The global wet pet food market size is estimated to be valued at USD 22.6 billion in 2023. Furthermore, with the rising adoption of pets worldwide, the overall demand for wet pet food is poised to grow at a steady CAGR of 5.5% between 2023 to 2033, totaling a market valuation of USD 37.7 billion by 2033.
Wet pet food sales accounted for 19.2% of the overall pet food market, which was valued at USD 22.6 billion by 2023 end. Rising sales of wet pet food can be attributed to the shifting preference of owners toward giving wet pet foods to their companion animals.
Wet pet food contains higher water content (around 70-80%), so it is the softest of the three forms. It is generally prepared by grinding the protein sources or meat ingredients. Then a gravy that contains minerals, vitamins, and grains is added. And finally, after mixing, the food is cooked and sterilized to produce the canned product.
Over the years, demand for wet food has risen at a healthy pace due to rising consumer awareness about its various advantages. Wet food has a higher moisture content, so it can help pets stay hydrated and avoid urinary tract infections. Similarly, wet pet foods contain lower carbohydrate content and can thus prevent weight gain in pets.
The growing adoption of wet pet food due to its various advantages over dry pet food will continue to bolster wet pet food sales over the next decade.
| Attribute | Key Statistics |
|---|---|
| Wet Pet Food Market Estimated Size (2023E) | USD 22.6 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2033F) | USD 37.7 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 5.5% |
| Top 3 Countries' Market Share | 35.8% |
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The global wet pet food market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2023 and 2033, in comparison to the 3.7% CAGR registered during the historical period from 2018 to 2022. The surge in pet adoption rates, changing preference towards wet pet foods due to their various benefits, and continuous new product launches are key factors driving demand for wet pet foods in the market.
Today, providing high-quality, healthy food for pets has become one of the most important responsibilities for pet owners. This is what motivates people to experiment with various forms of food for their pets, ranging from dry to chewable and wet food.
Wet pet food has many advantages over dry pet food, including more variety, high water content, low carbs, and soft nature. It is an ideal food choice for overweight pets or having difficulty chewing hard kibble due to dental problems or illness.
One of the main reasons for spurring wet pet food sales is an increase in pet adoption in high-income nations. People today are inclined towards having pets like a dog or cat due to healthy and mood-boosting benefits. Various studies have revealed that pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, and encourage exercise and playfulness.
Rising Demand for Nutritious Foods Propelling Sales of Wet Pet Food
The urge of pet owners to purchase premium quality products for their pets in order to assure optimal nutrition and care is a major factor driving the wet pet food market. The market is anticipated to grow as the number of nuclear families and couples who own pets rises. These pet owners adopt animals and treat them as if they were their children.
Wet pet food delivers nourishment, good health, and protein to pets, thereby allowing them to live longer and better lives. Furthermore, the market for wet pet food is being driven by an increase in disposable money.
Pet food demand is gradually increasing, presenting a substantial opportunity for the worldwide wet pet food industry. Furthermore, because wet pet food is soft, an increase in dental difficulties among pets will encourage pet owners to feed wet pet foods to their companion animals. This will boost wet pet food sales during the assessment period.
Rising Trend of Pet Humanization Favoring Wet Pet Food Market Growth in the United States.
The growth of the wet pet food market in the USA can be ascribed to the rise in pet ownership and the growing trend of pet humanization, in which pets are given more attention and hygiene.
High-quality ingredients are essential for pet owners in the USA As consumers become increasingly sensitive about their pets' health, demand for wet pet food is expected to grow substantially.
Furthermore, the presence of some of the world’s leading wet pet food manufacturers in the country is positively impacting wet pet food market growth, and the trend is likely to continue during the forecast period.
Rise in Pet Adoption Rates Propelling Wet Pet Food Sales in China
Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide, contributing a significant portion of the revenue generated by the Chinese pet food sector.
With almost 27 million dogs as pets, China ranked third in the world regarding dog ownership in 2020. The second most popular pets were cats and birds, accounting for considerable revenue. This surge in pet animal rates is boosting wet pet food sales in the country.
Similarly, animal humanization, the rising number of e-commerce platforms, and the growing demand for natural pet food that is beneficial for animals are the top factors driving the wet pet food market in the country.
