How Proposed Tariffs Could Impact Pet Care Costs: What Pet Owners Need to Know

Proposed Tariffs Raise Concerns Over Rising Pet Care Costs

By Amber Grigley
Posted and Last Updated: Indianapolis

Pet ownership grows fast. Costs to care for pets grow too. Proposed tariffs hang near. Many pet owners worry. They fear pet care products will cost more.

Pet Owners Voicing Their Concerns

Pets feel like family. Yet owning pets adds many costs. Ellie Cornett is a college student. She owns a King Charles Cavalier named Winston. She said, "You have to buy special pet food for a puppy. A bag costs around $50. He eats it in a month. That cost is heavy for me as a student."

Steven Howes owns a Pembroke Welsh corgi. He said, "Vaccination costs have nearly doubled for me." His words join many others. Pet owners feel the pinch in their budgets.

Projected Price Increases

USA Today reports that dog owners may face a 7% cost rise. Cat owners might see costs go up by 10% this year. This forecast creates fear. Owners worry about stretched budgets.

Professor Andreas Hauskrecht teaches business economics at the IU Kelley School of Business. He said, "I strongly disagree that pet food is cheap." He noted, "Soft food comes in cans. Tariffs on steel and aluminum will push up those prices." His words point to the tangible financial hit.

Supply Chain Woes

Tariffs ripple through the supply chain. They affect key ingredients in pet food production. Hauskrecht added, "We have a robust supply chain with Mexico and, to a lesser extent, Canada." He stressed that markets depend on one another.

Pet owners brace for higher costs. They know that love for pets has its price. Steven Howes said, "It is not going to stop us. For an avid dog lover, it is like having children. My dog, Ollie, is like my third kid." His words show his deep care.

The Bigger Picture

Professor Hauskrecht reminded Hoosiers of this truth. Indiana is part of a wide supply network for pet products. Tariffs affect both pet owners and the state’s economy.

Rover predicts that by 2025, a dog will cost between $1,400 and $5,200 each year. A cat will cost around $750 to $3,500. These numbers push pet owners to learn more. They prepare for extra costs.

Economic policies may change life for pet owners. The future of pet care costs remains uncertain.

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