Pet food hidden inflation: +17.6% per unit vs +1.9% official inflation
By ShrinkRadar · Updated 2026-11-05 · Part of the ShrinkRadar Index, recomputed from the case library and official price data on every build
When a pet food pack shrinks, its price per unit jumps. In 12 documented pet food shrinks with shelf prices before and after and an official match (2019–2026), the median price per unit changed +17.6%. Official inflation for the same cases, matched to each one’s category, country and time, was +1.9%: official prices up 1.9%, the ShrinkRadar per-unit price up 17.6% over the same periods.
same category, country and time+1.9%
10 of 1283%
shelf prices before and after13
median, all 36 cases since 2018+18.5%
Official data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U, Eurostat HICP, Office for National Statistics CPI. Recomputed on every build. Method and limits.
In one lineBy countryBy yearCasesOfficial seriesMethodCite
Pet food in one line
Each line is computed from the tables below. Copy one with its source.
Pet food: official prices were up 1.9% and the ShrinkRadar per-unit price up 17.6% over the same periods. Packs that shrank cost a median 17.6% more per unit than the pack they replaced, against 1.9% official inflation for the same category, country and time (12 priced cases with an official match, 2019–2026, mostly from Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg).
In 83% of those pet food cases (10 of 12), the price per unit rose more than official inflation for the same category, country and time.
Across all 36 documented pet food shrinks since 2018, the size cut alone raised the price per unit by a median 18.5%, before any change in the shelf price.
In Germany, pet food packs that shrank were up 15.3% per gram, while official prices (Eurostat HICP) for the same cases were up 1.9% over the same periods (8 priced cases with an official match, 2020–2026, all from Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg).
By country
The same comparison for pet food cases by the country they come from, each against its own statistics office. A country needs at least 5 priced cases with an official match; 8 of 9 countries have fewer, and the table says so instead of showing a figure.
| Country | Cases | Per unit (median) | Official, same cases | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 8 (8 priced) | +15.3% | +1.9% | |
| United Kingdom | 8 (3 priced) | Too thin: 2 priced cases with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Austria | 7 (1 priced) | Too thin: 1 priced case with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| France | 3 (1 priced) | Too thin: 1 priced case with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Hungary | 4 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
| United States | 3 (0 priced) | Too thin: 0 priced cases with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Brazil | 1 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
| Hong Kong | 1 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
| Japan | 1 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
By year
By the year the pack changed. A year needs at least 5 priced cases; thin years are marked. Comparisons spanning several years (5 pet food cases) are left out of this series but kept in the headline and the case list. No single year has 5 priced pet food cases yet, so there is no yearly figure.
| Year | Cases | Priced | Per unit (median) | Official, same cases (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 4 | 1 | too thin | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | too thin | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | too thin | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | too thin | — |
| 2022 | 7 | 3 | too thin | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 | too thin | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | too thin | — |
The 36 pet food cases
Which cases count. All 36 pet food cases that changed in 2018 or later are listed and count in the size-cut figure. The per-unit headline uses the 12 that have shelf prices before and after and an official match (listed first). Left out of the per-unit figure: 23 size-only cases (the source recorded no shelf prices; we never fill one in), and 1 priced case without an official match. Cases without an official match: no official benchmark loaded for this country (7); official data not published for that period (4).
