Why cats are a growth category for pet food

Rising urbanization is leading to increased cat ownership and, following on, higher cat food sales growth, presenting opportunities for pet food companies.

Debbie Phillips-Donaldson

November 1, 2023

Higher cat ownership means higher growth rates for cat food and treat sales.

Higher cat ownership means higher growth rates for cat food and treat sales.

Andrea Gantz

It’s not hyperbole to say dogs dominate the pet food market. Besides pet dogs outnumbering pet cats in some countries, the fact is that dogs come in a greater variety of sizes, including ones much bigger than cats, and those medium, large and giant dogs eat a lot more food (and often treats) than cats do.

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The Nutriment Company acquires Totally Natural Pet Products

Dog And Cat Eating

Yeast: A possible approach to preventing pet disease

Something to Chew on

FDA’s evolving role in pet food regulations and safety

Proposed new U.S. pet food legislation, plus the return of an FDA-generated controversy, highlight the agency’s significant role, for better or worse.

New pet food labels may not be the only regulatory change coming to the U.S. pet food market.

Brand Insights

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

KEMIN NUTRISURANCE

Learn why addressing microbial risks throughout the value chain is critical to a robust food safety program. Brand Insights from Kemin.

Pet Food Quality: A More Holistic Approach to Food Safety

Something to Chew on

Raw pet food adoption: What does the future hold?

Pet owners in North America and Europe are increasingly feeding raw and other ‘alternative’ pet foods, especially younger owners, but do barriers remain?

Pet owners are increasingly feeding raw and other alternative pet food formats.

Something to Chew on

Caution ahead: Pet food pricing pressures continue in 2024

Pet food producers are still facing higher costs, leading to higher retail prices, while pet owners want premium products but are spending more thoughtfully.

Higher prices for pet food materials mean higher retail prices, creating a still uncertain situation for the pet food market in 2024.

Something to Chew on

Joining pet owners on the path to pet food sustainability

Consumers embrace sustainability at varying levels, so you have to understand where your target consumer is, then navigate the complex sustainability journey.

Pet food and treat companies can help pet owners seek and embrace sustainability, but producing “green” products can be quite complex.

Something to Chew on

The ongoing strength and growth of pet food omnichannel

Omnichannel shopping — buying pet food both in physical stores and online — really took off during the pandemic and is still a popular choice for pet owners.

Omnichannel pet food shopping became more popular during the pandemic and is still preferred by many pet owners.

Something to Chew on

Pet food premiumization: Too much of a good thing?

The pet food market has continually moved to premium and superpremium, helping drive growth, but has it reached its limits for long-term market health?

A focus on the affluent may have its limits when it comes to pet food product development and retail strategies.

Something to Chew on

What pet food manufacturing contributes to the U.S. economy

U.S. pet food manufacturers directly contribute billions of dollars in added value, labor income and output to the economy, along with thousands of jobs.

Flashvector I I Stock com Pet Food Factory People

Something to Chew on

How functional pet food’s consumer appeal ties to buying

Many pet owners show awareness of the importance of pet nutrition to health and wellness, yet only half are willing to pay more for functional benefits.

Pet owner surveys over the past few years show the majority are aware of the key role nutrition plays in their pets’ health.

Pet Food Market

Top pet food companies rising along with overall industry

The largest pet food companies globally keep growing due to acquisitions, product launches, expanded distribution and inflation, guiding the industry’s growth.

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Pet Food Market

How M&A is shaping the pet food market in 2023

The year so far includes less typical pet food deals such as divestitures of brands and pet food divisions, plus a true merger between two similar companies.

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Why pet food palatability and aroma matter so much

Research has revealed fascinating facts about how the sense of taste and smell function in dogs and cats, with important clues for formulating pet food.

Pet Food Flavor Smell (2)

Pet Food Safety

Consumer pet food safety views shaped by brands, regulators

Pet owners develop an impression of the pet food industry based partially on perceptions of its safety, and companies and regulators both play a key role.

Consumer Pet Food Safety

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