U.S. Pet Owners Face Rising Prices as Tariffs Take Effect
By Zhang Yiyi
Published: April 21, 2025, 09:39 PM
Tariffs by the U.S. government hurt the pet care sector. Experts and insiders warn U.S. pet owners will soon face problems. They may struggle to get food and accessories for their pets.
Rising Costs Ahead
Tariffs hit many businesses and consumers. Many products now cost more. Petworks.com, a pet care platform, says many pet accessories come from China. Tariffs on products from China raise retail prices, which strains consumers’ budgets.
Liu Xiaoxia, deputy secretary-general of the China Animal Agriculture Association’s pet division, spoke in an interview with the Global Times. He explained that early stockpiling kept the U.S. pet market stable. But he warned that major trouble could come later this year. “We could be facing major trouble,” Liu said. This trouble will affect U.S. retailers and consumers alike.
Data shows that in 2023 the U.S. imported nearly 313.6 million kilograms of dog and cat food. China ranked as the third-largest supplier with about 21.4 million kilograms worth $140 million. Inflation and tariffs now add extra cost to pet ownership.
Impact of Inflation on Consumers
A report from Rover’s True Cost of Pet Parenthood for 2025 says 28% of pet owners find it harder to afford pet needs. Additionally, 52% worry that tariffs will push pet prices even higher.
American retailers now stockpile inventory to face uncertainty. Cheng, CEO of a Chinese pet supply company, said that U.S. clients place orders that cover three to six months. Their worry over tariffs is clear.
Zhang, an exporter of premium smart pet products, said his company was forced to reduce coupons and discounts on U.S. e-commerce sites. He called it a “price hike in disguise.” Tariffs now force the industry to raise costs gradually.
Supply Chain Limitations
U.S. distributors hold enough Chinese-made pet products for a few months. Liu warns that if tariffs persist, market pressure will grow fast. The U.S. pet supply chain remains weak. Local production costs stay high. American retailers rely on Chinese imports because they offer quality, low cost, and strong manufacturing capacity.
Resilience of Chinese Firms
Despite the challenges of tariffs, Chinese pet firms hold up well. Many companies now diversify into other markets. Liu said that leading companies quickly expand globally after multiple tariff rounds.
High-quality Chinese pet products now gain ground in European markets. Suppliers meet strict EU rules. One manager said Europe has more than 100 million cats but few smart pet products. This gap creates a large chance for growth.
Some Chinese companies build satellite factories in Cambodia and Vietnam. This strategy boosts production as markets shift. In early 2025, firms reported notable growth in exports to South America and the Middle East.
Targeting Domestic Growth
Chinese companies now focus on domestic growth too. They use e-commerce platforms like JD.com. JD.com offers targeted subsidies up to 200 billion yuan ($27.4 billion) for goods hit by U.S. tariffs. This help raises domestic sales for pet brands. It gives companies a buffer against international trade pressure.
The 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper shows the domestic pet market will grow fast. China had more than 120 million pets by 2024. The urban market for dogs and cats is over 300 billion yuan. As the market evolves, consumers now want more innovative and multifunctional pet products.
In conclusion, as U.S. pet owners brace for rising costs from tariffs, the global pet market changes rapidly. Businesses stay resilient, adapting quickly to economic pressure.
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