From consumer electronics like gaming consoles and personal computers, to chicken and other food items (and everything in between), supply chain issues stemming from the pandemic have become an everyday occurrence over the last two years.
Unfortunately, the pet industry is no exception.
Fluctuating shortages of pet consumables and accessories have pet manufacturers, distributors, and retailers dealing with a difficult predicament. This has certainly caused frustration at all levels throughout the supply chain, ultimately affecting the pet-owning consumer.
Whether it is due to dietary allergies, medical problems, or more, many pets require specific foods and supplements to live their best lives. When these products are not available for undetermined periods of time due to shortages, it can not only affect the quality of life for the pet, but becomes a great source of stress for the owner as well.
For this reason (among others), the Canadian pet industry is adapting to better accommodate their domestic clientele. From small niche pet businesses to large pet food producers, Canadian brands that recognize this unique opportunity are positioning themselves to lead their respective markets.
The pet industry in North America has grown rapidly since the start of the pandemic, as more and more remote workers adopted new furry companions to keep them company. This dramatically increased demand for pet foods, toys, and accessories in a time when the supply chain was already experiencing difficulties.
For decades, some of the most popular super-premium pet food brands in Canada, such as Tiki Cat, Ziwi Peak, and Schesir, have come from overseas. For many of Canada’s domestically-produced pet brands, certain key ingredients also come from overseas. This includes duck from France, lamb from New Zealand, kangaroo from Australia, and tuna from Thailand.
Canadian pet food manufacturers are among the absolute best in the modern day pet industry, and the challenges brought upon by the pandemic have really demonstrated their resilience and innovative prowess. Scads of Canadian pet product manufacturers have shifted their ingredient sourcing to domestic producers when possible, and in some cases, changed formulations to accommodate more readily available Canadian-made ingredients.
From farm-fresh human grade meats, to organic fruits and vegetables, Canadian farms already produce most, if not all the ingredients needed to make nutritionally complete and balanced pet foods and consumables. Canadian farmers and fisheries are helping our national pet food brands supply not only Canada, but the rest of the world, with healthy and wholesome pet foods, treats, and more. These efforts reduce significant delays in the pet food supply chain, much to the pleasure of those in the pet industry and pet-owning consumers alike.
On the consumer side, Canadian pet owners are turning to domestic brands in droves because of better reliability, and the ability to support local businesses.
Shortages in the supply chain are never a pleasure to deal with, however international shortages will undoubtedly provide a notable boost to the Canadian pet industry. This will further their ability to continue leading the global pet industry in quality, innovation, and sustainability.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon is certified in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
