The North American pet food market, valued at $27.92 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $36.62 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 3.67% during the forecast period, according to a Growth Market Report released in February. Market growth is attributed to increasing pet adoption and growing consumer concern for pet health.
"The rise in the number of elderly couples and dual income, no child households, as well as increased disposable money are pushing worldwide pet adoption which is a major element driving the need for pet food in the North American region," noted the report.
The U.S. dominates the regional market, while Canada contributes through premium, clean-label, and sustainably sourced offerings. Key regional characteristics include high pet ownership penetration, strong consumer spending power, early adoption of health-focused and specialty diets, and robust retail and e-commerce infrastructure.
Humanization driving formulation trends
According to the report, one of the defining forces in the U.S. pet food market is dietary humanization, with consumers applying the same nutritional principles to pet food that they apply to their own diets. Trends influencing pet nutrition include grain-free and gluten-free formulations, high-protein and low-carb recipes, clean labels with recognizable ingredients, and organic and non-GMO sourcing.
Functional nutrition has also emerged as a key differentiator, with claims spanning digestive health, skin and coat enhancement, joint mobility support, weight management, and immune system reinforcement.
Product formats expanding beyond kibble
While dry kibble remains dominant due to convenience and shelf stability, emerging formats are gaining ground. Fresh and refrigerated pet food, freeze-dried and air-dried options, and raw-inspired diets are increasingly available. U.S. households are mixing formats to create hybrid feeding routines.
Retail shifting toward subscription and personalization
The report noted that the North American pet food retail landscape is shifting, with direct-to-consumer subscription models growing rapidly alongside personalized meal plans based on pet age, breed, and health profile. E-commerce platforms and specialty pet retailers now play a larger role than traditional grocery chains in premium product discovery.
Regulatory and sustainability factors
Consumer trust in the U.S. market is closely tied to oversight by the FDA and AAFCO, which shape ingredient definitions, labeling norms and nutritional adequacy claims. Environmental considerations are also influencing purchasing decisions, with factors including responsibly sourced proteins, reduced manufacturing carbon footprints, recyclable or compostable packaging, and ethical animal welfare standards.
Looking ahead, the report identifies precision feeding — diet plans customized through data, veterinary insights, and AI-driven health tracking — as the next phase of market development.
"Manufacturers are now producing products tailored to a pet's breed, age, and size in smaller, disposable, single-serve containers to make life easier for both pets and owners," noted the report. "Aside from that, pet food manufacturers are working on organic versions of their products, which are prepared with ingredients farmed without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones, or antibiotics."
To see the full Growth Market Report on North America, click here.
