Canada Pet Food Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Canada Pet Food Market Outlook

The Canada pet food market size was valued at USD 5.71 billion in 2023. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.40% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 8.46 billion by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• In Canada, dog food is currently the largest pet food category with a value of USD 2.08 billion.

• The cat food category is the second largest at USD 1.04 billion.

• Pedigree is the top-selling brand for pet food, valued at USD 190.3 million.

• In 2024, number of cats in Canada is 8.2 million.

Pet food is a type of food specifically formulated and intended for consumption by pets. It is available in various forms such as dry kibble, wet food, and treats. Some brands in Canada pet food market offer organic, wild-caught, and GMO-free options for different consumer preference. The manufacture and distribution of pet food is regulated by federal guidelines and state laws, including nutritional requirements for food sold as a "complete and balanced meal".

In Canada, almost four out of every five households own a pet, where cats are the most popular, followed by dogs, fish, birds, and exotic animals. In 2020, there were about 27.93 million pets in Canada and by 2025, this number is predicted to rise to slightly over 28.5 million. Meanwhile, in 2022, there were 8.5 million pet cats and 2.51 million pet birds in the nation. Less than 1 percent of homes had any other kind of pet. Canada has a sizable pet industry due to the country's high pet ownership rate, which is leading to Canada pet food market growth.

Key Trends and Developments

Increase in pet humanisation, easy availability of pet food via online store, and rising adoption of dogs are boosting the market demand

July 2023

Hill's Pet Nutrition unveiled its new line of MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified pollock and insect protein products for pets with sensitive stomachs and skin lines. These products are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins.

June 2023

Mars Incorporated introduced its high-end cat brand SHEBA to the Canadian market, providing cat parents with wet food formulas.

May 2023

Nestle Purina introduced a new line of cat treats called "Friskies Playfuls". These round treats come in flavours like chicken and liver as well as salmon and shrimp are specifically made for adult cats.

September 2021

Simmons Pet Food invested USD 100 million for canned pet food operation in Dubuque. This investment is aimed at meeting the strong demand for high-quality nutrition and pet parent preferences.

May 2021

General Mills acquired Tyson Foods' pet treats business for USD 1.2 billion, which includes the Nudges, Top Chews, and True Chews brands. The acquisition strengthened General Mills' position in the fast-growing North American pet food market.

Growing pet humanisation

The increase in pet humanisation is one of the key Canada pet food market trends. The high demand for companionship has led to an increase in adoption of pets.

Rising adoption of dogs

The nation's millennial population is increasingly adopting pets, especially dogs. 58.0% of Canadians owned a dog as of 2020 and saw them as essential members of their families, which is contributing to Canada pet food market demand.

Easy availability of pet food through online stores

The demand for wet and dry pet food products has increased due to their easy availability via online stores. In 2020, Amazon’s pet food sales reached USD 9 billion, and the number is expected to grow, which will likely increase the Canada pet food market size in future.

Increasing demand for organic pet food

The demand for organic pet food is experiencing growth as it offers better digestion, promote energy levels, and has higher levels of nutrients. Due to increased pet adoption and greater awareness of health issues via campaigns, this Canada pet food market trend is expected to continue in the forecast period.

The Canada pet food market share have grown as nearly three million people adopted pets, particularly dogs and cats in 2023, which has thereby increased the sales of pet food. There are more than 2,000 pet stores in Canada and in 2023, sales from pet stores alone were expected to surpass USD 7 billion.

Some popular pet stores in Canada that sell pet food include PetSmart, PetValu, Mondou, and Petland Canada. These well-known chains offer a variety of pet food options, including both wet and dry food, as well as treats and other pet supplies. In addition to physical stores, online retailers such as Chewy, Rover, Homes Alive Pets, and Critters Pet Health Store also deliver pet food and supplies to Canada. Whether shopping in-store or online, Canadian pet owners have a range of options for purchasing quality pet food for their furry friends, which thereby promotes Canada pet food market development.

