Cat Food Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Dry Food, Wet Food, Treats & Snacks, and Others), By Nature (Organic, Conventional), By Sales Channel (Specialized Pet Shops, Online, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Others), By Region, By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 37.26 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.94%
Fastest Growing Segment	Dry Food
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 49.76 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Cat Food Market will grow from USD 37.26 Billion in 2025 to USD 49.76 Billion by 2031 at a 4.94% CAGR. The Global Cat Food Market comprises commercially manufactured nutritional formulations, including wet, dry, and treat varieties, specifically engineered to satisfy the dietary and metabolic requirements of domesticated felines. The primary drivers sustaining this market include rapid global urbanization, which favors cats as suitable low-maintenance companions for compact living spaces, and a fundamental shift in household demographics toward solitary living, necessitating animal companionship. Underscoring the expanding consumer base, according to the American Pet Products Association, in 2025, it was reported that cat ownership in the United States increased by 23% in 2024, marking a significant surge that directly correlates with heightened demand for specialized nutrition products.

However, a substantial challenge impeding broader market expansion is the ongoing volatility in global raw material supply chains and the resulting inflationary pressure on production costs. Manufacturers encounter persistent difficulties in securing consistent, cost-effective access to quality proteins and essential ingredients, forcing price adjustments that may reduce product affordability and stifle volume growth in price-sensitive emerging markets.

Key Market Drivers

The Expansion of Premium and Super-Premium Product Categories acts as a primary catalyst for market value growth, driven by pet owners increasingly prioritizing higher-quality nutrition that mirrors human dietary trends. This premiumization strategy insulates revenue streams against volume fluctuations, as consumers remain willing to invest in superior formulations for their feline companions. According to Petfood Industry, July 2025, in the 'Purina PetCare sales down in H1 2025, but still growing' article, Nestlé Purina PetCare generated CHF 9.2 billion in sales during the first half of the year, with organic growth specifically led by super-premium science brands such as Purina Pro Plan. This performance highlights a distinct consumer preference for high-value products over economy options, compelling manufacturers to focus on tier-one offerings.

Concurrently, the Rising Demand for Functional and Health-Specific Formulations is compelling manufacturers to innovate with diet-specific solutions addressing longevity, weight management, and urinary health. This shift necessitates significant capital expenditure in specialized manufacturing capabilities to ensure precise nutrient profiles that meet veterinary standards. According to Mars, Incorporated, May 2025, in the 'Mars builds on long-term U.S. investment with the opening of new $450 million Royal Canin facility in Ohio' press release, the company opened a $450 million manufacturing site dedicated to producing science-based health nutrition for pets. Highlighting the broader economic scale supported by these advanced nutritional requirements, according to the Pet Food Institute, in 2025, the U.S. dog and cat food sector reported $51.7 billion in sales for 2024.

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Key Market Challenges

Ongoing volatility in global raw material supply chains and the resulting inflationary pressure on production costs significantly hampers the sustainable growth of the Global Cat Food Market. Manufacturers are contending with unpredictable availability of core ingredients, such as animal proteins and grains, which forces immediate increases in operational expenditures. To maintain margins, these escalated costs are passed to consumers, leading to higher retail prices that often outpace general inflation. This dynamic creates a barrier to entry for new pet owners and forces existing budget-conscious consumers to trade down to lower-quality alternatives or strictly ration premium products, thereby stifling volume growth in emerging and price-sensitive regions.

The severity of this cost-volume disconnect is highlighted by recent industry metrics. According to the Pet Food Institute, in 2024, the cost of agricultural ingredients purchased by pet food manufacturers reached $13.2 billion, representing a 91% increase in expenditure since 2018 despite only a 7% increase in ingredient volume. This data demonstrates that the market's monetary expansion is largely driven by input inflation rather than genuine increases in production output or consumer demand.

Key Market Trends

The Proliferation of Fresh, Freeze-Dried, and Raw Diet Formats is fundamentally reshaping the market landscape as owners increasingly seek less processed, nutrient-dense alternatives to traditional heat-extruded kibble. This trend is anchored in the humanization of feline diets, where refrigeration and cold-chain logistics are leveraged to preserve bioavailability without relying on heavy preservatives. The growth in this sector is not merely niche but reflects a broad consumer pivot toward highly palatable, moisture-rich options that better mimic a feline's ancestral diet. Demonstrating the rapid scaling of this category, according to Freshpet, November 2024, in the 'Freshpet, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results', the company reported net sales of $253.4 million, a 26.3% increase over the prior year period, primarily driven by volume gains in their fresh product lines.

