For years, Canada and the United States have maintained one of the most important trading partnerships in the world. But like any long-term relationship, things can get a little rocky—especially when tariffs and trade tensions enter the mix. If you're a pet parent buying raw food for your dog or cat—or a business in the raw pet food supply chain—you may be wondering: how do these international politics affect my pet’s bowl?
Let's break it down.
First, What’s the Deal with Tariffs?
A tariff is basically a tax that one country puts on goods coming in from another country. Governments use tariffs for a few reasons—like protecting local industries or retaliating when another country’s policies hurt their own businesses.
For example, if Canada places a 20% tariff on U.S.-imported meat, that makes it more expensive for Canadian companies to buy meat from the U.S. And when it costs more for businesses to bring in ingredients or packaging, those extra costs often trickle down to—you guessed it—the consumer.
A Brief Look at Canada-U.S. Trade Tensions
Canada and the U.S. have had their fair share of tariff skirmishes over the years. Steel and aluminum. Dairy. Lumber. But more recently, there’s been growing tension around agricultural products, particularly meat and food processing ingredients—many of which are crucial to raw pet food manufacturing.
When these trade issues heat up, they don’t just impact big corporations. Small businesses, pet food producers, and even local farmers can feel the squeeze. And in a niche market like raw pet food, those pressures can be magnified.
How Does This Affect Raw Pet Food Providers Like Canada Raw?
At Canada Raw, we source high-quality meat, organs, bones, and other ingredients to make balanced, biologically appropriate meals for pets. While we prioritize sourcing locally whenever possible, some ingredients, supplements, or packaging materials still come from across the border.
Here’s how tariffs and trade frictions with the U.S. could affect our industry:
1. Higher Costs for Ingredients
Some raw pet food ingredients—such as beef, turkey, or specialty cuts—may be imported from U.S. suppliers, especially if demand exceeds Canadian supply. Tariffs on these meats can increase the cost significantly.
It’s not just the raw meat either. Some supplemental ingredients, like fish oil, kelp, or certain vitamins used in fortified blends, could also come from American producers. If those ingredients get caught in a tariff war, prices go up.
2. Limited Access to U.S. Suppliers
Even when the ingredients themselves aren’t hit with tariffs, shipping costs and customs processing times can be impacted by trade policies. For example, new inspections or documentation rules between Canada and the U.S. can slow things down, leading to delays in getting fresh meat across the border in time.
That’s a big deal when you're working with perishable products like raw food, where freshness is everything.
3. Increased Packaging and Equipment Costs
Raw pet food doesn’t just come from farms and butchers—it also requires durable, often specialized packaging to keep it safe and fresh. Many of the plastics, pouches, or labeling materials used by Canadian pet food companies come from U.S. manufacturers.
Tariffs on plastics or industrial goods can drive up packaging costs, which then adds to the overall cost of the final product.
4. Pressure on Local Farmers and Producers
You might think, “Well, why not just buy everything from Canadian sources?” That’s the ideal scenario—and something we strive for—but it’s not always realistic.
Canadian farmers and producers are already dealing with rising costs for feed, labor, and fuel. If trade tensions push more demand toward local sources (because U.S. imports are too expensive), prices could go up across the board.
In other words, even if we don’t import something directly, we may still feel the effects of those tariffs indirectly.
What This Means for You as a Pet Parent
Okay, enough about the politics. How does this all affect your daily life—and your dog or cat?
Here’s the reality: as raw pet food providers, we always work hard to absorb extra costs where we can. But if tariffs continue to escalate or stay in place long-term, you may eventually notice some small changes, such as:
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Slight price increases on some products or proteins
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Limited availability of certain raw blends or specialty proteins
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Longer restock times for some items, especially those with imported ingredients
We want to be fully transparent with our customers—because you deserve to know what goes into your pet’s food and what impacts the final product.
The Silver Lining: Building a More Resilient Local Supply Chain
While these trade issues present challenges, they also push us to innovate and strengthen our domestic supply chain. Here's how:
Supporting Local Farmers More Than Ever
We’re doubling down on partnerships with Canadian farmers, ranchers, and processors to reduce dependency on imports. This keeps more money in the local economy—and gives us better control over quality and sustainability.
Investing in Local Manufacturing
From packaging to processing, we’re looking for Canadian-made solutions wherever possible. While this sometimes costs more upfront, it provides long-term stability and reduces our vulnerability to foreign policy shifts.
Creating More Canadian Jobs
By keeping more of our operations in Canada, we’re helping generate local employment—from the people who source ingredients to those who prepare, pack, and ship your pet’s food.
What Can You Do as a Customer?
Trade wars and tariffs might feel out of your hands, but there are ways you can make a difference:
Support Canadian Brands
Every time you buy from a Canadian-owned company like Canada Raw, you’re helping us weather the storm. Your support allows us to keep sourcing, producing, and delivering the high-quality raw pet food your pets deserve.
Stay Informed and Speak Up
If you’re passionate about affordable, accessible raw pet food, consider reaching out to local policymakers or trade organizations. Let them know how important this issue is for Canadian pet owners and businesses alike.
Buy in Bulk (When You Can)
Sometimes buying a little more upfront can help save costs in the long run—especially if prices are fluctuating due to external factors.
Final Thoughts: Our Commitment to You
Yes, tariffs and trade tensions create obstacles. But they also highlight why it's more important than ever to support resilient, transparent, and locally rooted businesses.
At Canada Raw, our mission remains unchanged: to provide safe, nutritious, high-quality raw pet food that helps your pets thrive. We’re committed to navigating these challenges with honesty, care, and a whole lot of love for animals.
Thanks for sticking with us—and for choosing Canadian products.
If you found this helpful or have questions about how any of this might impact the food your pet receives, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love hearing from fellow pet lovers.
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