10 Pet Retail Industry Trends To Watch in 2026

Trends shape how people shop in every industry, and pet retail is no different. Individual pet industry trends come and go, but one holds steady year after year — owners consider their pets family. And like any family member, a pet’s health and well-being come first.

That devotion shows in their spending. U.S. pet owners spent $158 billion on their pets in 2025. Chewy and Amazon have made buying pet supplies online quick, convenient, and easy, and together they’ve claimed a big share of the market.

Independent pet stores can still win that business back. By selling online and prioritizing personalization, they offer the same convenience but with expert advice on top.

This blog breaks down 10 pet retail industry trends shaping 2026. Read on to find the shifts worth planning around, plus practical ways to respond to each one.

10 Pet Retail Industry Trends for Independent Stores

These trends draw on independent store data and national research. Each one includes a practical way your store can act on it.

1. In-Person Service Drives Loyalty

In eTailPet’s 2026 Pet Industry Report, most independent retailers said personal connection is essential to keeping loyal customers. In-person service ranked as their most effective loyalty channel, well ahead of social media.

Online stores can’t replicate a staff member who remembers a dog’s food sensitivity or a cat’s favorite treat. That personal knowledge is an independent pet store’s strongest advantage.

Here’s how to turn personal service into lasting loyalty:

• Log pet details: Record each pet’s name, breed, age, and diet in the customer profile. Any staff member can then pick up where the last visit left off.
• Reward repeat visits: Set up a loyalty program that connects to your point of sale (POS) system. Points that add up on every purchase give regulars another reason to stop by.
• Follow up personally: Text a customer a week after they switch foods to ask how their pet is adjusting.
• Train for expertise: Teach staff the basics of ingredients and life-stage nutrition. Shoppers return to the store that can answer their questions.

The Big Bad Woof in Washington, D.C., connects its rewards program to its POS, so customers can use their offers online and in store. Co-owner and co-founder Pennye Jones-Napier says the integration has made loyalty effortless for her team.

“One of the things I love about eTailPet is that it seamlessly integrates with Astro Loyalty.”

— Pennye Jones-Napier

Related Read: 5 Best Pet Store Rewards Programs (2026)

2. Raw and Frozen Food Lead Category Growth

Raw food is the fastest growing category for more than half of surveyed retailers, with frozen close behind. Both reflect a broader shift toward wellness-focused diets.

In Innova Market Insights’ 2025 Pet Owners Survey, 41% of owners called functional nutrition essential to their pet’s diet. Gut health also ranks among cat owners’ top concerns. Probiotic toppers and gut-health formulas pair naturally with your raw and frozen lineup.

Frozen food also favors local stores since it’s harder to ship than kibble. New to the category? Start small with this plan.

Related Read: How To Store Pet Food in Your Retail Store

3. Budget-Conscious Owners Prioritize Food and Vet Care

For most owners, tight budgets don’t come at a pet’s expense. In a 2025 Talker Research survey, 65% of owners said they’d cut back on themselves before their pets.

Even so, rising prices have many owners watching each purchase. In the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2026 report, just about half said their pet spending held steady. Independent retailers in eTailPet’s survey report a similar pattern, with fewer store visits but slightly larger baskets. Inflation likely explains part of that shift.

A good-better-best lineup lets careful spenders find quality food without leaving your store.

Shelve the tiers side by side so owners can compare price and ingredients in one spot.

4. Online Shopping Captures More Sales

NielsenIQ data shows online channels captured 48% of U.S. pet product revenue in the 12 months leading up to July 2026. In-store sales dipped slightly over the same stretch.

Convenience drives much of that shift, especially for products owners buy every month. At Chewy, Autoship customers made up 83.3% of net sales in fiscal 2025. Once a bag of food arrives on its own, owners have little reason to shop around.

Independent stores can match much of that convenience locally. Here’s how to do it.

5. Cats Gain Ground on Dogs

Cat ownership rose to 39% of U.S. households in 2025, about 53 million homes, according to APPA’s cat report. It also found households with three or more cats are up 45% since 2018. And cat households grew faster than dog households between 2023 and 2025.

