Friskies is a popular brand of cat food, but it seems as though there has been a shortage on grocery store shelves. This shortage has pet owners wondering what is going on. Some people think there is a recall, but there isn’t. This article explores why this may be and what options you have if you are unable to buy Friskies.
Some brands such as the 13-ounce Purina Friskies brand cat food have been discontinued, the entirety of the Friskies cat food is not being discontinued. Instead, the shortage has to do with supply chain issues, severe weather conditions, labor shortage, packaging, and machinery.
Finding cat food can be challenging for pet owners right now, especially, when shopping at the grocery store. The shortage has many people flocking to the Internet spreading rumors about the cat food being discontinued, or recalled.
This can’t be further from the truth, the last known recall was in June 2011. Unfortunately, the shortage is due to other reasons every pet owner should be aware of.
Below are the main reasons you’re facing the shortage issue in grocery stores. We’ll also discuss several issues pet owners will face due to the shortage and what to do about it.
Reasons for The Shortage on Friskies Cat Food
Supply Chain Issues
When you turn on the news, you hear stories about how the supply chains are affecting food, cars, and other products. The Friskies cat food is not immune to these issues.
Friskies is made in the United States, but outsource many of the high-quality ingredients as Vitamin Packs, Duck, Lamb, etc, within the United States, depending on the availability.
Unfortunately, many companies (not just Purina) are dealing with shortage issues. This means the companies that provide high-quality ingredients are also having a shortage.
Severe Weather Conditions
In addition to the supply chain issues, severe weather conditions are wreaking havoc on production schedules. For example, 2017 has been one of the wettest years on record in the United States. This means that rivers are overflowing and fields are too wet to harvest crops.
The flooding not only affects the crops but also destroys infrastructure such as bridges and roads. This makes it difficult for ingredients to get to the factories and products to get to grocery stores.
Unfortunately, with global warming, severe weather continues in the form of tornadoes, snowstorms, etc. It will continue disrupting the supply chain for pet food manufacturers.
This has caused a shortage of raw materials needed to produce the food as well as delays in getting the product to store shelves.
The severe weather conditions not only affected the production but also the transportation of goods to grocery stores. This has affected cat treats and wet and dry cat food, as well as other brands such as Fancy Feast.
Labor Shortage
People are quitting their jobs in record numbers, in fact, it’s been termed a “labor shortage.” Companies are having a hard time finding people to do the jobs that need to be done.
In Purina’s case, they are not only having a hard time finding workers for their plants in the United States but also around the world. But they are struggling to fill their open positions, making it harder to get the Friskies cat food to store shelves.
Packaging and Machinery
In order to keep up with changing trends, companies are always updating their packaging and machinery. Unfortunately, this takes time and money. It’s not unusual for machines to break down or require maintenance that also takes workers away from the production line.
When machines are down, it not only affects the production but also the packaging. This means that products may not be packaged in a way that meets customers’ expectations.
Has Friskies Doubled In Price?
Yes, you’ll pay more for cat food this year than you did last year. The reason being is the prices for U.S. soybeans, and corn (the key ingredients in pet foods) has reached an all-time high, making it harder for farmers to sell their crops.
The reason the prices have shot up is due to the ingredients being used as a push for biofuels-based renewable energies. In addition, during the pandemic, several people adopted pets increasing the issue of supply and demand.
What to Do About The Shortage of Friskies Cat Food
As you can see, there are several reasons for the shortage of Friskies cat food. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that the product has been discontinued or recalled.
It does, however, mean that you may have a hard time finding it in your local grocery store. You can also expect to see higher prices for the product.
In addition, some of the other brands of cat food may be in short supply as well.
The best thing you can do is be patient and keep looking for the product. If you can’t find it at your local grocery store, try checking online or at pet stores.
Also, make sure you have an adequate supply of cat food so that you don’t run out.
When Will Your Favorite Friskies Brands Be Back On Shelves?
Don’t expect your cat’s favorite flavors to be back on the shelves anytime soon. According to Newsweek, the supply shortage could last until 2023. These shortages won’t just affect cat food, it affects all pet food products.
While it’s still possible to find Purina products on store shelves. You’ll likely have trouble finding your cat’s favorite flavors.
Transitioning Your Cat to A New Food
If you’re having trouble finding your cat’s favorite food, it may be time to transition them to another brand. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to do this. They will be able to recommend a product that meets your cat’s health needs.
When transitioning your cat to different food, the important thing to remember is to do it slowly, over a seven-day period. Mix a small portion of the new food with the old food and gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food.
Your cat’s diet is important and should not be taken lightly. If you’re having trouble finding your favorite Friskies brand, don’t panic. There are other brands available that will meet your cat’s nutritional needs.
Final Word
If it’s getting harder to find your cat’s favorite Friskie flavors, rest assured, you’re not alone. The supply shortage is affecting stores nationwide.
While the company is doing its best to meet the demand, it’s going to take some time before your favorite flavors are back on store shelves. In the meantime, consider talking with your veterinarian to find a suitable alternative that will meet your pet’s needs.
At some point, the continuing problems caused by the pandemic will pass, and the company will be back up to full production. Until then, we’ll just have to bear with the shortage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is There A Friskies Wet Food Shortage?
Yes, both Friskies dry and wet cat food products are in short supply, due to the global supply chain woes. All pet products are hard to find, which can make it challenging for pet owners to feed their pets their favorite foods.
When Will Friskies Cat Food Be Available?
No one knows the exact date when store shelves will be fully stocked again with pet products. That said, Nestle Purina PetCare Company understands the hardships this issue is having on pet parents. They are doing everything they can to get their pet products on store shelves as quickly as possible.
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