Pet Raw Food Market Report 2026

The pet raw food market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.1 billion in 2025 to $4.55 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising pet humanization trends, growing awareness of pet nutrition, increased spending on premium pet food, expansion of specialty pet stores, availability of cold-chain logistics for raw food.

The pet raw food market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.87 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for customized pet nutrition, rising adoption of subscription-based pet food models, expansion of raw food offerings for cats, growing focus on sustainable protein sourcing, increasing regulatory clarity on raw pet food safety. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for biologically appropriate pet diets, rising preference for minimally processed pet food, growing adoption of freeze-dried raw formats, expansion of direct-to-consumer pet food sales, enhanced focus on ingredient transparency.

The rise in pet ownership is anticipated to drive the growth of the pet raw food market in the coming years. Pet ownership involves the care and maintenance of domesticated animals for companionship, protection, or enjoyment. Factors contributing to the increase in pet ownership include the desire for companionship and emotional support, greater awareness of animal welfare, and the influence of social media. Pet owners are increasingly opting for raw pet food, valuing natural and nutritious products with fewer additives that align with pets' natural diets and resemble their wild counterparts. For example, in April 2023, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, a UK-based veterinary charity, reported that 53% of UK adults owned a pet in 2023, up from 51% in February 2020, with dog ownership rising to 29% from 26% in February 2020. This growing trend in pet ownership is fueling the expansion of the pet raw food market.

Leading companies in the pet raw food market are developing innovative products, such as freeze-dried nutrition, to provide the benefits of raw pet food in a convenient kibble form. Freeze-drying involves freezing the food at very low temperatures and then drying it in a vacuum, which preserves much of the original nutritional value and quality while allowing for long-term storage. For instance, in March 2024, Primal Pet Foods, a US-based manufacturer of high-quality raw pet foods, introduced Kibble in the Raw. This product offers a superior nutritional option with uncooked ingredients such as raw beef, pork, fish, or chicken, and features freeze-dried raw protein to retain maximum nutrients and flavor without synthetic additives. This convenient and nutritious format appeals to pet owners seeking the best health benefits and natural feeding solutions for their pets.

In July 2024, The Nutriment Company, a UK-based pet food manufacturer, acquired Natural Instinct for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will expand The Nutriment Company’s presence in the UK pet food market and strengthen its position in Central Europe for premium natural pet food. Additionally, it supports the company’s strategy to diversify its portfolio within the growing raw pet food segment, driven by increasing demand from pet owners for natural and nutritious options. Natural Instinct, also a UK-based pet food manufacturer, specializes in producing raw, frozen dog food and natural pet treats.

Major companies operating in the pet raw food market are Stella & Chewy's, Sojourner Farms LLC, Nature's Variety, Instinct Pet Food, The Honest Kitchen, Northwest Naturals, Primal Pet Foods, Bravo Pet Foods, Red Dog Blue Kat, Darwin's Natural Pet Products, Big Dog Natural, Dr. Harvey's, Vital Essentials, Steve's Real Food, Answers Pet Food, SmallbatchPets, BARF World Inc., OC Raw Dog, Carnivora, Totally Raw Pet Food Inc., Momentum Carnivore Nutrition, K9 Natural, Raw Bistro, Proudi.

North America was the largest region in the pet raw food market in 2025. The regions covered in the pet raw 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 pet raw food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The pet raw food market consists of sales of raw meat mixes, meal patties, and raw bones. 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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