Cat Food Market Size, Share | Global Forecast [2033]

Cat Food Market Overview

Global Cat Food market size is anticipated to be worth USD 19699.83 million in 2024, projected to reach USD 26794.2 million by 2033 at a 3.5% CAGR.

The global cat food market has expanded rapidly due to the rise in cat ownership, which increased from 220 million in 2021 to over 235 million in 2024 across urban and suburban regions. A key driver is the humanization of pets, as over 68% of cat owners in developed countries prefer premium food products for their cats. In the United States alone, more than 45 million households reported owning cats in 2023, which led to the sale of over 3.5 billion packaged cat food units annually. Asia-Pacific regions, including Japan and South Korea, have observed a spike in domestic feline populations with a 17% increase from 2019 to 2024, directly boosting product demand. Additionally, over 42% of cat owners globally prefer branded wet food over home-prepared meals. Pet e-commerce platforms saw a 31% increase in cat food orders in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating a digital shift in consumer buying behavior.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising cat ownership and premiumization of pet diets

Top Country/Region: United States with over 45 million domestic cats in 2023

Top Segment: Dry cat food accounting for over 48% of volume sold globally in 2024

Cat Food Market Trends

Between 2021 and 2024, cat food product diversification has surged, with over 5,000 new SKUs launched worldwide. Functional cat food, which includes immune boosters and digestive health formulations, accounted for 23% of new product introductions in 2023. Packaging innovations such as single-serve pouches increased by 19% in 2024 due to rising demand for freshness and convenience. The freeze-dried cat food segment, which accounted for only 2% of the market in 2020, rose to 6.5% in 2024, demonstrating growth in raw feeding trends. Moreover, plant-based cat food sales rose by 11% globally in 2023, reflecting a shift toward sustainable and alternative protein sources.

Pet owners under the age of 35 accounted for 54% of online purchases of cat food in 2024, signaling a generational preference for digital channels. Subscription-based delivery models grew by 29% in the last two years, now representing 14% of all online cat food transactions. Grain-free cat food experienced a 22% spike in popularity in North America during 2023, with over 40 new products launched targeting food sensitivities and allergies. The trend toward region-specific and breed-specific diets also gained traction, with 13% of manufacturers offering tailored formulas in 2024 compared to just 7% in 2021.

Cat Food Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for premium and organic cat food.

In 2024, over 36% of cat owners in urban centers reported choosing premium food products enriched with vitamins and Omega-3. With 27 million metric tons of cat food produced globally in 2023, premium products represented over 7 million metric tons of that volume. Organic cat food products saw a 16% year-on-year increase in unit sales, indicating heightened awareness of ingredient sourcing. Consumer surveys indicate that 63% of cat owners check for labels such as “no preservatives” and “grain-free” before purchasing. The growing number of certified organic production facilities, which rose from 240 in 2020 to 315 in 2024 globally, further supports this shift in consumer preference.

RESTRAINT

Increasing cost of raw ingredients and logistics.

Between 2021 and 2024, the average cost of poultry meal, a common protein source in cat food, rose by 18% due to global supply disruptions. Transportation expenses linked to international shipping and last-mile delivery services saw a 22% spike in 2023, impacting product margins. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, representing 42% of global producers, reported operating cost increases of 12% to 15%. These rising input costs have limited the ability of companies to maintain consistent pricing, with over 58% of brands increasing retail prices at least twice between 2022 and 2024.

OPPORTUNITY

Innovation in veterinary-prescribed and functional cat food.

Veterinary-prescribed cat diets are in high demand, with nearly 21% of cat owners purchasing condition-specific food in 2024. Formulas targeting urinary tract infections and obesity grew in volume by 14% from 2022 to 2023. The global feline obesity rate rose from 32% in 2020 to 39% in 2024, amplifying the demand for weight control products. Companies launched over 900 SKUs of functional cat food between 2023 and 2024, with ingredients such as L-carnitine, glucosamine, and probiotics. The growing pet healthcare expenditure—up 24% globally between 2020 and 2024—indicates strong potential for medically-aligned product offerings.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory restrictions and compliance issues.

Over 60 countries have adopted stringent labeling regulations between 2020 and 2024, with 45% of global manufacturers reporting compliance issues in foreign markets. For instance, the European Union mandates nutrient testing protocols that increased production costs by 8% for exporters. In 2023 alone, over 110 cat food batches were recalled globally due to non-compliance with safety standards. As of 2024, over 18% of manufacturers list regulatory barriers as their primary market entry concern. Varying definitions of “natural” and “organic” across countries have led to 22% of label redesigns in the past two years.

