The 2025 stock market has been dominated by big tech and the AI race, with major exchanges hitting record highs. But the pet sector? It’s a different story. GlobalPETS analyzed 10 listed pet companies—including 4 food producers, 4 retailers, and 2 healthcare players—to see how shifting consumer habits and market volatility are shaping their performance.
The results, based on closing prices from January 2 (the first trading day of 2025) to October 30, tell a clear tale: only 4 companies saw stock gains this year, and most of them are retailers. Food producers and healthcare firms, by contrast, faced downward pressure. Geography also plays a role: the U.S. #petmarket is shrinking, and consumers are holding back on spending. Let’s break down the key trends.
Pet Food: A Mixed Bag with Few Winners
Thai company i-Tail Corporation saw its stock drop 25.9% between January and October 2025. It started the year at THB 23.20 ($0.72/€0.62) and closed at THB 17.20 ($0.53/€0.46) on October 30. After a steady decline that hit a low of THB 10.10 ($0.31/€0.27) in June, the stock began to recover—but not enough to erase earlier losses.
U.S.-based General Mills followed a similar downward trajectory, losing 26% of its value. Its shares fell from $63.54 (€54.93) in January to $47.05 (€40.68) in October.
Freshpet’s stock took a even bigger hit, plummeting nearly 65% year-to-date. After a slight rise in January-February, the stock dropped sharply in March and fell further starting in August—from $144.32 (€124.77) in January to $50.60 (€43.74) in October. In early October, Bank of America downgraded Freshpet from “Buy” to “Neutral,” citing reduced consumer spending and fewer pet adoptions that lowered growth expectations, per financial research firm Seeking Alpha.
Nestlé was the lone bright spot among food producers: its stock rose 3.7%, from CHF 74.70 ($92.71/€80.14) in January to CHF 77.45 ($96.12/€83.10) in October.
Pet Retailers: Leading the Charge
Canadian retailer Pet Valu was the standout performer, with its stock jumping 36.7%. It started the year at C$25.38 ($18.11/€15.65) and closed at C$34.69 ($24.75/€21.50) on October 30. After a flat start and some ups and downs in February-April, the stock climbed steadily through September, peaking at C$39.12 ($27.91/€24.13). Seeking Alpha noted that the “buy Canadian movement”—a response to U.S. tariffs—gave the company a boost.
U.S. online retailer Chewy saw modest growth of 1.8%, with shares edging from $33.87 (€29.28) in January to $34.47 (€29.80) in October. The stock had its share of volatility: it hit a high of over $48 (€41.50) in June and a low of $31.21 (€26.98) in April. Morningstar analysts credit Chewy’s resilience to “steady pet spending and an expanding market.”
In the UK, Pets at Home had a balanced year with a 5.6% gain—from £203.6 million ($268.2M/€231.8M) in January to £215 million ($283.2M/€244.8M) in October. The stock rose early in 2025, gained steam in April-June, then pulled back in July. Currently, it holds 7 “Buy” ratings, 1 “Hold,” and 1 “Sell.”
American retailer Central Garden & Pet was the exception among retailers: its stock fell 18.2%, from $38.14 (€32.97) in January to $31.21 (€26.98) in October.
Vet & Healthcare: Facing Mild Pressure
Zoetis, a leader in animal health, saw a relatively small decline of 11.4%. Its stock started at $162.61 (€140.60) and closed at $144.10 (€124.58) in October, with fluctuations throughout the year and steeper drops in February, April, July, and September. While the stock showed recovery signs in October, Morningstar warned that even Zoetis could face headwinds if a recession leads to cutbacks in #pethealth spending—despite its “undisputed” industry leadership.
U.S. #petinsurance provider Trupanion fared slightly worse, with a 16% devaluation. Its shares fell from $48.20 (€41.67) to $40.48 (€35), hitting lows in March and April. Seeking Alpha attributed the drop to “costly growth driven by unsustainable price hikes.”
How Pet Stocks Stack Up Against Market Indexes
- Pets at Home (London Stock Exchange/FTSE 250): Its 5.6% gain trails the FTSE 250’s 7.4% year-to-date average.
- Pet Valu (Toronto Stock Exchange/S&P/TSX Composite): Its 36.7% return outperforms the index’s 22.04%.
- General Mills & Zoetis (New York Stock Exchange/S&P 500): Both underperformed the S&P 500’s 15.99% gain.
- Chewy (New York Stock Exchange/S&P MidCap 400): Its 1.8% growth lags the index’s 4% increase.
- Trupanion, Freshpet, & Central Garden & Pet (Nasdaq/Nasdaq Composite): All fell short of the Nasdaq’s 23.19% year-to-date rise.
Key Takeaways for the Pet Industry
2025’s pet stock trends offer valuable insights for brands, retailers, and investors alike—revealing what works (and what doesn’t) in a volatile market:
- Retailers have a resilience edge: Pet Valu, Chewy, and Pets at Home’s gains highlight the power of aligning with consumer priorities. For retailers, this means doubling down on convenience (Chewy’s online model), local loyalty (Pet Valu’s “buy Canadian” boost), and trusted in-store experiences. Even in a spending-cautious environment, shoppers stick with brands that make #petcare easier or feel connected to their values.
- Food producers need to adapt to cost sensitivity: Freshpet and General Mills’ declines reflect consumers’ growing wariness of premium pricing amid economic uncertainty. Brands here should focus on value-driven innovation—without sacrificing quality—or lean into niche markets where #petowners are still willing to spend (e.g., functional nutrition). Nestlé’s success shows that scale, diverse product lines, and consistent quality can buffer against market swings.
- Healthcare and insurance face unique challenges: Zoetis and Trupanion’s drops underscore that pet health spending is not entirely recession-proof. For these players, transparency around pricing (to avoid “unsustainable hikes”) and emphasizing preventive care’s long-term value can help retain customers. Partnering with retailers to make health products more accessible could also drive stability.
- Geography matters: The shrinking U.S. pet market and “buy local” movements (like Canada’s) remind brands to tailor strategies to regional trends. For global players, this might mean adjusting pricing, supply chains, or marketing to resonate with local consumers—especially as tariffs and trade policies shift.
Ultimately, 2025’s trends confirm that the pet industry’s core strength—consumers’ deep bond with their pets—remains intact. But success now requires more than just great products: it demands agility, a focus on value, and an understanding of how market volatility shapes spending choices. Whether you’re a retailer, producer, or healthcare provider, the key is to meet pet owners where they are—balancing their love for their furry friends with the realities of a uncertain economy.
Source: GlobalPETS