Exports, state levies and label modernization highlight 2025 pet industry trends in the US
While dog and cat food exports declined due to tariffs and economic uncertainty, states considered raising fees and enacting new regulations affecting the sector.
The Pet Food Institute (PFI), the trade association representing US dog and cat food manufacturers, highlighted key changes and updates in regulations, fees and global trade in the pet food industry nationwide in 2025.
Global trade highlights
For the first 8 months of 2025, US dog and cat food exports totaled $1.65 billion, down 2% year over year (YoY), the association says in its PFI 2025 Impact Report.
Canada remained the top export destination at $779 million (€569M), down 6% YoY, followed by China at $194 million (€164M), down 7% YoY. Mexico, meanwhile, recorded a 6% YoY increase to $169 million (€143M).
The PFI notes that this performance was influenced by tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, new import rules in some countries, economic headwinds and supply chain pressures. In 2025, the US pet industry faced an approximately 29% increase in tariffs, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Pet food levies
Several US states intended to impose pet food taxes and feed-related fees last year, according to PFI. Such proposals surfaced in Maryland, Vermont, Virginia, North Dakota and Washington but were not approved.
In New Mexico, for instance, lawmakers proposed a 5-year extension of the state’s spay-and-neuter program, which is funded in part by taxes on non-exempt pet food manufacturers selling products in the state. The extension did not pass, and the program remains subject to its sunset date of 1 July 2026.
In New Hampshire, however, an increase in the commercial feed fee was approved, raising annual feed registration duties from $75 (€69) to $120 (€110) per product.
Restrictions under review
A few states are also considering legislation restricting additives or dyes in pet food. One of them is Oklahoma, where legislation to ban artificial food additives in human and pet food is under consideration in the Senate, with the vote deadline now set for this year.
Proposals that could potentially impact the industry are also under review in Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and Ohio, the PFI says.
Label modernization
The US pet food industry is approaching the 2-year mark on the discretionary 6-year deadline to implement updated labeling required by the Pet Food Labeling Modernization (PFLM) initiative. Although manufacturers have begun rolling out packaging updates, some still need support with regulatory and label transparency training.
PFLM was proposed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) in 2015 to update regulations and make pet food labels more transparent and user-friendly, with clear information on nutritional values and ingredient names.
The deadline for companies to comply with the requirements is 2030.
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