How Cat Food Shopping Habits Are Changing in 2026

If you have ever found yourself standing in the cat food aisle comparing fourteen nearly identical bags while your cat is at home judging you from afar, welcome. You are among friends.

Cat food shopping in 2026 looks very different than it did even a few years ago. We are not just talking about more fancy flavors and bigger promises on the front of the bag. We are talking about how people buy, where they buy, and why they keep switching it up. The biggest headline is this: cat parents are not choosing a single lane anymore. They are mixing online and in store shopping like it is a buffet, taking what works from each.

Let’s unpack the newest cat food shopping habits, and what they mean for your pantry, your budget, and your tiny furry CEO.

The new normal is “both,” not “either”

The old debate of in-store vs online is starting to feel like asking whether you prefer coffee or water. Most of us want both, just at different times.

Industry analysts have been calling out a growing shift to omnichannel shopping, meaning people buy across online and physical stores instead of sticking to one. NielsenIQ has pointed to more pet parents opting for online shopping while traditional in store sales soften, and also notes that the highest spending shoppers tend to be the ones who shop across channels.

So what does that look like in real life?

• You order the heavy basics as online pet food deliveries, because carrying a giant bag of kibble up the stairs is not the workout you asked for.
• You grab a new treat or a “let’s try this” wet food variety pack in store, because you want it today and you like reading labels in person.

Autoship is quietly running the show

One reason ecommerce pet food keeps growing is simple: recurring deliveries are easier than remembering you are on the last scoop.

Chewy, one of the biggest online pet retailers, has reported that Autoship makes up the vast majority of its sales in recent periods, with reporting showing it above 80 percent of sales in fiscal results commentary.

Translation: a lot of cat parents are basically saying, “Please handle this for me,” and the internet is happily obliging.

This is also part of a broader subscription trend. Packaged Facts reporting summarized by market research coverage has noted that a meaningful share of adults subscribe to regular deliveries of household goods, groceries, or pet food, with higher participation among younger generations.

Pickup is the compromise we did not know we needed

Here is another 2026 twist: online does not always mean delivery.

Buy online, pick up in store has become a go to option for pet parents who want the convenience of ordering on their phone, but the speed of getting it today. Both PetSmart and Petco actively promote pickup options that let shoppers order online and collect in store or via curbside.

This matters for cat food shopping habits because cat food is not like buying a new sweater. It is a need. When you run out, you run out.

Pickup also helps when you need one specific item and do not want to pay for shipping, or you are trying to stick to a budget and avoid impulse browsing. (Yes, that “limited edition tuna plushie” is adorable. No, your cat does not need it. Possibly.)

Ingredient scrutiny is shaping buying behavior

In 2026, cat parents read ingredient panels the way some people read true crime.

There is a steady push toward premiumization, functional benefits, and “food that feels like food.” Big brands are investing in fresh and premium offerings, and Reuters has highlighted fresh pet food as a fast growing segment, with companies expanding fresh options and premium brands in major retail channels.

Even if you are not buying fresh, the influence is everywhere: simpler ingredients, clearer sourcing language, and more emphasis on digestion, skin and coat, hairball support, and weight management.

This is where retail trends meet real life. People want confidence, and they will shop around for it.

Price sensitivity is real, but so is “my cat is picky”

Inflation fatigue is still part of the story. Many shoppers are balancing premium wishes with practical budgets, which is why you see more behavior like:

• Buying larger bags online when there is a deal
• Switching between brands based on promotions
• Mixing wet and dry to stretch the budget
• Using store pickup to avoid delivery fees

At the same time, cat parents are famously loyal once they find something that works. A food that keeps your cat’s stomach calm and their coat shiny can feel priceless, especially if you have lived through the “new food diarrhea era” even once.

So the buying behavior trend is not simply “cheaper.” It is “best value for my specific cat.”

In store still wins at one thing: discovery

Online pet food is unbeatable for convenience, but physical stores still win for browsing and discovery.

In store, you can:

• Compare texture and size (kibble pieces are not one size fits all)
• Find trial sizes
• Ask staff questions
• Grab a last minute option when you need it now

Online, you get:

• Easier price comparisons
• Reviews from other cat parents
• Subscription discounts

That is why in-store vs online is not really a war in 2026. It is a tag team.

Brand Highlight: Where Salty Cat fits into these 2026 retail trends

All these changing retail trends can make cat food shopping feel like a part time job. That is where Salty Cat aims to be your calm, cat loving friend in the middle of the noise.

We focus on making decisions feel simpler by sharing straightforward guidance, real world tips from fellow cat people, and support that feels human (because it is). When you are weighing ecommerce pet food convenience against in store browsing, the goal is not to “win” shopping. The goal is to keep your cat thriving and your household running smoothly.

Whether you are building a subscription routine, experimenting with new recipes, or trying to decode ingredient labels without getting a headache, Salty Cat is here to help you shop smarter and stress less.

Conclusion: 2026 cat food shopping is flexible, fast, and very cat parent

The biggest shift in cat food shopping habits in 2026 is that people are building systems. Autoship for stability, pickup for emergencies, in store for discovery, and online for variety and savings.

So if your shopping routine looks a little messy, you are doing it right. The modern cat parent toolkit is not one perfect method. It is a mix that keeps the bowl full, the budget reasonable, and your cat only mildly dramatic about dinner.

FAQs

1) What are the biggest cat food shopping habits in 2026?

The biggest cat food shopping habits in 2026 include shopping across channels, using online pet food subscriptions for staples, and relying on pickup options for last minute needs. This reflects a broader shift in buying behavior toward convenience and flexibility, not just one preferred store.

2) Is in-store vs online better for cat food?

In-store vs online depends on what you need. In store is great for discovering new foods, checking packaging in person, and getting items immediately. Ecommerce pet food is ideal for price comparisons, home delivery, and subscription savings. Many US cat parents use both, especially in busy metro areas like Los Angeles or Chicago, and also in smaller towns where pickup can save a long drive.

3) Why is ecommerce pet food growing so fast?

Ecommerce pet food keeps growing because it is convenient, offers broad selection, and makes repeat purchasing easy through subscriptions. Online pet food ordering also helps shoppers compare prices quickly, which matters when budgets are tight and buying behavior becomes more value focused.

4) How can I save money while keeping up with retail trends?

To save money while keeping up with retail trends, try mixing strategies: use subscription discounts for your regular food, watch for online promos on larger sizes, and use pickup to avoid shipping fees. If you live in high cost regions like California or the Northeast, combining in store sales with online pet food deals can make a noticeable difference over time.