Pet prices hit record highs as March petflation reaches 4.3%

Pet prices across the U.S. hit record highs in March 2026, with overall “pets, pet products and services” inflation rising 4.3% year over year, above the broader Consumer Price Index’s 3.3% gain, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The March reading marked the first time since September 2022 that all major pet industry price segments reached record levels at once, with pet food up 0.4% month over month and pet supplies helping drive the increase after shifting from deflation last year to 3.1% inflation in March, according to Petfood Industry’s report on BLS data and analysis from Pet Business Professor’s John Gibbons. (bls.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the pricing story is broader than food and retail supplies. Rising pet-care costs are landing at a time when practice revenue growth appears to be coming more from pricing than from stronger demand: VetWatch said year-to-date revenue at roughly 3,000 U.S. practices was up 2.1% through April 4, 2026, while unique patients were down 2.6%, clients were down 2.2%, and invoices were down 2.8%. That combination suggests continued pressure on compliance, visit frequency, and client affordability as pet parents absorb higher costs across the full care journey. (cdn01.vetwatch.com)

What to watch: Watch the April 2026 CPI release for whether pet inflation broadens further, especially in veterinary services, and whether softer visit volumes continue to offset revenue gains. (bls.gov)