Simultaneously, the Integration of Upcycled and Sustainably Sourced Ingredients has moved from a fringe concept to a central formulation strategy for major producers. Manufacturers are actively reducing their environmental footprint by utilizing high-quality by-products from the human food supply chain, such as organ meats and vegetable pomace, which aligns with the industry’s circular economy goals. This approach addresses both sustainability concerns and the need for cost-efficient, protein-rich inputs in a high-inflation environment. Validating the scale of this adoption, according to the Pet Food Institute, April 2025, in the '2025 Pet Food Production and Ingredient Analysis Report', manufacturers incorporated over 1 million tons of upcycled ingredients specifically into cat food formulations during 2024.

Segmental Insights

The dry food segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the global cat food market due to its exceptional convenience and functional benefits. Owners favor these products for their extended shelf life and the ability to facilitate grazing behavior without spoilage. Additionally, formulations adhering to nutritional profiles established by organizations like the Association of American Feed Control Officials ensure dietary completeness, thereby bolstering consumer confidence. The abrasive texture of kibble also supports dental hygiene by minimizing plaque accumulation. Consequently, the combination of affordability, health advantages, and ease of storage drives the rising adoption of dry cat food.

Regional Insights

Europe maintains a dominant position in the global cat food market, driven by a high rate of cat ownership and rising demand for premium nutritional products. Consumers in this region increasingly prioritize high-quality ingredients and health-focused formulations for their pets. This market stability is supported by a strong regulatory framework, specifically the nutritional guidelines established by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). These strict standards regarding safety and composition foster high consumer trust. Consequently, the combination of an established pet care culture and rigorous industry regulation sustains Europe's leadership in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Hill's Pet Nutrition unveiled a new range of therapeutic products featuring its proprietary ActivBiome+ ingredient technology during a major veterinary industry conference. The launch included a breakthrough prescription diet specifically formulated for kittens to manage digestive upsets and rapidly activate the gut microbiome. The company highlighted that these innovations were derived from extensive research into pet microbiome data and utilized a specialized blend of prebiotic fibers to promote digestive health. This development represented a significant advancement in using science-led nutrition to address specific health needs in the global cat food market.
• In August 2024, Mars Petcare initiated a strategic collaboration with Big Idea Ventures and technology partners to launch a pilot program focused on sustainable pet nutrition. This cooperative effort was designed to accelerate the development of eco-friendly protein and fat alternatives by engaging with startups in the food technology sector. The program aimed to identify and scale novel ingredients, such as upcycled food waste and plant-based oils, to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of pet food production. This partnership underscored the company’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its supply chain for its extensive portfolio of dog and cat food brands.
• In July 2024, Meatly achieved a major scientific and regulatory breakthrough by securing approval to sell cultivated chicken meat within the United Kingdom pet food market. This milestone marked the first time a company in Europe received authorization to commercialize cultivated meat specifically for pets. Following this regulatory clearance, the company collaborated with a partner to produce the world’s first cans of cultivated chicken pet food, starting with a product tailored for cats. The cultivated meat, grown from cells without the use of antibiotics or harmful pathogens, was introduced as a sustainable, ethical protein alternative for the cat food industry.
• In April 2024, Royal Canin announced the expansion of its Veterinary Gastrointestinal portfolio with the launch of new tailored diet formulas specifically designed for pets with digestive issues. The innovation included a specialized hydrolyzed protein diet for cats, formulated to support long-term gastrointestinal health in felines experiencing food-responsive sensitivities. Executives stated that these new offerings were backed by robust scientific research and utilized a unique blend of highly digestible proteins and prebiotic fibers to nourish the intestinal microbiome. This product launch aimed to provide veterinarians with precise nutritional tools to manage common and complex digestive conditions in cats.

Key Market Players

• J.M Smucker
• Diamond Pet Foods
• Affinity Petcare SA
• Mars Petcare
• Nestle Purina PetCare Company
• Hill's Pet Nutrition
• Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company Inc.
• Fromm Family Foods LLC
• Nutro Products Inc.
• Blue Buffalo Company

By Type	By Nature	By Sales Channel	By Region
Dry Food Wet Food Treats & Snacks Others	Organic Conventional	Specialized Pet Shops Online Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Cat Food Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Cat Food Market, By Type:

• Dry Food
• Wet Food
• Treats & Snacks
• Others

• Cat Food Market, By Nature:

• Organic
• Conventional

• Cat Food Market, By Sales Channel:

• Specialized Pet Shops
• Online
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Others

• Cat Food Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE