Urgent warning issued to cat and dog owners over pet food

CAT and dog owners have been hit by the cost of living crisis with the price of food rocketing by nearly 60 per cent.

RSPCA research found almost a quarter (23 per cent) are worried about feeding their pets.

It comes as separate analysis revealed that some food prices in high street stores and discounters have increased by almost 58 per cent in the past 12 months.

Nestlé’s Go-Cat Adult Chicken & Duck 750g, for instance, has gone from £2 to £3.15 in Asda — up 57.5 per cent.

At the same retailer, Pedigree’s mixed multipack of wet dog food tins (6x400g) from Mars Petcare has shot up 55.6 per cent, from £4.50 to £7.

In Tesco, Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken & Vegetable 3kg is up from £7 to £8.75 — a 25 per cent increase in the year to July 3.

Own-label cat food pouches are up an average of 38 per cent across multiple retailers and discounters.

Meanwhile, own-label dry dog food has increased by 14.7 per cent on average, according to data from analyst Assosia for trade magazine The Grocer.

Nestlé blamed rising input costs while Tesco said it was “focused on providing great value”.

Asda was also approached for comment.