Market Segmentation

Canada Pet Food Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
 

Market Breakup by Pet Type

• Dogs

• Cats

• Birds

• Others

Market Breakup by Form

• Dry Pet Food

• Wet Food

• Snacks and Treats

• Others

Market Breakup by Ingredient Type

• Animal Derived

• Plant Derived

Market Breakup by Pricing Type

• Mass

• Premium

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

• Speciality Stores

• Online Stores

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• Northern Canada

• British Columbia

• Alberta

• The Prairies

• Central Canada

• Atlantic Canada

Dogs lead the pet food market due to their high food consumption levels

According to Canada pet food market analysis, dogs are expected to account for a significant portion of the market. Even though there are fewer dogs than cats in Canada, dogs still lead the pet food industry, which was valued worth USD 1.67 billion in 2022. This is because they eat more commercial food than cats do. The pet food market for dogs is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period due to pet owners' growing interest in high-end products like vegan and grain-free dog food.

Meanwhile, there has been a rising adoption of cats as pets in Canada, which can lead to increased market share of cats in Canada pet food market segmentation. As of 2022, the Canadian cities with the highest adoption rates for cats were Toronto, Calgary, and Quebec, with Toronto contributing 5% of all adoptions nationwide, while the other two states accounted for 4% and 1%, respectively.

Premium pet food holds a significant market share because of its higher protein content and nutritional values

According to the Canada pet food market report, the premium price segment is expected to dominate, since pet owners' top priorities are providing their animals with proper healthcare and nutrition. They frequently look for premium dry foods from pet food brands that provides specialised nutrition for managing pet weight and skin. This rising demand from pet owners for premium dry pet foods to support the health of their animals is anticipated to further boost the pet food market growth.

However, the mass-priced pet food segment in Canada is also experiencing growth due to an increase in e-commerce sales for pet food. Online channels allow consumers to purchase pet food products on discounts, offering convenience and accessibility. In addition, supermarkets and hypermarkets also offer consumers an abundance of choices in terms of brands and prices, which has contributed to increasing share of mass-priced pet food segment, thus impacting the pet food market in Canada.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the market is characterised by market players expanding their product portfolio to cater to the growing demand for pet care products and services.
 

Mars Inc. was founded in 1911 and is based in United States. It is an international conglomerate that owns ‘PEDIGREE’ among other pet care brands. With its 100,000 veterinary care professionals, Mars Inc. focuses on offering complete veterinary care, nutrition, and pet welfare services.

Nestlé S.A. also known as Purina was founded in 1866 and is based in Switzerland. It is a significant participant in the pet food market and provides a selection of goods for dogs, cats, and other household animals. The business is renowned for both its dedication to animal welfare and its premium ingredients.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.) was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in United States. The company specialises in creating premium pet food products, such as prescription diets for animals with medical requirements. Simmons Foods, Inc.  is a leading supplier of meat products, including poultry, pet, and ingredient products, and serves customers in North America. The company was founded in 1949 and is based in Arkansas, United States. Simmons Foods works with farmers, communities, and employees to provide quality food products and services.

Other key players included in the Canada pet food market analysis are Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., General Mills Inc., The J.M. Smucker Company, FirstMate Pet Foods, PLB International (1st Choice Nutrition), and Rolf C. Hagen Inc. (Nutrience), among others.

Central Canada is one of the prominent regions in Canada due to its high pet adoption levels

The pet food market   in Central Canada is a booming industry, with the country being home to hundreds of pet stores across the nation.

As of December 2022, Ontario was home to most number of pets and pet supplies stores across the country, with 845 such stores in the province. This can increase the Canadian pet food market share in the future. Meanwhile, Quebec had 544 pet stores, followed by British Columbia with 375 pet stores. These pet stores facilitate a wide availability of pet food varieties, including wet and dry treats, biscuits, cereals, organic, and non-GMO items.

In addition, Canadian pet food manufacturers have been developing high-quality, human-grade, and innovative pet foods to supply in all Canadian regions through store-based retail channels, e-commerce sector, and veterinary clinics. The availability of a wide range of pet food options reflects the growing demand for pet food products in the Canadian market.

Key Highlights of the Report