Source: NextGen Intelligence Stats and Consulting LLP

Pet Food Market Analysis by Food Type

Based on food type, the market is segmented into semi-moist foods, kibble foods, canned foods, veterinary nutritional foods, and others. Kibble Foods accounted for the largest share of the market. Kibble's dominance is due to its several strengths, including convenience, a longer shelf life, affordability, and simplicity of storage and feeding. It also has dental benefits, as it helps minimize tartar deposition. Its flexibility in different formulations (breed-specific, life-stage specific, weight management) addresses a wide range of pet requirements and owner choices. Veterinary Nutritional Foods is the fastest segment in the market. This is attributed to the growing humanization of pets and increasing awareness among owners of their pets' specific health requirements. These diets treat animal disorders such as kidney disease, obesity, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems. The escalating focus on preventive care & pet owners' willingness to invest in their pets' long-term health are key drivers of the segment's accelerated growth. 
 

Pet Food Market Analysis by Pet Type

The market is segmented by pet type into cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, fish, ferrets, and others. Dog food is the largest and fastest-growing segment in the pet food market by animal type, accounting for approximately 41.8% of the market share in 2024. This is primarily attributed to the vast number of dogs worldwide and the strong emotional bond between owners & dogs, which motivates significant expenditure on their nutritional needs. Dog owners value the health & well-being of their pets, resulting in high demand for a vast array of products, such as custom diets for various breeds, life stages, and health statuses. Moreover, ongoing innovation in functional pet food, designed to address multiple specific health issues faced by dogs, including joint care, digestive problems, skin allergies, and oral health, further stimulates segment growth. The pet humanization trend also encourages owners to demand high-quality, specialized, and even customized diets for their dogs, which helps maintain the segment's speedy growth.
 

Pet Food Market Analysis by Source Type

Based on source type, the market is segmented into Animals, Plants, Cereals, and Others. The Animals segment acquired a majority share of the global pet food market based on the source type. Animal-based ingredients, such as various meats, poultry, and fish, form the foundation of conventional pet food recipes, particularly for carnivorous and omnivorous animals like dogs and cats. These resources are highly prized for their high protein content, essential amino acids, and palatability, which are crucial to a pet's muscular growth, and overall well-being. The Plants segment is projected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period, propelled by the propelling trend of vegan and plant-based food consumption among humans, which is now also affecting pet food consumption. Pet owners are seeking sustainable, hypoallergenic, and innovative protein sources for their pets. Products such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and other plant-based proteins are increasingly popular alternatives to conventional animal ingredients. 
 

Pet Food Market Analysis by Distribution Channel

By Application, the market is categorized into Offline and Online. Offline is the largest segment in the global pet food market by distribution channel. Conventional brick-and-mortar retail channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, pet specialty stores, and veterinary clinics, now hold the largest market share. Supermarkets and hypermarkets, to a large extent, contribute to the largest share, mainly because of their easy accessibility, comprehensive product offerings, and the consumer's ability to physically examine products before purchase. The online segment is estimated to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. The convenience of home delivery, greater availability of brands & specialist products, price competitiveness, and growing digital competency among pet owners. The features that enable comparison of products, reading consumer reviews, and signing up for periodic deliveries also contribute to the strong growth of online sales segment.