Wet Pet Food Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Cat food, Dog food, Others ), By Distribution Channel (Pet-specialty stores and vet clinics, Supermarkets and hypermarkets, Convenience stores, Others), By Region, and By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 27.03 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.81%
Fastest Growing Segment	Dog food
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 35.83 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Wet Pet Food Market will grow from USD 27.03 Billion in 2025 to USD 35.83 Billion by 2031 at a 4.81% CAGR. Wet pet food is defined as commercial sustenance characterized by a moisture content typically between 60% and 80%, preserved through sterilization in sealed packaging such as cans, pouches, or trays. The market’s growth is fundamentally supported by the humanization of companion animals, where owners prioritize nutrition akin to human standards, and a heightened awareness of the health benefits associated with high-protein, hydration-rich diets. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in 2024, U.S. sales of pet food and treats totaled $65.8 billion, underscoring the significant financial investment owners are dedicating to animal nutrition.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the reduced convenience and shelf stability of wet formats compared to dry alternatives. Once opened, these products require immediate refrigeration and have a strictly limited consumption window to prevent spoilage, posing logistical difficulties for many households. This perishability, combined with a higher price point per calorie, presents a substantial barrier to adoption for cost-conscious consumers and those prioritizing the storage simplicity of dry food.

Key Market Drivers

The rising trend of pet humanization and premiumization is significantly reshaping the global wet pet food landscape, as owners increasingly prioritize nutrition that mirrors human quality standards. This emotional bond drives the consumption of high-value wet formats, such as stews, broths, and casseroles, which command higher price points and sustain revenue growth even amidst broader volume pressures. Manufacturers are capitalizing on this dynamic by enhancing their product mix with superior, human-grade ingredients, a strategy that effectively bolsters financial performance. For example, according to Petfood Industry, January 2025, the operating profit for General Mills' pet segment increased 9% to $486 million in fiscal 2024, driven largely by favorable price realization and mix improvements in their premium portfolio.

Simultaneously, the growing demand for functional and specific dietary formulations is fueling innovation, particularly regarding ingredients that support urinary health, hydration, and skin condition. Wet food is uniquely positioned to deliver these benefits due to its high moisture content, and producers are increasingly fortifying recipes with specialized nutrients like omega fatty acids to appeal to health-conscious buyers. Highlighting this dramatic shift toward functional ingredients, according to International Pet Food, April 2025, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) reported that the use of marine ingredients in pet food increased by 95% in 2024. This focus on specialized, high-quality nutrition contributes to the industry's robust economic footprint, with the Pet Food Institute, April 2025, revealing that U.S. pet food manufacturers generated $51.7 billion in sales in 2024.

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Key Market Challenges

The reduced convenience and shelf stability of wet pet food formats significantly impedes broader market expansion. Unlike dry kibble which can be stored at room temperature for extended periods, wet food requires immediate refrigeration once the packaging is opened. This perishability imposes a strict consumption window to ensure safety and quality, creating a logistical burden for pet owners. Households with busy lifestyles often find this requirement incompatible with their need for flexible feeding routines, as wet food cannot be left out for grazing without rapidly spoiling.

This storage constraint further exacerbates the economic barriers associated with the product. Since wet formats already command a higher price point per calorie, the risk of spoilage leads to potential financial waste if the animal does not consume the entire portion immediately. This factor deters cost-conscious consumers who might otherwise upgrade their pet's diet. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2025 Dog & Cat Report, 49 million U.S. households owned a cat, representing a vast consumer base that typically favors wet formulations. However, the practical challenges of storage and waste continue to limit the frequency of wet food adoption within this expanding demographic.

Key Market Trends

The rising popularity of wet food as meal toppers and mixers represents a fundamental shift in feeding behaviors, allowing owners to enhance palatability without the high expense of a full wet diet. This format serves as a strategic bridge, enabling consumers to customize dry kibble with moisture-rich additions that boost hydration and flavor, thereby addressing the demand for high-quality nutrition at a more accessible price point. This segment is experiencing an explosive trajectory; according to Petfood Industry, June 2025, in the '4 Key Trends Shaping the Pet Food Industry' report, the volume of dog food mixers and toppers has increased by 129% since 2018, while cat food equivalents surged by 138% over the same period. This usage pattern effectively mitigates the economic barriers of exclusive wet feeding while satisfying the owner's desire to provide variety.

