Pet Snacks & Treats Market Analysis 2026

Market Dynamics of the Pet Snacks and Treats

Key Drivers of the Pet Snacks and Treats Market

• Rapid urbanization and the adoption of pets lead to a boost in the demand for pet snacks and treats

Most urban couples around the world acquire small mammals as pets. Unlike previous generations, millennials are more open to novel and advanced products. They are willing to pay more money to get high-quality products for their dogs, and all of these factors are projected to generate significant market expansion in the approaching years. Pet adoption is the most common way to get a new pet. Adoption is always a better alternative than buying a puppy from a pet store or selecting a kitten from a litter. Adopting dogs reduces stress and increases savings. In 2019, the American Pet Products Association reported that approximately 4.1 million animals were adopted from shelters. (2 million dogs, 2.1 million cats). Furthermore, it is estimated that 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats were owned in the United States between 2015 and 2016. A dog and a cat can be found in around 44% and 35% of all American households. According to the APPA, 23% of dogs and 31% of cats come from animal shelters or humane societies, while 34% and 23% come from breeders. KHS reported that 6,103 animals were adopted in 2020. 193 animals were reunited with their owners, while another 2,648 animals were donated to KHS rescue affiliates. Urban pet owners have access to a greater range of pet food items, which is likely to influence their purchasing patterns towards more diverse and specialized products. Pet ownership trends are shifting as an increasing number of individuals choose to live in cities. With limited space and stressful lifestyles, urban pet owners seek convenience and variety in pet food choices. According to Pet Data, in 2018, the adoption rate for dogs in China was 11.8%, while the adoption rate for cats was 19.8%. Since the beginning of China's animal welfare movement, Pet Form, an organization that teaches and trains stray cats and dogs before releasing them to shelters, has helped over 10,000 rescued cats and dogs find homes. The consumer trend toward pet adoption has boosted pet food premiumization, which is expected to grow the pet food products market throughout the forecast period.

• Proliferation of E-Commerce is also a driving force for the pet snacks and treats Market 

Pet food has become one of the fastest-growing internet categories worldwide, next to infant and baby nutrition. Pet e-shops have a high growth potential and may soon become the second-largest distribution channel after conventional retail locations. Mars Petcare, one of China's largest pet food manufacturers, has collaborated with e-commerce platforms includin000000g Tmall, JD, and Amazon. It also plans to invest more money into internet platforms and expedite its research on pet owners' purchasing and preferences. The pet boom has resulted in the development of pet companies in developing nations such as India. BarkNBond, for example, is an app that helps people find everything they need for their pets, from veterinary clinics to pet-friendly eateries. The growing number of Android phone users and internet users, as well as advancements in e-commerce marketing tactics, are driving up global pet food sales. For instance, in May 2021, according to the United States Department of commerce, a US-based government agency, in the first quarter of 2021, US e-commerce sales saw a substantial increase of 39.0 percent compared to the same period in 2020.  Therefore, the increasing expansion of e- e-commerce industry is driving the growth of the pet snacks and treats market. According to a consumer trends survey conducted in the first quarter of 2023, the sales of pet food have grown to almost 40% on Amazon. Moreover, 24% of pet owners are frequent buyers of pet products from Amazon.

• Humanization of pets creates demand for pet snacks and treats products

The increasing humanization of pets is a prominent driver of the pet snacks and treats market. This transformation in the way people perceive and treat their pets as integral members of the family has significantly influenced consumer behavior and purchasing patterns. As pets transition from mere companions to valued family members, pet owners are more inclined to invest in premium and specialized products, including high-quality snacks and treats. The humanization trend is characterized by a desire to provide pets with the same level of care, attention, and indulgence that family members receive. Pet humanization has gained extensive coverage in mainstream media worldwide in recent years. Research undertaken by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) as part of the National Pet Owners Survey (2019-20) revealed that more than 85 million households in the United States owned one or more pets, with dogs constituting a significant proportion of the pet population. Thus, it is projected that increased pet humanization would fuel the pet food market.

Key Restraints of the Pet Snacks and Treats Market

• Increasing awareness of pet obesity and related health issues

As pet owners become more conscious of their pets' overall well-being, there is a growing concern about the potential negative impact of excessive treat consumption on the health of dogs and cats. The risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues associated with high–calorie treats has led to a shift in consumer behavior. This heightened awareness has prompted a demand for treats with specific health benefits, limiting the market potential for traditional, calorie-laden options.  As a result, companies in the pet snacks and treats industry face the challenge of adapting to this health-conscious consumer trend while still meeting the demand for indulgent and enjoyable pet treats. 

• Regulations imposed on pet food

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) takes charge of the unified inspection and quarantine of imported pet food. The local entry and exit inspections and quarantine agencies are responsible for inspecting and quarantining imported pet food in China. In 2018, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued Announcement 20, which referred to the attached regulations. Announcement 20 included rules such as if dog and cat foods were currently being imported without an import registration certificate, an import registration certificate should be applied for and obtained by September 2019. Holders of an existing import registration certificate for additive premixes that could be directly consumed by a pet cat or dog (not as part of a product manufactured by others) were required to apply for and obtain a new import registration certificate by September 2019. Stringent regulations and an increase in product recalls may continue to limit the potential growth of the pet food market over the forecast period.

