Pet‑food pinch forces Nigeria's middle class to ration
Dog owners across Nigeria are trimming meals and turning to homemade alternatives as soaring inflation and currency devaluation drive imported pet‑food costs up to levels equivalent to the national minimum wage. A crisis in livestock staples has now reached the country's urban pet economy.
Inflation in Nigeria has surged since May 2023, when the government removed a long-standing fuel subsidy and devalued the naira. General inflation hit nearly 35% last December—the highest in 30 years—with a softer but still elevated annual rate of 23.7% observed by April 2025. Staple food prices are the main driver, pushing many households to adapt their diets; now the strain of elevated costs has extended to household pets.
Pet‑food inflation has hit dog owners hard. A 15‑kilogram bag of imported kibble now commands up to 70,000 naira—equivalent to the monthly minimum wage—up from about 40,000 naira six months ago. For many urban middle‑class families, cooking for themselves is difficult enough; feeding a dog on top of that is emerging as an unsustainable luxury.
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Pet owners in cities like Lagos and Ibadan are increasingly replacing branded kibble with home‑cooked alternatives. Student Peter Anthony, based in Ibadan, described how his family now gives their German Shepherd, Flora, smaller rations of noodles and mixes of fish or egg to compensate for the inflated prices. Even amidst personal hardship, Anthony maintains healthcare for Flora, including vet visits—a reflection of the importance attached to companion animals across Nigeria's growing urban middle class.
Pet‑food scarcity is already reshaping the business landscape. Importers and breeders are scaling back operations. Lagos‑based importer Sarah Mokelu reduced her trips to Russia from bi‑monthly to once every three months, limiting shipments to roughly six dogs per visit, citing limited breeder demand and high feeding costs. Akindele Olunloyo, CEO of Pet Lovers Nigeria, reports that all associated costs—permit fees, transport, food—have escalated, prompting a shift in his business model toward catering exclusively to high‑net‑worth clients who can afford both pets and imported feed.
Some feed manufacturers are reaping the benefits of this shift. Local producers, once overshadowed by imported brands, are attracting a growing customer base. Theresa Iwhewhe, owner of a pet hospital and food‑production firm in Ibadan, says that demand for locally made pet food has surged as foreign‑manufactured kibble becomes unaffordable. Projections from research firm ReportLinker estimate that Nigeria's dog‑food imports could fall from about 1.3 million kg in 2023 to around 769,000 kg by 2028, signalling both shrinking foreign supply and a structural shift in the market.
The ripple effects of economic strain extend beyond nutrition to animal welfare. Social‑media posts and NGO reports note a worrying uptick in pet abandonment or forced rehoming. Heart‑wrenching scenes of surrendered dogs in shelters are becoming more common. The financial stress of inflation is compelling individuals and families—already coping with steep food and fuel price rises—to make untenable choices.
Government statistics highlight the systemic issues at play. Over 30% of Nigeria's more than 200 million population live under the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 a day. Food and non‑alcoholic beverages remain the largest contributor to headline inflation, with food‑price inflation in April hovering around 21.3% year‑on‑year. Following the withdrawal of subsidies and currency realignment, the cost of living has escalated sharply, underscoring how even relatively affluent urban households are struggling to meet basic needs.
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Experts warn that what started as human hardship is now threatening the nascent pet sector. The once‑lucrative market for dogs and pet services is faltering as feeding them becomes a financial burden. 'Feeding has humbled a lot of people,' lamented breeder Sarah Mokelu, reflecting a broader sentiment among pet owners. Those maintaining dogs now face a grim choice: ration nutrition, opt for cheaper—and often nutritionally deficient—alternatives, or relinquish pets altogether.
Industry stakeholders are calling for a more sustainable, locally based pet‑food industry. The rise in demand for domestically produced kibble opens an opportunity for investment and innovation in this sector. Nutritionists emphasise that homemade diets must still address canine nutritional needs, or risk health issues. Discussions are underway among veterinary professionals and pet‑food entrepreneurs to develop balanced, affordable local feed formulations.
Policymakers, however, are preoccupied with broader economic reforms and headline inflation rather than pet‑food affordability. Even so, the plight of pet owners illuminates the pervasiveness of the crisis. When middle‑class households must ration household pets, it signals a societal strain affecting all facets of domestic life.
Local entrepreneurs — from breeders to vet‑clinics and feed‑manufacturers — are adapting rapidly. Some are blending local ingredients with supplements to mimic nutritional profiles of imported kibble. Others are offering smaller bag sizes to help owners manage costs without sacrificing quality. These efforts, though nascent, demonstrate resilience in facing economic adversity.
The evolving pet‑food landscape underlines how inflation in Nigeria has far exceeded typical spending thresholds. When breadwinners ration meals, families reduce discretionary spending on pets too. As economic pressures persist, the nation's pet‑food consumers and providers must navigate a new normal: where companionship comes at a rising cost, and adaptability is key.
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