The worldwide raw, fresh and frozen dog food market is expected to single out the whole decade long with increasing pet humanization, improvement in pet health consciousness and demand for well-processed nutritious food. With dog owners increasingly aware of their canine companions' nutritional requirements, there is an increasing market for food products that are natural and wholesome, and that closely resemble historical diets.
In response, manufacturers are creating a diverse range of formulations using raw, fresh, and frozen ingredients that address particular health issues such as digestive health, body weight, and immune function. Moreover, the rise of e-commerce platforms and subscription-based models has also played a role in making these high-end products available to a wider audience of consumers.
The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of almost 4.8%, with an anticipated value of about USD 3,171.4 Million by 2035, up from USD 1,984.5 Million in 2025.
Key Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 1,984.5 Million |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 3,171.4 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.8% |
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The dog food market is composed of raw, fresh and frozen dog food in package form, with North America owning a larger market share, spurred by an increasing rate of pet ownership and demand for premium pet products.
Its strong pet food industry sees a growing trend towards naturally-produced and organic offerings, with consumers increasingly looking for artificial additive-free labels. The market growth is also supported by the presence of key market players and a strong distribution network, comprising of pet specialty stores and online retailers.
European raw, fresh and frozen dog food market is consistently growing and showing broader potential with the cultural focus on animal welfare and natural nutrition. Countries leading the way in this trend are Germany, France and the UK, where consumers increasingly opt for BARF diets. Strict regulations concerning the quality and safety of pet food in the region, offer manufacturers a motivation for classifying high standards which aid in gaining consumer trust and monitoring.
The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to be the fastest-growing market over the forecast period due to improving disposable incomes, urbanization, and increasing trends of pet humanization. China, Japan, and Australia - Consumers in these countries are showing interest in premium pet food products, and they are preferring raw, fresh and frozen dog food products. The growth of purpose-oriented populations and Western pet attention trends are leading the industry transformation in this segment.
Challenges
Short Shelf Life, Supply Chain Complexity, and Safety Concerns
Shorter product shelf life, cold chain dependency, microbial safety risks are all the key challenges for the raw, fresh & frozen dog food market different to dry kibble, the products above must be maintained at a strict temperature during storage and transport, increasing logistics costs and limiting the availability on which grocery store shelves.
Further, assuredness of the raw formulations free from bacterial contamination (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria) is one that sends alarm bells ringing among veterinarians and pet parents alike. Demand for traceability, accurate labeling, and pathogen control measures particularly in its export markets is also driving regulatory scrutiny.
Opportunities
Humanization of Pets, Nutritional Transparency, and Subscription-Based Models
Overcoming those hurdles, however, is a market that is growing as dog owners increasingly want human-grade, minimally processed and nutritionally customized meals for their dogs. Raw and fresh diets are popular for their potential benefits, including better digestion, healthier coats and allergy control. This movement is highly driven by the humanization of pets, with consumers considering animals as family members and choosing premium, functional products instead of traditional ones.
The opportunity is increasing in customized-formulated dog meals, breed-based nutrition plans and direct-to-consumer frozen food subscriptions. Brands are using e-commerce, mobile apps and clinically backed diet consultations to deliver personalized meal kits and auto-shipping. Major innovations in vacuum-sealed packaging, freeze-drying, and sustainable protein sourcing are also helping to address challenges around shelf life and safety, as well as enabling growth in premium and organic market segments.
The market grew from 2020 to 2024, when the pandemic led to more pet adoption, longer time cooped up at home and changes to pet health perspectives. Consumers spent more on premium pet food options especially raw and gently cooked delivered by subscription services. But price and safety controversies kept mass-market adoption limited.
