US GDP per capita

American pet food sales rose with GDP per capita, which is at least flattering to the dogs. The economy grew, and the kibble grew with it. There is an argument here about who exactly is benefiting from prosperity, but it is best not to make it within earshot of a Labrador.

The relationship here is unusually plausible: as US GDP per capita grew through the 2010s and pet humanization accelerated, owners spent more discretionary income on premium food, treats, and special diets. It's not exactly causal in the strict sense, but it isn't pure coincidence either — pet spending tracks discretionary income with grim reliability.

So the correlation is the only one in the chart that almost makes economic sense. Wealthier Americans bought their dogs nicer food. The dogs noticed.