Why Is There A Shortage Of Meow Mix Wet Cat Food?

If you’re a cat lover, then you’ve probably been keeping an eye on the news lately – there’s been a shortage of Meow Mix wet cat food. But what’s causing it, and more importantly, what can be done about it? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the causes of the Meow Mix wet cat food shortage and some possible solutions.

There’s not only a shortage of Meow Mix canned cat food but all canned cat foods. The shortages are pandemic related, labor shortages, manufacturer problems, weather issues, and transport disruptions.

The Meow Mix brand is owned by J.M. Smucker Company, and the company has said that it’s doing everything it can to increase production to meet customer demand.

This article will explain everything you need to know regarding shortages, how long they are expected to last, and what you can do to make sure your cat is getting the nutrition they need.

Reasons for The Shortage on Meow Mix Wet Cat Food

Supply Chain Issues

The biggest reason for the cat food shortage is the supply and demand issue. During the pandemic, many people adopted pets, which has led to a higher demand for pet food.

At the same time, there has been a decrease in the number of manufacturing workers available to produce pet food. This has caused some brands – including Meow Mix, Whiskas, Fancy Feast, etc to have trouble getting enough product onto store shelves.

There is a shortage of all pet food products, not just cat food.

Labor Shortages

Another reason for the shortage is labor issues. Companies everywhere are experiencing difficulty finding workers to fill positions. This is especially true for manufacturing jobs, which require specific skills and can be difficult to fill.

This has caused a bottleneck in the production of pet food, leading to shortages across the board. Besides not being able to fill positions, more employees are quitting or striking for inefficient pay, quality of life, etc.

Manufacturer Problems

The Pet Food Institute says that a lot of the ingredients in pet food come from human food production. This includes plant- and animal-based ingredients. During the pandemic, many companies were forced to either close or slow down production for safety reasons.

When this happened, manufacturers of pet food were unable to get the same level of quality ingredients they needed.

This has led to shortages across all brands. The shortage has also resulted in an increase in prices for pet food.

The weather has also been playing a role in the pet food shortages. There have been several severe weather events this year – including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires – that have disrupted transport and manufacturing.

These disasters have made it difficult for companies to get the ingredients they need to produce pet food and have led to shortages at stores.

Transportation Disruptions

The final reason for the Meow Mix wet cat food shortage is transport disruptions. There have been several issues with transportation this year that have caused delays in getting products to stores.

At one point during the shortage, container shops filled with consumer goods were stuck at port for as long as two weeks. The shortage has affected all consumer goods, not just pet food.

This has resulted in a shortage of products on store shelves and a higher demand than the supply can meet.

In addition, trucking companies are facing a driver shortage, which is causing delays in getting products to stores.

When Will The Meow Mix Wet Cat Food Shortage End?

Unfortunately, the shortages are expected to last through most of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. While it’s still possible to find some Meow Mix wet cat food on store shelves, it may not be the flavor you’re looking for.

Also, expect to pay more for it, as the price has increased significantly in the past few months, thanks to inflation.

However, not all is lost and there are some things you can do to ensure your cat gets a balanced diet.

What Can You Do to Make Sure Your Cat Gets the Nutrition They Need?

The good news is that there are things you can do to make sure your cat gets the nutrition they need. Here are a few suggestions:

Mix Wet and Dry Food

The best thing you can do is make sure your cat is getting a balanced diet. This means feeding them wet and dry food, as well as giving them a variety of protein sources.

You can also mix wet and dry food together to create a balanced diet for your cat.

Switch Your Cat’s Flavor

If you are unable to find Meow Mix wet cat food at your local store, don’t worry. There are other brands that make quality wet cat food. Some good substitutes include Iams, Purina One, and Hill’s Science Diet.

In addition, you can give your cat vitamins and supplements to make sure they’re getting the nutrition they need.

Before changing your cat’s diet, add supplements or vitamins talk to your veterinarian to make sure they are safe for your cat.

Opt for Kibble

If you can’t find wet cat food, give them a dry formula. Dry cat food is high in carbohydrates and lacks the moisture to keep your cat dehydrated. So, make sure your cat drinks more water while feeding them kibble.

Also, make sure to monitor your cat’s weight if you switch them to a dry food diet, as they may gain weight if they’re not getting enough exercise.

Cook for Your Cat

Not happy with what you’re seeing on the grocery store shelves? Maybe your kitty is a picky eater and won’t eat anything but the usual. Consider cooking for them. It’s a lot of work, but your pampered kitty will love eating either a raw or cooked diet.

You can use items in your pantry such as; beef, salmon, tuna, peas, oatmeal, sweet potato, safflower, olive oil and etc.

WebMD has both cooked and raw meat diets for cat owners. Cats have are carnivores, and require animal-based proteins to stay healthy.

Before starting a home-based diet for your feline, make sure to consult with your veterinarian.

Shop Online

Instead of shopping at Walmart, shop with online vendors such as Chewy. Many of these vendors have larger supplies than retail stores, and you may have more luck finding what you’re looking for.

If possible find a company that offers subscription services. This will ensure you always have a supply of the food your cat loves, without having to worry about running out.

Final Word

There is a shortage of Meow Mix canned food, as well as all other brands. The cause is a variety of reasons including, inflation, transportation disruptions, and weather-related.

The shortage is expected to last until 2023, or longer. No one really knows for sure.

In the meantime, you can mix wet and dry food together, give your cat vitamins or supplements, or cook for them. There are also a number of online retailers that still have Meow Mix in stock.

Finally, make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water to drink. This will help keep them hydrated and healthy.

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