Dog food prices set to rise 50% by 2035, TopDog finds

Pet owners are set to spend an average of 50% more a month on dog food and treats by 2035, if prices continue to rise at the rate they have for the last 10 years, according to new research from dog accessory brand TopDog. 

The analysis found that prices for popular dog products have risen sharply over the past decade. If this rate continues, the average monthly spend on dog food and treats could rise significantly.

TopDog reviewed archived prices from pet retailer Zooplus via the Wayback Machine and compared them with current listings. The biggest price increase was for a grooming glove, which rose from £0.99 in 2015 to £3.79 in 2025 – a 282.83% increase. It is forecast to cost £14.50 by 2035.

The price of Arden Grange Adult – Fresh Chicken and Rice (12kg) rose from £26.99 to £44.99 over the same period, an increase of 66.69%, with a projected price of £74.99 by 2035.

Shrinkflation was also identified across several products. The price of biodegradable dog poop bags increased by 15.08% over 10 years, while pack sizes fell from 80 to 72 bags. Pedigree Adult Complete with Beef and Vegetables rose 30.01% in price as the product size decreased from 15kg to 12kg.

TopDog said rising prices were affecting owner behaviour. Search data from Ahrefs shows an average of 2,900 monthly UK searches for “cheap dog food”. AlsoAsked data indicates consumers are increasingly asking questions such as “Why is dog food so expensive?” and “Is it cheaper to cook or buy dog food?”

Danielle Taylor, owner of Good Dog Pet Care Services, said: “The worry that myself and other professionals have is that this causes a dip in the overall health and well-being of our beloved pets.

“Owners may opt for a cheaper food alternative, which may have long-term health implications, such as poor dental health. I have also seen cases of owners delaying seeking veterinary care due to fear of costs, and hoping they can resolve the issue at home. Both of these factors have an incremental impact on animal health long term, and I feel for owners as they’re only doing the best they can for their pets.”

Taylor added: “There are many great tools that are non-biased to help owners make the best choice possible. I often refer people to All About Dog Food, where they can make the best choice of dog food based on cost and nutritional value.

“It is tempting to buy cheaper dog food, but these often have higher levels of bulking ingredients and refined meats, which aren’t the best for dogs. But if you are struggling with cost, and want to go cheaper, you can buy ‘complete kibble’ (making sure carbohydrates are under 50%) and then increase the nutritional value with ‘toppers’. This could be a couple of tins of 50p sardines from the supermarket each week.”