| Case (country · when · size) | Per unit | Official, matched |
|---|---|---|
| Purina Felix Doppelt Lecker Huhn & Truthahn Germany · 2026 · 1000 g → 800 g (−20.0%) | +4.1% | +1.3% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Apr 2026 |
| Felix As Good As It Looks cat food pouches, 12-pack (UK) United Kingdom · 2025 · 100 g → 85 g (−15.0%) | +17.6% | −1.2% Products for pets · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Jan 2025 |
| Kitekat cat food pouches, 12-pack (Austria) Austria · 2023 · 100 g → 85 g (−15.0%) | +17.6% | +2.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Pedigree Vitalité adult dry dog food, poultry or beef (France) France · 2023 · 10 kg → 7 kg (−30.0%) | +113.4% | +14.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (FR) · 12 months to Sep 2023 |
| Purina One Germany · 2022 · 800 g → 750 g (−6.2%) | +6.7% | +17.8% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Dec 2022 |
| Sheba Filets Natürliches Huhn Germany · 2022 · 80 g → 60 g (−25.0%) | +68.9% | +8.9% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to May 2022 |
| Wolfsblut Trockenfutter Large Breed Wide Plain Germany · 2022 · 15 kg → 12.5 kg (−16.7%) | +5.9% | +11.5% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Aug 2022 |
| Dein Bestes Katzenfutter-Senior Germany · 2020 · 750 g → 450 g (−40.0%) | +35.0% | +2.5% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jun 2020 |
| Pedigree Jumbone Riesenknochen Germany · 2020 · 200 g → 180 g (−10.0%) | +11.1% | +1.3% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jan 2020 |
| Pedigree Schmackos Germany · 2020 · 172 g → 144 g (−16.3%) | +19.4% | +1.3% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jan 2020 |
| Whiskas Knuspertaschen Germany · 2020 · 72 g → 60 g (−16.7%) | +20.0% | +1.3% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jan 2020 |
| Felix mixed selection in jelly cat food, 44-sachet pack (UK) United Kingdom · 2019 · 44 sachets → 40 sachets (−9.1%) | +10.0% | ±0.0% Products for pets · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Feb 2019 |
| ALDI dog treats (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 300 g → 200 g (−33.3%) | size only size cut alone +50.0% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Iams XL dry dog food bag United States · 2026 · 44 lb → 38.5 lb (−12.5%) | size only size cut alone +14.3% | +1.7% Pet food and treats · BLS CPI-U (US) · 2026 average vs 2025 (same 9 months) |
| Pedigree Adult Small dry dog food (Poultry & Vegetables) (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 2 kg → 1.4 kg (−30.0%) | size only size cut alone +42.9% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Friskies dry cat food (Hungary) Hungary · 2025 · 1000 g → 800 g (−20.0%) | size only size cut alone +25.0% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| James Wellbeloved Adult Hypoallergenic dry dog food, turkey & rice (UK) United Kingdom · 2015–2025 · 15 kg → 12 kg (−20.0%) | size only size cut alone +25.0% | no official match official data not published for that period |
| Kalkan wet cat food pouch (Japan) Japan · 2025 · 70 g → 60 g (−14.3%) | size only size cut alone +16.7% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Pedigree Adult Complete dry dog food, beef & vegetables (UK) United Kingdom · 2015–2025 · 15 kg → 12 kg (−20.0%) | +62.5% | no official match official data not published for that period |
| Pedigree Biscrok Gravy Bones dog biscuits (UK) United Kingdom · 2015–2025 · 500 g → 400 g (−20.0%) | size only size cut alone +25.0% | no official match official data not published for that period |
| Pedigree Jumbone Medium, beef & poultry (UK) United Kingdom · 2015–2025 · 200 g → 180 g (−10.0%) | size only size cut alone +11.1% | no official match official data not published for that period |
| Shah cat food 24-pouch multipack (Hungary) Hungary · 2025 · 2400 g → 2040 g (−15.0%) | size only size cut alone +17.6% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Friskies kitten dry food with chicken (France) France · 2024 · 2 kg → 1.5 kg (−25.0%) | size only size cut alone +33.3% | +1.3% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (FR) · 12 months to May 2024 |
| Friskies Seafood Sensations dry cat food (Hong Kong) Hong Kong · 2021–2024 · 1.2 kg → 1 kg (−16.7%) | size only size cut alone +20.0% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Nutri Source Dog Food United States · 2023 · 30 lb → 26 lb (−13.3%) | size only size cut alone +15.4% | +5.1% Pet food and treats · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to Dec 2023 |
| Pedigree adult dog food (Brazil) Brazil · 2023 · 1000 g → 900 g (−10.0%) | size only size cut alone +11.1% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Select Gold dry cat food, 10 kg bag (Fressnapf, Austria) Austria · 2023 · 10 kg → 7 kg (−30.0%) | size only size cut alone +42.9% | +2.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Select Gold dry cat food, 3 kg bag (Fressnapf, Austria) Austria · 2023 · 3 kg → 2.5 kg (−16.7%) | size only size cut alone +20.0% | +2.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Select Gold dry cat food, small bag (Fressnapf, Austria) Austria · 2023 · 400 g → 300 g (−25.0%) | size only size cut alone +33.3% | +2.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Whiskas cat food pouch (UK) United Kingdom · 2023 · 100 g → 85 g (−15.0%) | size only size cut alone +17.6% | +12.5% Products for pets · ONS CPI (UK) · 2023 average vs 2022 |
| Whiskas cat food pouches (Austria) Austria · 2023 · 100 g → 85 g (−15.0%) | size only size cut alone +17.6% | +2.4% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Whiskas dry cat food bag (UK) United Kingdom · 2023 · 2 kg → 1.9 kg (−5.0%) | size only size cut alone +5.3% | +17.2% Products for pets · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Jan 2023 |
| Felix Tendres Effilés en gelée cat food pouches, 12-pack (France) France · 2022 · 100 g → 85 g (−15.0%) | size only size cut alone +17.6% | +2.8% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (FR) · 12 months to Feb 2022 |
| Natural Balance Adult Dog Food United States · 2022 · 26 lb → 24 lb (−7.7%) | size only size cut alone +8.3% | +14.0% Pet food and treats · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to Sep 2022 |
| Purina One dry cat food, 800 g bag (Austria) Austria · 2022 · 800 g → 780 g (−2.5%) | size only size cut alone +2.6% | +10.0% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 2022 average vs 2021 |
| Purina One dry cat food, large bag (Austria) Austria · 2022 · 6 kg → 5.7 kg (−5.0%) | size only size cut alone +5.3% | +10.0% Products for pets and other household animals · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 2022 average vs 2021 |
Official series used
Each pet food case is matched to one official series for its country. A broad match means no series exists for exactly this category, so the nearest wider one is used.
