For advocates, keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry that feeds and supplies companion animals is essential. The inaugural State of Sustainability in the Pet Industry report, produced by the Pet Sustainability Coalition, combines data from several sources to provide an overview of the trends, challenges, and opportunities around sustainability in the pet industry. Ultimately, it argues that environmental responsibility has shifted from a niche marketing trend to a structural necessity.

The report’s primary data comes from the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s first-ever benchmark assessment, a self-reported survey of their 200+ members worldwide regarding sustainable business practices. This is supplemented by pet consumer data acquired from research partners Nextin and BBMG, as well as publicly available industry data tracking global trends in sustainability, consumer behavior, and market innovation.

It’s important to note that much of the internal data comes from companies that have already joined a sustainability coalition, potentially skewing results toward more environmentally conscious businesses.

Consumers Want Transparency

A major takeaway for advocates is the shift in consumer expectations. The report finds that 84% of companion animal guardians hold companies responsible for addressing climate change. Furthermore, guardians are much more likely to act on these values than non-guardians: 62% bought an environmentally friendly product in the past month, compared to only 46% of non-guardians.

However, blind trust is fading. Consumers, particularly younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials, are becoming skeptical of vague “green” claims. They’re looking for verifiable proof of responsible sourcing and recyclable packaging rather than unsubstantiated marketing. While affordability remains a primary barrier to purchasing sustainable goods, sustainability is often the deciding factor when price expectations are met.

The Business Case

According to the report, companies are increasingly recognizing that sustainability drives business resilience. Climate change poses material financial risks. In the pet food sector, for instance, extreme weather contributes to price volatility when sourcing meat and fish, suggesting that diversifying into alternative proteins could help address this vulnerability. Consequently, 54% of CEOs now link sustainability directly to business performance, up from 34% in 2018.

Regulatory Pressure

Perhaps the strongest driver of change is the tightening regulatory landscape. The report highlights a shift from voluntary guidelines to mandatory legal requirements. For example, the European Union’s Green Claims Directive requires companies to verify environmental claims with third-party evidence to combat greenwashing, while in California, Senate Bills 253 and 261 mandate disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks for large companies doing business in the state. Laws like these are forcing companies to move beyond simple marketing to rigorous data collection and reporting.

Innovation In Proteins And Packaging

The report identifies protein sourcing as the most significant environmental impact in the pet food sector. It presents a nuanced view of the trade-offs involved in different protein choices. For instance, while human-grade diets use minimal processing and appeal to consumers who value ingredient transparency, they can have higher energy requirements for refrigeration and cold-chain distribution. Given these concerns, novel proteins such as fermentation-derived and plant-based options are highlighted as critical tools for supporting the industry’s long-term sustainability goals.

Packaging is another major focus, with industry trends moving toward “circularity.” This involves designing packaging that’s recyclable or reusable, driven in part by Extended Producer Responsibility laws which shift waste management costs from consumers to producers.

Advocating For Progress, Not Promises

The report concludes that the pet industry is currently in an early-to-mid stage of sustainability maturity. While there’s progress, significant gaps remain, particularly in measuring value chain emissions — those occurring in the supply chain where the biggest impacts, like ingredient sourcing, lie.

For advocates, the report offers several actionable insights:

• Push for alternative proteins: The pet industry is beginning to acknowledge that novel proteins, including plant-based and fermentation-derived, are necessary for climate resilience. Advocates can leverage this business case to promote non-animal protein sources.
• Demand verification: With the rise of anti-greenwashing laws, advocates can hold companies accountable by demanding third-party verification for any environmental claims.
• Support systemic changes: Advocates can support legislative efforts like Extended Producer Responsibility laws and climate disclosure mandates, which force transparency and penalize wasteful practices.

By understanding that the industry views sustainability as a tool for risk mitigation and profit, advocates can better frame their campaigns to accelerate the transition toward a more ethical and environmentally sound food and supply system for companion animals.

This summary was drafted by a large language model (LLM) and closely edited by our Research Library Manager for clarity and accuracy. As per our AI policy, Faunalytics only uses LLMs to summarize very long reports (50+ pages) that are not appropriate to assign to volunteers, as well as studies that contain graphic descriptions of animal cruelty or animal industries. We remain committed to bringing you reliable data, which is why any AI-generated work will always be reviewed by a human.