Pet Food in the US, 19th Edition Report

Report Overview

Fresh and premium pet food innovations are powering growth in a market otherwise constrained by inflation-fatigued consumers.

Persistent cost pressures are prompting many pet owners to seek deals, delay new pet acquisitions, and scale back on nonessential purchases—yet pet food remains a protected, health-driven staple that continues to support market growth. Premium and alternative formulations such as fresh pet foods are outperforming the overall market, helping drive dog and cat food sales from nearly $54 billion in 2024 toward a projected $64 billion in 2029.

Key Themes Covered in this Report:

• Value-positioned products
• Health and wellness trends
• Alternative formulations including fresh, gently cooked and freeze-/air-dried

The post-pandemic era has seen Americans grappling with persistent inflation, and the elevated costs of pet products and services – on top of human essentials – have exacerbated the strain on pet owners, resulting in spending cutbacks, deferral of pet acquisitions, and pet relinquishment. In Packaged Facts’ January 2025 Survey of Pet Owners, 31% of pet owners reported that their ability to buy nonessentials had been negatively impacted by the economic environment, compared with 10% positively impacted. Although pet food inflation has subsided, its lingering impact can still be felt across the market. Many pet owners are seeking deals and value-positioned products to help make ends meet. Although some are shifting to lower-priced pet food options, others continue to spend on premium and superpremium fare, with fresh pet foods and other newer formulations achieving growth that has powered growth in the market overall.

Pet food’s position as a non-discretionary item has spared it some of the cutbacks in non-food supplies, and its ranking as the number one health and wellness product (as shown in Packaged Facts survey results) serves as a key driver for sales of higher-priced, premium pet foods. Packaged Facts projects that sales of dog and cat food will grow from nearly $54 billion in 2024 to over $64 billion in 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 3.2% for the period, slightly lower growth than that seen prior to the COVID era, with increases driven by alternative formulations such as fresh pet foods.

Featuring in-depth analysis of these and other factors contributing to the changes this market is experiencing, this completely revised 19th edition of Packaged Facts’ Pet Food in the US provides historical and projected overall sales (2019-2029), as well as separate sales tracking and projections for dog and cat food. The report also examines trends by form (dry, wet, semi-moist, frozen/refrigerated, and freeze-/air-dried), ingredients, and product claims across the full retail spectrum including online retailers, mass-market outlets, the pet specialty channel, and other channels. Relying on survey data from Packaged Facts’ proprietary January 2025 and September 2025 Surveys of Pet Owners, as well as MRI-Simmons Summer 2025 consumer study, Pet Food in the US provides a detailed look at pet owner sentiment and pet food usage by type, marketer, and brand. Other topics of discussion include cross-market trends; consumer expenditures; market opportunities; mergers and acquisitions; channel trends including e-commerce and omnichannel; and new product and marketing trends—all presented through the lens of the current economic environment.

Pet Food in the US Report Details

Opportunities in the Pet Food Market

The U.S. pet food market is undergoing rapid transformation as fresh, freeze-dried, and value-driven products reshape consumer expectations and retail strategies. Fresh pet food—especially refrigerated, frozen, and “gently cooked” options—has become one of the fastest-growing segments, driven by major players like Mars, General Mills, Nestlé Purina, and Colgate-Palmolive. Although premium fresh foods remain expensive, many pet owners are blending fresh formats with kibble to improve variety and nutrition. Freeze-dried and air-dried pet foods are also accelerating as consumers seek convenient, nutrient-dense alternatives.

Economic pressure continues to influence purchasing decisions, with pet owners highly concerned about rising prices for food, beverages, and pet food. As a result, value and quality must coexist, pushing many shoppers toward lower-priced products without sacrificing nutrition. Private label pet food is gaining momentum due to widening price gaps with national brands and improving consumer perceptions of store-brand quality.

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“Made in the USA” sourcing remains a strong priority, as more than half of pet owners seek U.S.-made pet foods amid heightened attention to quality and supply chain reliability. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping the pet industry, supporting advancements in custom nutrition, health monitoring, product formulation, and retail efficiency.

Health and wellness remain the strongest purchase drivers, especially for senior, overweight, and special-needs pets. Functional and condition-specific formulations continue to gain traction, alongside growing interest in science-based and veterinary diets. Despite rising cat ownership, the market remains dog-centric, revealing significant opportunity for more cat-focused product innovation.

Subscription purchasing is also on the rise, offering pet owners convenience and competitive pricing while giving brands stronger customer retention and recurring revenue. Together, these trends reflect a pet food market evolving toward premium quality, personalization, and value in an economic environment where pet care remains a top priority.