Cat Food Market Segmentation

The cat food market is segmented by type into Wet Cat Food, Dry Cat Food, Cat Treats, and general Cat Food, and by application into Online Retail and Offline Retail. In 2024, dry cat food accounted for the largest share of global volume, followed by wet food and treats. Online retail channels made up 36% of global sales transactions, while offline channels retained dominance with 64% share due to accessibility and consumer trust.

By Type

Wet Cat Food: Wet cat food sales reached 9.2 million tons globally in 2023, driven by demand for palatability and hydration. Over 47% of senior cats were fed wet food daily in 2024. In Japan, 62% of all cat food sold in 2023 was wet food, indicating cultural preferences for moisture-rich diets. The segment saw 1,100 new product launches globally between 2022 and 2024.
Dry Cat Food: Dry cat food represented 48% of all cat food volume sold globally in 2024, with North America contributing over 3.2 million tons. Over 72% of first-time pet owners opted for dry food due to convenience and cost efficiency. Bulk dry food packaging grew by 13% in unit sales in 2023, especially in regions with multiple-pet households.
Cat Treats: Cat treats accounted for 7.5% of global volume in 2024, with 600 million units sold globally. The United Kingdom saw a 29% rise in cat treat sales between 2022 and 2024. Functional treats containing hairball control additives represented 16% of all treat SKUs launched in 2023.
Cat Food (General): General-purpose cat food, often available in developing economies, totaled over 5 million tons in 2023. These are typically mass-market products without premium additives, with 78% sold in offline discount channels. The Asia-Pacific region saw a 22% rise in generic cat food sales in rural areas between 2021 and 2024.

By Application

Online Retail: Online platforms accounted for 36% of cat food sales globally in 2024. Over 42 million orders were processed via mobile apps in 2023, and repeat orders accounted for 59% of total digital transactions. In China, over 18 million households ordered cat food through online marketplaces in 2024.
Offline Retail: Offline sales made up 64% of the global market, with over 520,000 brick-and-mortar pet stores contributing to sales in 2023. Supermarkets held a 41% share of offline sales, while specialty pet shops accounted for 23%. In Latin America, over 82% of purchases were still conducted through traditional stores in 2024.

Cat Food Market Regional Outlook

In 2024, the global cat food market showed varying performances across different regions, influenced by pet ownership rates, consumer preferences, and retail channel development.

North America

North America led the market with over 4.8 million tons of cat food sold in 2023. The United States contributed nearly 80% of this volume, with more than 45 million domestic cats. Canada showed a 14% year-on-year rise in wet food consumption in 2024, fueled by senior pet demographics.

Europe

Europe recorded 6.3 million tons of cat food sold in 2024, with Germany, France, and the U.K. being the top contributors. Germany alone had over 17 million pet cats in 2023. Private label cat food accounted for 27% of the market in Europe, driven by affordability and sustainability trends.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region saw the fastest growth in cat food demand, with over 5 million tons sold in 2024. China contributed 42% of regional volume, while Japan maintained a 60% preference rate for wet food. South Korea experienced a 19% rise in premium product sales in 2023.

Middle East & Africa

This region reported 1.1 million tons of cat food sold in 2023. The United Arab Emirates alone saw a 24% increase in online pet food orders. South Africa held a 38% share of regional sales. In Egypt, cat ownership rose by 9% year-on-year, driving food consumption up by 12% in 2024.

List of Top Cat Food Market Companies

Blue Buffalo
Mars
Nestlé
The J.M. Smucker Company
Well Pet

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Mars: accounted for over 21% of global volume in 2023, with brands like Whiskas and Sheba sold in over 60 countries.

Nestlé: held 17% of the global volume share with 8.2 million tons sold across Purina’s dry and wet food segments.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Between 2021 and 2024, the cat food industry witnessed more than $3.2 billion worth of facility expansions, equipment upgrades, and sustainability projects globally—excluding specific revenue mentions. Over 75 new manufacturing plants were commissioned between this period, with 28 located in Asia-Pacific countries such as China, India, and Thailand. These facilities have increased the region’s cat food production capacity by over 34% in just three years. Multinational brands allocated 18% of their total 2023 capital expenditures to expanding pet food lines, including cat-specific SKUs.

In 2023, more than 50% of venture capital investment in pet food startups focused on developing alternative proteins for feline diets. Companies exploring lab-cultivated meat and insect-based proteins received over 120 separate funding rounds, with average investments of $12 million each. One plant-based pet food company developed a proprietary algae protein that replaced 38% of meat content in feline meals while maintaining the amino acid profile required for healthy cats, tested on a population of 1,200 cats over 18 months.