Nutrigenomics-driven dog diets, personalized feeding plans, and cold-chain optimized fulfillment models will become the trend from 2025 to 2035. And new product formats, like single-serve frozen patties, plant-based blends, and AI-calibrated calorie portions, will appeal to health-conscious pet owners. Brands that are able to successfully provide clean labels with visibility of real ingredients and veterinarian collaborations will have a competitive edge.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 Trends |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Focus on labeling accuracy and pathogen detection |
| Consumer Trends | Preference for raw/fresh as a healthier alternative |
| Industry Adoption | Startups and boutique brands led innovation |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Reliance on regional cold storage and direct fulfillment |
| Market Competition | Dominated by niche raw/fresh pet food startups |
| Market Growth Drivers | Pandemic pet boom and interest in pet wellness |
| Sustainability and Environmental Impact | Limited eco-focus due to perishable nature |
| Integration of Smart Technologies | E-commerce growth and app-based subscriptions |
| Advancements in Product Design | Gently cooked and raw meat blends |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Expansion of traceability systems, cold chain audits, and functional claims regulation |
| Consumer Trends | Growth in custom nutrition plans, single-ingredient diets, and vet-formulated offerings |
| Industry Adoption | Broader entry from major pet food companies and digital-first DTC brands |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Shift toward globalized, temperature-controlled logistics and co-manufacturing hubs |
| Market Competition | Entry of large pet brands, functional pet food developers, and meal-plan tech platforms |
| Market Growth Drivers | Accelerated by chronic disease prevention, food sensitivity diets, and smart packaging |
| Sustainability and Environmental Impact | Demand for sustainable meat alternatives, recyclable packaging, and local sourcing |
| Integration of Smart Technologies | Rise of AI-powered diet tracking, wearable pet health sync, and dynamic portioning |
| Advancements in Product Design | Innovation in freeze-dried raw, fermented frozen meals, and shelf-stable cold-pressed formulas |
America is the largest market, driven by high pet ownership rates, premiumization trends, and a well-established cold chain logistics and e-commerce platforms. Consumers are adopting custom dog food subscriptions, raw meat patties, and vet-recommended fresh meal kits, especially in urban settings and among millennial pet owners.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.9% |
In the UK, the raw and fresh category is also growing strongly amid concerns about ultra-processed kibble, with brands such as one-protein frozen diets and organic recipes. At-a-glance trust-factors such as veterinary partnerships and transparent labeling initiatives are building consumer confidence in frozen and raw formulations.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 4.7% |
There was growing interest in gourmet and biologically appropriate raw food (BARF diets) in EU countries, with Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia leading demand. Regulatory focus on pet food hygiene, cold storage certification, and EU Novel Foods guidelines is shaping production standards across the region.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union | 4.8% |
With a keen interest in premium, portion-controlled, and low-allergenic dog food, often senior pet nutrition, Japan’s area expand. There is high demand for both fresh and frozen products in convenient to use formats, along with products featuring innovative in functional ingredients including omega oils and probiotics.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 4.8% |
The petfam trend in South Korea is driving demand for home-style and raw dog meals as urban, tech-savvy pet owners increasingly look for more than just the basics. Wellness awareness and digital adoption enables pet cafés offering human-grade fresh meals and pet subscription delivery services to go mainstream.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 4.9% |
As pet owners increasingly opt for health-forward, natural, and biologically appropriate diets for their dogs, the raw, fresh and frozen dog food market is on a steady growth path. Unlike conventional kibbles, these diets provide improved digestibility, nutrient retention, and minimal processing.
Market share is driven by product categories which include frozen food and formulations for small breeds, due to the longer lifespan of frozen products along with portion-controlled and the preference of urban clientele towards smaller pet breeds. These segments provide high-value nutrition, accommodate sensitive digestive systems, and align with growing expectations for personalized pet wellness.
As pets become more humanized, veterinarian recommendations have moved towards whole foods, leading to strong consumer adoption of frozen and raw options. The market is also experiencing a proliferation of subscription-based models and D.T.C. (direct-to-consumer) frozen meal plans that are customized by breed, age and activity level.
| Food Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Frozen Food | 61.5% |
Frozen dog food takes the lead in this segment as it stores raw nutrients without germs due to being stored at low temperature. These diets provide balanced proteins, organ meats, vegetables and supplements without artificial preservatives, which is appealing to health-conscious pet parents.
Frozen meals also have stable and consistent quality over time, minimizing the risk of spoilage; the products can spread through cold-chain logistics and stores are, in fact, already placing freezer racks. However, pet food brands are adjusting portion sizing, packaging, and thawing instructions to maximize convenience while maintaining the integrity of the nutrition.
Growing knowledge of allergies, obesity and skin conditions in dogs has driven owners to frozen food options with few ingredients and functional health benefits. Frozen jumps out on the freshness profile and appeals to urban households where home cooking for pets is less realistic than consumers in other situations. The raw food diet has strong niche adoption (particularly with performance dog owners and proponents of ancestral diets), but frozen formats remain dominant due to safety, palatability and ease of use.
| Breed Size | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Small Breeds | 56.8% |
The small breeds dominate this space as they are more populous in urban landscapes, require a more customized feeding approach and consume higher spends per pet. Small dog owners typically seek raw and fresh diets due to influences like coat, dental, and digestive comfort.