Opportunites in the Pet Snacks and Treats Market

• Increasing focus on pet health and nutrition

The expansion of premium and functional offerings that address specific health concerns and dietary preferences of pet owners provides an opportunity for market growth. Improved knowledge sharing across social media platforms related to the potential toxicity of synthetic chemicals and other harmful materials also encourages natural pet food sales. In addition to a desire to decrease their pet's carbon paw prints, pet parents are purchasing natural products to maintain or improve the health and well-being of their beloved companion animals. The top-selling natural pet products are holistic cat and dog food, cat litter, natural flea and tick repellents, and holistic natural pet food. This long-standing growth trend in developed markets is a small but rapidly growing segment of the pet food industry. One strategic avenue for revenue growth is the development of treats with functional benefits, such as those promoting joint health, and digestive wellness, or incorporating natural ingredients with recognized nutritional advantages. Companies can invest in research and development to create innovative formulations that cater to specific pet health concerns, providing added value to pet owners seeking treats that contribute to their pet's overall well-being. The rise in preferences for natural and healthy food, with food safety being the priority, may drive pet food sales, with higher growth rates in the natural segment. In 2016, organic pet food sales in the United States were USD 5.4 billion and increased to USD 6.8 billion in 2019. Hence, increased awareness regarding organic pet food in developed and developing countries, coupled with increased pet parenting, is driving the pet food market globally and is anticipated to grow during the forecast period.

• Vegan and vegetarian diets are gaining popularity

To reduce the carbon footprint of pets parents are looking out for options in vegan diets and vegetarian diets. Recent studies have shown that millennials can afford to spend 20% more on snacks and treats for their pets. Sustainable options will gain popularity in the coming years and provide major growth opportunities during the forecast period. For instance, The prevalence of vegetarianism and veganism was higher in the pet owner sample than has been reported in the general population, accounting for approximately 12% of pet owners in the sample population. To put that into perspective, in the USA alone, with its population of 325 million and a national pet-owning rate estimated at 56%, there may be as many as 20 million vegetarian and vegan pet owners.
(Source-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333351/)

How did COVID-19 Impact the Pet Snacks and Treats Market?

Before COVID-19, Pet Food manufacturing experienced five years of consistent growth. Since the pandemic began, there has been a huge increase in pet ownership, resulting in increased demand and sales of pet food. The growth in pets and the ensuing remote employment allowed many workers to work from home, but it also presented difficulties for the pet food sector. People who worked from home more frequently had more time to take care of their pets, and many of them chose to become pet parents even though they had no domesticated animals. Pet food sales surged as a result of this pet population growth during a period when supply chains were under stress, creating difficulties for the pet food sector.  Pet-related expenses are on the rise due to increasing pet ownership, a trend of treating pets as family members, a focus on pet health and wellness, the premiumization of pet products, advancements in veterinary care, and the escalating costs of pet care services. For instance, In 2013, pet expenditures were $57.8 billion, and by the end of 2021, this figure had climbed to $102.8 billion—an increase of 77.9% in just 8 years. In 2021 alone, consumers spent more than $100 billion on pet-related expenses, surpassing spending on recreational reading materials, alcoholic beverages, and women’s clothing. Pet expenditures outpaced spending in other consumer categories, including entertainment, total expenditure, and annual average income before taxes. Pet food expenditures fell by 12.8%, but the percentage of households reporting pet food purchases increased by 5.5%. This suggests more frequent, cheaper shopping trips, with consumers opting for lower-quality food. The increased time spent at home due to lockdowns likely encouraged people to spoil their pets, contributing to the overall rise in pet spending.

(Source-https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-12/we-love-our-pets-and-our-spending-proves-it-1.htm)

Recent Developments

• Good Dog was introduced by Wellness in 2022 which is a natural form of a treat for dogs that aims at the wellness of pet owners and dogs.

(Source-https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/good-dog/?doing_wp_cron=1722586053.5226979255676269531250)

• In February 2024, VAFO Group, a European producer of super premium pet foods, acquired Finnish company Dagsmark Pet Food, making VAFO the leading player in the Nordic pet food market. Dagsmark specializes in wet pet food production and will complement VAFO's product range in Finland. The acquisition allows for expansion into other Nordic markets and provides resources for further development. The Finnish company's products will continue unchanged, utilizing local ingredients and aligning with VAFO's sustainability strategy

(Source-https://www.vafo.com/vafo-group-acquires-dagsmark-petfood/)

• Vegan treats for dogs were introduced by Clif Bar and Company in 2021. It was a plant-based newly launched product.

(Source-https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/15346-clif-bar-enters-pet-category-with-plant-based-dog-snacks)

• April 2022 - Purina-sponsored research of pets for parents and their children with autism.

(Source-https://newscenter.purina.com/2022-04-13-Purina-Sponsored-Research-Shows-Benefits-of-Pets-for-Parents-and-their-Children-with-Autism)

• In August 2022, In a strategic move to support the expansion of its Hill's Pet Nutrition business, Colgate-Palmolive Company agreed to acquire three pet food manufacturing plants from Red Collar Pet Foods. The acquisition, valued at USD 700 million, is aimed at fortifying Colgate-Palmolive's commitment to the global growth of its pet food business under Hill's Pet Nutrition

(Source-https://www.petproductnews.com/news/colgate-palmolive-invests-700-million-in-3-pet-food-manufacturing-plants-to-expand-on-hill/article_df9cac92-2409-11ed-9a48-cfc1eb877788.html)

With the help of the above study about the Pet Snacks And Treats market, it can be concluded that the market for Pet Snacks And Treats worldwide is expected to develop significantly in the near future. From the report, one can understand and infer the market dynamics, segmentations, status and trends, and key players in the market. It provides data regarding various topics such as market dimensions, competitive landscape, and the outlook for prospective expansion. This allows the reader to understand and access reliable data about the market and industry.

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