastefuls' cat line a few years back.
Meanwhile, Chewy CEO Sumit Singh kept it simple on their recent call, stating, 'dog seems to be worsening; cat seems to be strengthening.' Petco is seeing the same energy, with CEO Joel D. Anderson reporting gains in cat consumables and furniture, emphasizing that being diversified is the only way to stay winning when dog adoptions are down.
Why it matters
Pet retail is a massive indicator of consumer habits, and the 'cat-first' economy is changing how big companies allocate their marketing budgets. If you’re a pet parent, expect to see way more innovation and high-impact launches aimed at cats as retailers fight for your share of wallet.