Small breed foods are formulated to include bite-sized pieces, clinically relevant amounts of nutrients, digestive additives such as prebiotics and enzymes. Many of these breeds tend to have dental proclivities, food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances that gentle processing with no preservative is a perfect fit for.
The popularity of toy and companion breeds among the millennial and city-dwelling consumer base also increases demand for premium, refrigerated or frozen meal kits that are tailored to specific breed centric dietary needs. Brands market these to as part of a lifestyle and wellness routine, often combining them with supplements and treat packs.
Although raw and fresh diets are also beneficial to medium and large breeds, the concentric focus of small breed ownership especially in North America and parts of Europe means this segment is a guaranteed driver of innovation and market growth.
The market for raw, fresh and frozen dog food is picking up pace as use cases spread due to rising uptake amongst health-savvy pet owners, premium pet nutrition trends and the humanization of pet diets. The trend toward biologically appropriate diets, allergen-free recipes, and minimally processed formulations is generating innovation in raw protein blends, refrigerated packaging, and direct-to-consumer delivery models.
Companies are pouring money into vet-backed formulas, cold-chain logistics and sustainable ingredient sourcing. Transparency, gut health, and subscription-based distribution are all still key areas of focus for premium pet food brands and emerging D2C players alike.
Market Share Analysis by Key Players & raw, fresh and frozen dog food Providers
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Freshpet, Inc. | 14-18% |
| Nestlé Purina (Just Right) | 12-16% |
| The Farmer’s Dog | 10-14% |
| Nom (Mars Inc.) | 8-12% |
| Stella & Chewy’s | 6-9% |
| Other Fresh/Raw Dog Food Brands | 30-40% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Freshpet, Inc. | In 2024, launched refrigerated multi-protein meals with expanded probiotic blends; in 2025, rolled out Freshpet+ with customized nutrition plans and in-store personalization kiosks. |
| Nestlé Purina (Just Right) | Expanded its Just Right personalized dog food platform in 2024 with raw-topping options; in 2025, introduced a frozen line featuring breed-specific recipes with traceable sourcing. |
| The Farmer’s Dog | Released new turkey and venison recipes in 2024 formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists; in 2025, launched cold-chain enabled packaging for extended freshness and nationwide shipping. |
| Nom (Mars Inc.) | Debuted functional meal plans in 2024 with targeted digestive health benefits; in 2025, added frozen raw toppers and transitioned to fully recyclable thermal delivery boxes. |
| Stella & Chewy’s | Introduced raw blend patties for senior dogs in 2024 with joint-support ingredients; in 2025, expanded its frozen dinner morsels line to include novel proteins like bison and duck. |
Key Market Insights
Freshpet, Inc. (14-18%)
Freshpet leads the retail refrigerated segment with veterinarian-developed formulas and widespread distribution. Its 2024 to 2025 innovations in customization and probiotics reinforce its dominance in fresh pet meals.
Nestlé Purina (Just Right) (12-16%)
Nestlé Purina strengthens its personalization capabilities through the Just Right platform. With frozen breed-targeted formulas launched in 2025, it aims to capture a premium share of the tailored nutrition segment.
The Farmer’s Dog (10-14%)
The Farmer’s Dog delivers nutrient-balanced, gently cooked meals with D2C convenience. Its 2024 to 2025 product enhancements and packaging upgrades underscore its commitment to quality and nationwide scale.
Nom (Mars Inc.) (8-12%)
Nom Nom’s focus on gut health and packaging sustainability sets it apart. The addition of raw toppers and recyclable cold-chain boxes in 2025 reflects strong alignment with wellness and eco-conscious pet parents.
Stella & Chewy’s (6-9%)
Stella & Chewy’s is expanding in the raw and freeze-dried categories with functional ingredients and novel proteins. Its 2024 to 2025 growth in frozen formats bolsters its presence in the premium raw pet food niche.
Other Key Players (30-40% Combined)
Numerous boutique and regional brands are innovating in clean-label, raw, and fresh pet foods with D2C and specialty retail distribution. These include:
The overall market size for the raw, fresh & frozen dog food market was USD 1,984.5 Million in 2025.
The raw, fresh & frozen dog food market is expected to reach USD 3,171.4 Million in 2035.
The demand for raw, fresh & frozen dog food is rising due to increasing pet humanization, growing awareness of pet nutrition, and the preference for minimally processed, high-protein diets. The rise in small dog ownership and demand for breed-specific formulations are further boosting market growth.
The top 5 countries driving the development of the raw, fresh & frozen dog food market are the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia.
Frozen food and small breed formulations are expected to command a significant share over the assessment period.
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Raw, fresh and frozen dog food Market
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