Pet inflation stayed firm in February, with more pressure ahead

Pet inflation remained elevated in February 2026 across major markets, and the early signal from March suggests more pressure is already arriving. GlobalPETS reported firmer February inflation in the EU, UK, US, Canada, and Brazil, with veterinary and pet services among the faster-rising categories. In the US, Bureau of Labor Statistics data show overall “pets, pet products and services” inflation reached 4.3% year over year in March, up from 3.3% in February, while “pet services including veterinary” rose 5.6% and veterinarian services also rose 5.6% year over year. Pet food and treats were up 2.3%, and purchase of pets, pet supplies, and accessories rose 3.5%. (bls.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this points to a cost environment that still isn’t easing much for clinics or pet parents. The concern isn’t just margin pressure on labor, supplies, and overhead. It’s also demand sensitivity. Vetsource said practices raised service prices by an average of 6.57% from 2024 to 2025, while revenue grew 5.4%, and visits fell, including a 3.8% drop in wellness visits and a 6% drop in surgery visits. Sheri Gilmartin, Vetsource’s vice president of sales, said rising care costs are the biggest driver of declining visits and warned that price increases can become a deterrent when clients don’t perceive enough value. (provet.com)

What to watch: Watch April 2026 CPI data, due May 12, for confirmation on whether March’s acceleration becomes a broader, sustained rise in pet care inflation. (bls.gov)