Many pet stores still give dogs most of their floor space. A fuller cat aisle gives owners a reason to skip the supermarket and shop with you.

Here’s what multi-cat households look for.

6. Gen Z Expands the Owner Base

Gen Z now accounts for 22% of cat owners, according to APPA’s cat report. This generation also reported the strongest emotional bond with their cats of any age group.

Younger owners shop differently, too. Many balance budget-friendly staples with premium products that support health or enrichment. In a Packaged Facts analysis, 27% of Gen Z adults said influencers affect their brand choices, compared with 8% of boomers.

Here’s how to reach younger pet owners:

• Post staff picks: Share short videos of new arrivals and staff favorites on social media. Recommendations from familiar faces at your store work much like influencer content.
• Text instead of calling: Send restock alerts and appointment reminders by text. A quick message is easier to answer during a busy workday.
• Highlight wellness benefits: Add shelf tags that call out protein sources and key benefits. Clear labels help owners decide when to splurge and when to save.

Related Read: Social Media Marketing for Pet Stores: 15 Creative Ideas

7. Senior Pets Need More Wellness Support

Joint health tops dog owners’ health concerns in Innova’s survey. That focus makes senior support one of the clearest pet care trends for 2026.

Supplements are already part of many older dogs’ routines. The Dog Aging Project found 67% of senior dogs received supplements. A dedicated senior section makes these products easy to find. Below are a few ideas for your pet store:

• Stock joint-support products: Carry glucosamine chews and omega-3 supplements. They were the two most common supplements across all dogs in the study.
• Offer senior diets: Shelve senior formulas next to joint products. Owners shopping for one often need the other.
• Add mobility aids: Display ramps and orthopedic beds together. Seeing them next to each other lets owners picture a full setup at home.

Related Read: 7 Pet Wellness Trends To Know in 2026

8. Pet Insurance Covers More Pets

North America had 7.6 million insured pets in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). In the U.S., insured pets hit a record high, up 9% from the year before.

There’s still plenty of room to grow, since only about 4% of U.S. pets have coverage. Insured owners already plan ahead, which makes them good candidates for preventive products like dental chews.

Pro tip: Keep pet insurer referral materials at your counter. Add flyers for local low-cost vaccine clinics and spay or neuter events, too. Owners get help managing vet costs, and your store becomes a trusted local resource.

9. Wearables Top the Pet Tech Market

The global pet tech market reached $9.2 billion in 2025. Wearables and trackers held the largest share, and smart feeders are projected to grow fastest through 2033.

Hands-on demos are where independent pet stores shine in this category. Staff can walk owners through setup before they buy, which a product page can’t do.

Each product type appeals to a different kind of owner. The table below shows what each one does and who to pitch it to.

Start with one or two product types that match what your customers already buy. A store that sells plenty of leashes and harnesses, for example, is a natural fit for GPS trackers.

10. Services Turn Stores Into Destinations

Owners spent $14.3 billion on grooming, boarding, training, and other pet services in 2025. Services bring owners back on a set schedule. Each appointment puts them steps away from your food aisle.

Before you add a service, research the demand for pet services in your area. Grooming takes dedicated equipment and trained staff, so weigh its profitability before you commit.

The table below breaks down why owners book each service and what they tend to buy after.

Paw of the Family in Anna, Texas, pairs its retail shelves with grooming and self-serve dog washes. Owner Ryan Meeks manages appointments and sales from the same system.

“You can actually have your booking, in-store shopping, and online all in the same system.”

— Ryan Meeks

Turn These Trends Into Sales With eTailPet

eTailPet’s full 2026 pet industry report tells you what trends are shaping the market, with breakdowns by store type and data from 283 independent stores. Download the report to see how your store compares with others like it.

But while national pet industry trends show where the market is heading, your own sales data shows which trends fit your customers.

eTailPet puts your sales data to work in one system. In-store and online inventory sync automatically, so a shopper who checks stock online finds it on your shelf. The Smart Order System recommends what to reorder based on your sales. Plus, online booking and text reminders keep your grooming calendar full.

Schedule a demo to turn this year’s pet retail industry trends into lasting sales for your store.