United States Cat Food Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

United States Cat Food Market Outlook

The United States cat food market size was valued at USD 12.92 billion in 2023. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 18.54 billion by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• The market is driven by rising cat ownership rates and the availability of a wide range of custom-made cat foods such as kibbles, other dry foods, and wet foods.

• As per industry reports, in 2022, approximately 37% of cats entering shelters were adopted, while 41% were euthanised, and less than 5% of cats who came in as strays were returned to their owners.

• The Humane Society of the United States estimates that around 3.5 million cats enter shelters each year, and approximately 2.4 million of them are healthy and treatable.

The trend of humanisation of pets, where pets are treated as family members, is driving the demand for high-quality, nutritious, and premium pet food products, including cat food. Pet owners are increasingly seeking products that mirror the type of food they would eat themselves. This trend has led to an increase in demand for organic, natural, and grain-free cat food products. Wellness Natural Pet Food offers cat food made with real ingredients, such as deboned chicken, salmon, and turkey, and are free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

The rise of e-commerce and the availability of cat food online has made it easier for pet owners to find and purchase cat food, contributing to the United States cat food market growth. Chewy.com is an online retailer thar offer a wide range of cat food products, including wet and dry food, treats, and supplements.

The animal-derived ingredients segment has a significant United States cat food market share as cats are obligate carnivores, requiring a diet high in protein and fats from animal sources. This segment includes products that primarily use meat-based protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, or beef to provide essential nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and fats. Some key players in this segment include Mars Petcare, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Hill's Pet Nutrition, and J.M Smucker.

The plant-derived ingredients segment is growing due to the increasing demand for vegan and grain-free options. This segment includes products that use plant-based protein sources, such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas, to cater to the needs of cats with specific dietary restrictions. Companies like Blue Buffalo, Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company Inc., and Fromm Family Foods LLC offer plant-derived cat food options.

Market Segmentation

United States 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

• New England

• Mideast

• Great Lakes

• Plains

• Southeast

• Southwest

• Rocky Mountain

• Far West

Competitive Landscape

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

• Nestlé S.A.

• Mars, Incorporated

• Schell & Kampeter, Inc.

• Colgate-Palmolive Company

• General Mills, Inc.

• Wellness Pet Company, Inc.

• The J.M. Smucker Company

• Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

• PLB International 

• Heristo AG 

• Others

Key Highlights of the Report