Growing Focus towards Improving Pet Health Shaping Market Growth in India
East Asia accounts for a significant amount of the overall wet pet food demand because the number of pet owners in this region is higher than in other parts of the world. Countries like India are the reason for the region's ever-increasing pet population.
Over the years, there has been a rapid increase in pet food demand across India due to factors like expanding pet population, a rising focus on improving pet health, and a surge in pet food startups. As wet pet food offers several health benefits, it is being chosen over other forms of wet pet food. This will continue to drive growth in the Indian wet pet food market over the next ten years.
Rising Adoption of Dogs as Pets Fueling Wet Pet Food Sales
Over the projection period, dogs, particularly pups with no teeth, are expected to bolster sales of wet pet food in the market. This can be attributed to the rising adoption of dogs as pets and growing awareness about dog health.
Leading producers are developing wet pet food targeted to these dogs' nutritional demands to acquire a major share of the overall market. Furthermore, companies have increased their output of wet pet food aimed specifically at dogs in response to rising customer demand for luxury dog food items and the readiness of these dog parents to pay higher costs. This will continue to stimulate the growth of the dog segment in the market during the forecast period.
Growing Preference Towards Organic Products to Spur Sales of Organic Wet Pet Foods
As pet owners are deeply concerned about their animals' well-being, they continuously spend large amounts on highly nutritious pet meals. Customers are demanding more specialized pet food, resulting in a rise in global organic wet pet food manufacturing.
Organic and natural foods are becoming more popular among pet owners, as these foods are free from hazardous ingredients. They want their pet foods to be free of preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, synthetic hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics. To capitalize on the current market trend, manufacturers are creating a variety of brands with a wide range of organic products.
Due to rising customer demand and increasing disposable income, a growing number of companies are entering the wet pet food market. In order to capitalize and improve their revenue share, wet pet food manufacturers are innovating to bring a new line of items to their inventory. Besides this, they are adopting strategies such as partnerships, acquisitions, mergers and establishing new manufacturing and distribution facilities. For instance,
Lily's Kitchen, the UK's leading maker of quality dry and wet natural foods for cats and dogs, was acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare. Nestle will benefit from the deal as it expands its operations in areas such as the Middle East and Asia.
In 2023, Dogs Plate, a Polish pet food company, introduced a new range of wet dog food products with insect protein.
Recent Development
PURINA and Blue Buffalo Co., Ltd. Emerging as Leading Wet Pet Food Giants
Proper nutrition is essential for all pets, and choosing the right food can be overwhelming. Pet owners must decide whether to feed their pets dry food or wet food.
Many dog owners prefer dry food for its affordable price and convenience, while others choose wet pet food on account of its various potential health benefits. However, with a rising focus on pet health due to pet humanization, there has been a sharp rise in the consumption of wet pet foods.
Wet pet foods are more appetizing than kibble to most pets. They contain higher moisture content and tend to be lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein than dry foods. As a result, wet pet foods are gaining immense popularity among owners.
Several companies are shifting their preference towards the wet pet food business as demand for these products continues to surge. Of those, PURINA and Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd. are set to remain at the forefront in pet wet food.
PURINA is offering a wide range of wet pet food products to meet the rising end user demand. The company is continuously striving to develop innovative wet pet food offering with high nutritional content. For instance, in November 2020, Nestle Purina launched new pet food with plant and insect proteins.
Similarly, PURINA is experimenting with wet pet food packaging to reduce environmental impact, expand its customer base, and comply with government regulations. For instance, in September 2020, the company introduced the world’s first recyclable flexible pouch for wet pet food.
Another company that has become a leading wet pet food giant is Blue Buffalo Co., Ltd. General Mills acquired the company in April 2018. Since then, it has significantly improved its customer base, especially in nations like the USA As per General Mills’ official report, Blue Buffalo hit double-digit net sales growth for both dog and cat food.
The company recently launched the Tastefuls line of wet cat food, available in three cuts, including pate, flaked entrees, and tender morsels.
The wet pet food market is valued at USD 22.6 billion in 2023.
The global wet pet food market is projected to reach a valuation of USD 37.7 billion by 2033.
The growth potential of the wet pet food market is 5.5% through 2033
During 2018 to 2022, the wet pet food market registered a CAGR of 3.7%.
Prominent trends involve organic, natural ingredients, grain-free formulations, and novel proteins to match evolving pet dietary choices.
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Wet Pet Food Market
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