Simultaneously, the industry is aggressively adopting recyclable and eco-friendly wet food packaging solutions to counter the environmental waste associated with single-serve formats. Manufacturers are transitioning from complex, multi-layered films to advanced mono-material polymers that retain the necessary heat resistance for sterilization while remaining compatible with standard recycling streams. This operational pivot aligns production standards with the values of eco-conscious buyers who increasingly scrutinize the ecological footprint of pet care products. Highlighting this industrial advancement, according to Mars, Incorporated, July 2025, in a press release regarding the 'Sustainable in a Generation Plan', the company's new mono-material pouch for its Whiskas brand achieved a 46% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional multi-layer packaging. This innovation enables producers to maintain the convenience of pouches while neutralizing the ecological criticism often directed at wet pet food waste.

Segmental Insights

The dog food segment represents the fastest-growing category within the global wet pet food market, driven by a rising emphasis on canine health and hydration. Owners increasingly prefer wet formulations due to their high palatability and moisture content, which are beneficial for digestion and weight management. This demand is further supported by the introduction of verified ingredients aligning with safety standards monitored by agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, manufacturers are expanding their wet product lines to cater to educated consumers seeking nutritionally complete diets for their pets.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Wet Pet Food Market, driven principally by substantial pet ownership rates and the enduring trend of pet humanization. Consumers in the United States increasingly prioritize nutrition and hydration, prompting a shift toward premium wet formats perceived as closer to natural diets. This demand is reinforced by a robust retail ecosystem and rigorous safety standards maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which ensure high product quality. These factors collectively foster strong consumer confidence, encouraging consistent spending on specialized wet pet food products throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, General Mills announced the strategic expansion of its North American pet portfolio by introducing the European premium brand Edgard & Cooper to the United States. Through an exclusive retail partnership, the company launched Edgard & Cooper’s diverse product range, which features wet food recipes made with fresh meat and nutritious fruits and vegetables. This initiative brought the brand’s sustainability-focused wet diets, known for their ethical sourcing and eco-friendly packaging, to a new audience. The move was intended to strengthen the company’s position in the premium wet pet food category and appeal to younger, values-driven pet owners.
• In August 2024, Wellness Pet Company expanded its premium offerings by launching a new line of wet cat food, Wellness Appetizing Entrées, at the SuperZoo industry event. The innovative product range introduced nine protein-rich recipes available in mousse, flaked, and shredded textures, designed to promote healthy hydration and support vital signs of well-being. Formulated with high-quality ingredients like real chicken and tuna, these grain-free wet diets aim to satisfy the specific texture preferences of cats. This launch highlights the company's commitment to delivering natural, scientifically balanced wet food options that cater to the premiumization trend in the global market.
• In March 2024, UK-based cultivated meat company Meatly partnered with the novel protein pet food brand Omni to create the world's first canned cat food featuring cultivated chicken as the primary protein source. This breakthrough collaboration involved replacing traditional animal meat with sustainable, lab-grown chicken ingredients while maintaining the texture and palatability essential for wet cat food. The initiative aimed to validate the commercial viability of cultivated meat in the global wet pet food sector, offering a solution that addresses ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability concerns without compromising the nutritional integrity required for feline diets.
• In January 2024, Hill's Pet Nutrition announced significant advancements in its therapeutic portfolio with the introduction of new wet food options within its Prescription Diet line. The company unveiled innovative wet flavors for its c/d Multicare Stress Feline products, such as Vegetable & Tuna Stew, which are scientifically formulated to support urinary health and manage stress in cats. These new offerings were developed using the company's proprietary taste technology to ensure high acceptance among pets while addressing complex medical conditions. The launch represented a strategic effort to enhance the palatability of veterinary-exclusive wet diets and improve compliance for pet owners managing their cats' health.

Key Market Players

• Beaphar Beheer BV
• Champion Petfoods
• Colgate Palmolive Co.
• De Haan Petfood
• FirstMate Pet Foods
• Harringtons Pet Food
• Mars Inc.
• Nestle S.A
• Phelps Pet Products
• Schell and Kampeter Inc.

By Product	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Cat food Dog food Others	Pet-specialty stores and vet clinics Supermarkets and hypermarkets Convenience stores Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Wet Pet Food Market, By Product:

• Cat food
• Dog food
• Others

• Wet Pet Food Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Pet-specialty stores and vet clinics
• Supermarkets and hypermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Others

• Wet Pet 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