| Official series | Provider | Cases matched |
|---|---|---|
| Products for pets and other household animals DE:CP09322 | Eurostat HICP (DE) | 8 |
| Products for pets and other household animals AT:CP09322 | Eurostat HICP (AT) | 7 |
| Products for pets UK:L7HG | ONS CPI (UK) | 4 |
| Pet food and treats CUUR0000SS61031 | BLS CPI-U (US) | 3 |
| Products for pets and other household animals FR:CP09322 | Eurostat HICP (FR) | 3 |
Method and limits
Two measures per case. Size cut alone = old size ÷ new size − 1: what you pay more per unit if the shelf price did not change. Price per unit = (new price ÷ new size) ÷ (old price ÷ old size) − 1, from the shelf prices the source recorded. Official benchmark: the 12-month change of the matched series in the month the case was reported, or the annual-average change for cases with only a year, or the source’s own comparison period. Every case counts once and figures are medians; there is no spending weighting.
Limits. These are documented shrinks, not a random sample: sources report packs that got smaller, and the consumer agencies behind most priced cases usually report them when the price per unit rose. So the page shows how big the hidden rise is when pet food shrinkflation happens, not how common it is. Official indexes already count a smaller pack at the same price as a price rise when the item is in their sample. Full method, thresholds and data refresh: ShrinkRadar Index method.
Cite this page
ShrinkRadar, “ShrinkRadar Index: pet food hidden inflation”, https://shrinkradar.com/shrinkflation-index/pet-food/, accessed 2026-11-05. Data: ShrinkRadar case library; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U; Eurostat HICP; Office for National Statistics CPI (Open Government Licence v3.0).
More on pet food
- ShrinkRadar Index: all categories →Every category, country, month and year, with CSV downloads.
- Pet food shrinkflation →Every documented case in one place, brand by brand.
- All Pet Food cases and tracked products →Size Facts, brands caught most often and products we check daily.
- shrinkflation-index.csv →Every Index figure, including this category, with case counts and a status column for thin rows.
Other categories in the Index
- Chocolate and candy +20.0% vs +8.7%
- Pasta, rice and meals +16.4% vs −0.7%
- Chips and snacks +19.5% vs +4.7%
- Dairy +11.1% vs +4.8%
- Breakfast cereal +25.0% vs +2.6%
- Laundry +14.5% vs +2.0%
- Coffee and tea +25.0% vs +11.6%
- Cookies and crackers +21.2% vs +1.3%
- Meat and fish +19.3% vs +3.0%
- Personal Care +27.9% vs +1.6%
- Soap, shampoo and body wash +21.4% vs +1.9%
- Dish soap and cleaners +11.1% vs +1.7%
- Juice and soft drinks +33.2% vs +5.0%
- Frozen Foods +16.9% vs +3.8%
- Baking goods and spreads +25.1% vs +2.8%
- Bread and bakery +16.0% vs +1.6%
- Toilet Paper +29.4% vs +28.8%
- Health and supplements +15.2% vs +3.2%
- Ice Cream +9.5% vs +6.6%
- Paper Towels +25.8% vs +28.8%
Closest to a figure (priced cases with an official match now, of 5 needed): Baby 4, needs 1 more; Household 4, needs 1 more; Oral Care 4, needs 1 more; Tissues 4, needs 1 more; Feminine Care 3, needs 2 more; Shaving & Razors 2, needs 3 more; Cat Litter & Pet Supplies 1, needs 4 more; Deodorant 1, needs 4 more; Bags, Foil & Wrap 0, needs 5 more.