Pet Snacks and Treats Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Eatables, Chewables), By Pet Type (Dog, Cat, Others), By Sales Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Pet Specialty Stores, Online, Others), By Region, By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.28 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 13.10 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Pet Snacks and Treats Market will grow from USD 9.28 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.10 Billion by 2031 at a 5.91% CAGR. Pet snacks and treats are defined as complementary dietary products designed for companion animals, intended primarily for training rewards, behavioral enrichment, or specific health benefits rather than serving as complete daily meals. The expansion of this global market is fundamentally supported by the increasing humanization of pets, where owners view animals as family members deserving of high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Furthermore, rising awareness of animal wellness drives the demand for functional drivers such as dental hygiene support and anxiety relief, sustaining value growth distinct from transient product fads.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the ongoing pressure of global inflation, which forces price-sensitive consumers to reduce spending on discretionary non-essential items. This economic strain can lead to trading down to value brands or reduced purchase frequency, directly impacting revenue. According to the European Pet Food Industry Federation, in 2025, dog treats accounted for 24% of the total European pet food market value despite representing only 9% of the volume, underscoring the segment's reliance on premium pricing which remains vulnerable to economic instability.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing prevalence of pet humanization and pet parenting trends serves as a primary catalyst for market expansion. As owners perceive animals as family, there is a distinct shift toward premiumization, where nutritional value takes precedence over cost. This drives significant expenditure on high-quality consumables that mirror human dietary standards. According to the American Pet Products Association, March 2024, in the 'State of the Industry' presentation, U.S. spending on the pet food and treats category reached $64.4 billion in 2023. This consumer willingness to invest is further evidenced by global manufacturing performance; according to Nestlé, February 2024, in the '2023 Annual Report', their PetCare division achieved an organic growth rate of 12.1%, outperforming all other business segments and validating the sector's resilience.

Concurrently, the expansion of e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer channels is reshaping accessibility. The digital shelf optimizes visibility for niche wellness brands while subscription models ensure consistent purchasing volume, insulating manufacturers from sporadic buying patterns. This digital shift is quantified by major retailer performance. According to Chewy, Inc., March 2024, in the 'Fiscal Year 2023 Shareholder Letter', Autoship customer sales generated $8.5 billion, representing over 76% of total net sales. This high volume of recurring orders illustrates how automated replenishment and digital convenience have become critical drivers for sustained revenue in the treats market.

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Key Market Challenges

Global inflation significantly impedes the growth of the pet snacks and treats market by eroding consumer purchasing power and altering expenditure on discretionary items. As the cost of living increases, pet owners are compelled to prioritize essential complete diets over complementary products, often viewing treats as luxuries that can be reduced from weekly shopping lists. This financial constraint forces a migration away from high-margin, human-grade offerings toward economy alternatives, disrupting the premiumization trend that has historically accelerated sector value.

The impact of this economic strain is evident in the pressure on volume sales as buyers become increasingly price-sensitive. Manufacturers face the difficulty of managing rising input costs while consumers simultaneously resist higher price points for non-essential rewards. According to the American Pet Products Association, in 2024, the U.S. pet food and treat sector reached $65.8 billion in sales, underscoring the significant scale of revenue that remains exposed to these shifting spending behaviors. When consumers tighten their belts, the reduced capacity for discretionary indulgence directly curtails the market's ability to sustain its prior rapid expansion rates.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of functional treats targeting preventive health and wellness has shifted consumer purchasing behavior from seeking generic rewards to prioritizing formulations with tangible medical benefits. Pet owners are increasingly selecting snacks engineered to address specific conditions such as digestive irregularity, anxiety, and joint mobility, effectively merging dietary supplementation with behavioral enrichment. This demand for utility-driven nutrition is reshaping product portfolios, as manufacturers fortify offerings with probiotics, calming botanicals, and clinical-grade supplements to retain value during economic downturns. According to International Petfood, February 2025, in the article 'Purina faces economic challenges amid soft consumer demand in 2024', Purina PetCare achieved sales of CHF 18.9 billion for the full year, with performance primarily sustained by functional premium lines such as Purina ProPlan despite broader category slowdowns.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing the substantial utilization of upcycled ingredients for sustainable production, driven by a dual imperative to lower carbon footprints and minimize supply chain waste. Brands are actively incorporating nutrient-dense byproducts from the human food industry, such as vegetable pomace and organ meats, into treat formulations to appeal to eco-conscious buyers without compromising nutritional integrity. This transition not only validates the circular economy model within the pet sector but also stabilizes input costs by valorizing previously discarded resources. According to the Pet Food Institute, April 2025, in the '2025 Pet Food Production and Ingredient Analysis' report, U.S. manufacturers utilized over 3 million tons of upcycled ingredients in dog food production during 2024, underscoring the scale of this adoption.

