Cat Food Market Report 2026

The cat food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $24.87 billion in 2025 to $26.39 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing pet ownership rates, rising humanization of pets, expansion of commercial pet food manufacturing, growing awareness of pet nutrition, development of diverse product offerings.

The cat food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $34.24 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for customized nutrition, rising focus on sustainable pet food sourcing, expansion of insect-based protein usage, increasing penetration of e-commerce platforms, growth in veterinary-recommended diets. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for premium and super-premium cat food, growing adoption of functional and nutrient-enriched formulations, expansion of grain-free and high-protein diets, increased focus on organic and natural ingredients, growth of online pet food retailing.

The increasing population of pet cats is expected to drive the growth of the cat food market in the coming years. Pet cat population refers to the number of domesticated cats kept in households, reflecting rising pet ownership and growing demand for specialized nutrition. This growth is fueled by lifestyle changes, increased preference for companion animals, and higher household spending on premium pet care. Cat food supports this trend by offering nutritionally balanced formulations that promote health, longevity, and overall well-being of cats. For instance, in 2023, according to FEDIAF - the European Pet Food Industry Federation, a Belgium-based nonprofit organization, the cat population in Europe rose from 0.1273 billion in 2022 to 0.1289 billion in 2023, demonstrating continued growth in cat ownership across EU households. Therefore, the increasing population of pet cats is driving the cat food market.

Major companies in the cat food market are developing nutritionally complete vegan options to meet rising demand for plant-based diets. These products provide essential nutrients while catering to pet owners seeking sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. For instance, in August 2024, Wild Earth, a US-based sustainable pet food company, launched Unicorn Pate, a nutritionally complete vegan cat food. Unicorn Pate delivers all essential nutrients required by cats, including taurine, and is made from ingredients such as lentils, peas, sweet potatoes, and marine microalgae, offering a balanced diet without animal products.

In April 2023, Post Holdings Inc., a US-based consumer packaged goods company, acquired several pet food brands from The J.M. Smucker Company for $1.2 billion. This acquisition enables Post Holdings to strengthen its position in the cat food and broader pet nutrition market, while J.M. Smucker Company focuses on core brands like Meow Mix® and Milk-Bone®, optimizing its portfolio and supporting growth within the global cat food segment. The J.M. Smucker Company is a US-based food and beverage manufacturer known for its packaged consumer goods.

Major companies operating in the cat food market are Mars Incorporated, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, The J.M. Smucker Company, Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Company Inc., Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., Affinity Petcare SA, Nutro Products Inc., PetGuard Holdings LLC, Fromm Family Foods LLC, Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc., Diamond Pet Foods, Harringtons Pet Food, Dave's Pet Food, Real Pet Food Company Pty Ltd., Freshpet Inc., Burgess Pet Care, Nature's Variety, WellPet LLC, Rollover Premium Pet Food Ltd., Royal Canin SAS, Nutriara Alimentos Ltda., Canidae Natural Pet Food Company, SCHELL & KAMPETER Inc., Sheba, Whiskas.

North America was the largest region in the cat food market in 2025. The regions covered in the cat food market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the cat food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The cat food market consists of sales of veterinary diet foods, kibble or dry, treats and chews, freeze-dried food, and freeze-dried raw cat food. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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