United Kingdom Cat Food Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

United Kingdom Cat Food Market Outlook

The United Kingdom cat food market size was valued at USD 765.91 million in 2023. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 1117.67 million by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• The UK Pet Population Survey indicated that there are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with 29% of households owning a cat. This shows the substantial presence of cats as pets in the UK and the importance of the cat food market.

• As per industry reports, the cost of cat food in the UK ranges from around EUR 5 for a box of dry food that lasts a week for an average-weight cat to more than EUR 70 a month for tailored food formulations that are subscription-based.

• Additionally, monthly costs for cat food in the UK can be around EUR 120, including preventative veterinary treatments and new toys and enrichment to keep cats happy.

Pet owners treat their cats as family members, leading to increased demand for high-quality and human-grade cat food products. This trend is driving pet food manufacturers to focus on producing premium cat food options. For example, Lily's Kitchen, a UK-based pet food brand, offers a range of organic cat food products that are free from artificial additives and preservatives.

As per the United Kingdom cat food market analysis, economic challenges and supply chain issues have led to price sensitivity among consumers, prompting some cat owners to trade down to more affordable cat food options. As a result, there is a growing focus on pricing, availability, and variety in the cat food market. This trend is driving an increase in sales of private label cat food lines from grocery retailers, as consumers seek more cost-effective options amidst economic uncertainty. For example, Tesco, a UK-based grocery retailer, offers a range of affordable and high-quality cat food options under its private label brand.

To meet the evolving demands of cat owners, pet food manufacturers are focusing on innovation and diversification of their product offerings. This includes experimenting with alternative protein sources, developing plant-based and grain-free options, and introducing new nutritional benefits in cat food products. For example, Yora, a UK-based pet food brand, offers a range of plant-based cat food options that are free from animal-derived ingredients, catering to the growing demand for vegan and vegetarian pet food options, further aiding in United Kingdom cat food market growth.

Meatly, a UK-based cultivated meat company, has created the world's first cans of pet food using cultivated chicken as the protein source. The cultivated meat is virtually infinite, cruelty-free, and can be optimised for health, with more essential vitamins, minerals, and omegas and an elimination of troublesome components such as antibiotic residues.

Market Segmentation

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

Market Breakup by Product

• Dry Cat Food

• Cat Treats

• Wet Cat Food

Market Breakup by Ingredient Type

• Animal Derived

• Plant Derived

Market Breakup by Price Category

• Premium Products

• Mass Products

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

• Specialty Stores

• Online

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• England

• Wales

• Scotland

• Northern Ireland

Competitive Landscape

Market players are competing to offer a wide range of premium cat food products to meet the needs of cat owners.

• Nestlé S.A.

• Mars, Incorporated 

• Colgate-Palmolive Company 

• General Mills, Inc.   

• Wellness Pet Company, Inc. 

• The J.M. Smucker Company 

• Heristo AG 

• IPN Group 

• MPM Products Limited (Applaws) 

• Lily’s Kitchen Limited 

• Russo Mangimi S.p.A. (Farmina Pet Foods) 

• Others

Key Highlights of the Report