Segmental Insights

The online distribution channel currently represents the fastest-growing segment within the global pet snacks and treats market, driven primarily by the increasing consumer demand for convenience and accessibility. E-commerce platforms provide pet owners with access to an extensive variety of niche and functional dietary options that are frequently limited in physical retail locations. The widespread adoption of subscription-based purchasing models further accelerates this expansion by ensuring consistent product availability and simplified repeat ordering for recurring needs. Moreover, digital retailers offer detailed ingredient transparency and user reviews, empowering buyers to make educated decisions regarding product quality and safety.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Pet Snacks and Treats Market, a position reinforced by extensive pet ownership data tracked by the American Pet Products Association. This dominance is primarily driven by the humanization of pets, where owners view animals as family members and prioritize premium, functional, and natural ingredients. Furthermore, the region benefits from a rigorous regulatory environment supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials. These institutions establish strict safety and labeling standards, fostering strong consumer confidence and ensuring the consistent quality of products available across the United States and Canada.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Vegdog expanded its product portfolio beyond canine offerings with the launch of a new line of microbial-fermented vegan treats for cats. The Munich-based food technology company introduced "Pure Bites," a hypoallergenic snack formulated with biomass-fermented protein derived from a partnership with an alternative protein specialist. This sustainable ingredient provided a high protein content with a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to conventional meat. The product release marked a strategic move to address the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and plant-based options within the feline segment of the global pet care market.
• In November 2024, General Mills entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the North American premium cat feeding and pet treating business of Whitebridge Pet Brands in a transaction valued at $1.45 billion. This strategic acquisition included the Tiki Pets and Cloud Star portfolios, which were recognized as growth leaders in the pet specialty and e-commerce channels. The company stated that these brands would complement its existing Blue Buffalo portfolio and strengthen its position in the cat feeding and treats segments. The deal also involved the assumption of operations at two manufacturing facilities in Missouri.
• In March 2024, Purina DentaLife announced the expansion of its dental care product line with the launch of Puppy Teething Chews. These new treats were specifically designed to address the unique oral health needs of puppies, featuring a chewy texture that massaged gums and helped clean teeth. The product contained calcium to support strong teeth and bones and was formulated without artificial colors or flavors. This launch aimed to provide pet owners with a dedicated solution for puppy dental hygiene, reinforcing the brand's commitment to specialized care for pets at different life stages.
• In February 2024, Hill’s Pet Nutrition achieved a significant research milestone in its collaboration with Bond Pet Foods by receiving the first two metric tons of animal protein created through precision fermentation. This delivery allowed the company to begin formulating and testing new products using the sustainable, nature-identical ingredient. Concurrently, the partners announced a second joint development agreement to create an additional fermented animal protein for potential use in future dietary formulations. This advancement highlighted the industry’s shift toward alternative proteins that meet the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats while reducing reliance on traditional livestock.

Key Market Players

• Mars, Incorporated
• Nestlé
• Schell & Kampeter, Inc.
• The J.M. Smucker Company
• Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
• Addiction Foods
• Wellness Pet Company
• Spectrum Brands, Inc.
• Unicharm Corporation
• Blue Buffalo Co., Ltd

By Product	By Pet Type	By Sales Channel	By Region
Eatables Chewables	Dog Cat Others	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Pet Specialty Stores Online Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Pet Snacks and Treats Market, By Product:

• Eatables
• Chewables

• Pet Snacks and Treats Market, By Pet Type:

• Dog
• Cat
• Others

• Pet Snacks and Treats Market, By Sales Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Pet Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others

• Pet Snacks and Treats 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