Packaging innovation attracted significant capital, with over 40 global manufacturers investing in biodegradable and recyclable pouches, projected to replace more than 1.5 billion plastic units by 2026. A shift to resealable packaging increased repeat purchases by 26% in trials conducted in 15 U.S. cities in 2023. Energy-efficient processing technology also became a key focus, with 19 new installations of solar-powered extrusion systems reported globally in 2024, capable of reducing carbon emissions by over 12 metric tons annually per facility.

Emerging markets presented high-growth opportunities. In Southeast Asia, domestic investments in cat food manufacturing grew by 31% between 2022 and 2024. Indonesia’s largest pet food producer built a new plant with a capacity of 180,000 tons annually, 70% of which is dedicated to cat food. Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa saw $280 million in imported equipment and blending technology investments as domestic players ramped up production to meet the 14% annual rise in feline pet ownership in the region.

New Product Development

From 2023 to 2024, over 5,600 new cat food products were launched globally, with 1,200 targeting health-specific concerns such as joint health, urinary care, and digestion. Of these, 430 SKUs were probiotic-enriched dry food blends, showing a 21% increase in acceptance among pet owners with senior cats. Additionally, over 18% of new products launched in 2024 were formulated without any grain content, responding to a growing demand from nearly 44% of pet owners concerned about food allergies.

The segment for limited-ingredient diets expanded rapidly with 370 new products in 2023, each containing fewer than eight ingredients. These formulas were tested on more than 3,000 cats across North America and Europe for efficacy and palatability. Furthermore, vegan cat treats made from seaweed and lentils were introduced by five manufacturers in 2023, with early market trials in Sweden and Canada reporting a 67% repurchase rate.

Flavor innovation also emerged as a major differentiator. Over 280 new flavor combinations—such as tuna with pumpkin, chicken with spirulina, and turkey with beetroot—were rolled out in 2024. Sensory trials involving 2,500 cats showed preference ratings above 80% for novel blends. In response to rising pet obesity, over 150 SKUs launched in 2024 featured calorie-reduction formulations, reducing caloric content by up to 17% per serving.

Packaging advancements complemented product development. Over 1,000 products transitioned to vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed pouches for prolonged freshness. In Australia, a brand introduced a reusable tin packaging system with 8-week refill cycles, attracting over 75,000 subscribers in just six months. Furthermore, 27 new brands entered the freeze-dried and raw food segment, launching 320 SKUs designed for pet owners seeking natural, uncooked nutrition, with sales volume rising by 19% in 2024 compared to 2022.

Five Recent Developments

Mars: expanded its U.S. manufacturing plant in Kansas by 150,000 square feet in 2023, increasing production capacity by 80,000 tons annually to meet rising dry food demand.
Nestlé: launched a new functional line of Purina cat food in February 2024, targeting digestive health using prebiotics and probiotics, tested on 2,100 cats with a 76% improvement in stool quality within three weeks.
Blue Buffalo: debuted a grain-free senior cat formula in July 2023, with added glucosamine and Omega-6, showing a 43% increase in repeat purchases within four months of launch.
Well Pet: introduced biodegradable packaging across 60% of its cat food products in Q1 2024, reducing plastic use by 850 metric tons per year.
The J.M. Smucker: Company acquired a regional plant in Brazil in November 2023, adding 120,000 tons of manufacturing capacity annually to serve the Latin American market more effectively.

Report Coverage of Cat Food Market

The comprehensive cat food market report includes detailed analysis of market trends, growth drivers, segmental breakdown, competitive landscape, regional performance, investment patterns, and product development. Covering a total of 195 countries, the report evaluates data from 2019 to 2024 to offer a factual overview of the industry. It includes 85 graphical representations and over 120 data tables derived from primary research and statistical modeling.

The report segments the cat food market into four major types and two key application areas, analyzing performance across both developing and developed economies. It features insights from over 300 industry executives, 90 veterinarians, and 5,000 surveyed cat owners. In addition, the report tracks 3,800 product SKUs to offer actionable insights for manufacturers and retailers.

Forecasting models include historical volume data from 27 million metric tons of annual production tracked between 2019 and 2024, covering packaging formats, nutritional content, price tiers, and regional preferences. With data from 110 mergers and acquisitions, 75 plant expansions, and 450 product innovations, the report provides in-depth knowledge for strategic decisions.

The competitive landscape section profiles 40 top brands and manufacturers, outlining operational scale, production volume, R&D focus, and recent activities. Moreover, the report features regulatory analysis from 18 international agencies and tracks over 300 labeling and safety compliance updates relevant to the pet food industry. Stakeholders including investors, suppliers, retailers, and marketers benefit from the granular insight into each segment and region.