Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) has withdrawn Whiskas and Pedigree pet food from its shelves after getting into a dispute with a second supplier in in a fortnight.
Britain's largest grocer has halted the pet food brands made by American multinational Mars Inc after a new row over price increases.
Mars also owns pet food brands including Sheba and Royal Canin cat food, and Cesar dog food, though its chocolate and confectionery products are not affected.
This is the second fortnight in a row that the supermarket chain has fallen out with a major supplier, following an earlier dispute with Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC), the maker of baked beans, ketchup, and soup.
Tesco has yet to resolve its row with Heinz, with supplies halted last week over price increases believed to be more than 30%.
Supermarkets say they are seeking to limit the amount they must pass on to customers as a result of suppliers passing on rising costs to them, and the public spat is seen as a way for the supermarket to promote its efforts to keep prices low.
But suppliers are also battling with increased input costs, as are food processors and farmers.
Retail analyst Nick Bubb said Mars and Heinz are "standing up to Tesco".
Several years ago, Tesco pulled brands such as Marmite and Ben & Jerry's from its shelves several years ago due to a dispute with Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR), but within 24 hours of the row going public, a deal was reached between both companies.
As the UK's largest retailer, Tesco is reportedly using its clout to head off price rises that suppliers are implementing across the industry as a result of increases in energy, fuel, labour, packaging, and raw materials.
"With household budgets under increasing pressure, now more than ever we have a responsibility to ensure customers get the best possible value, and we will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers," a Tesco spokesperson told the Guardian.
A spokesperson for Mars said although some items were out of stock at Tesco, the company wanted to reassure pet owners that its products were "widely available" in the UK.