Functional Pet Food Market Size to Hit USD 3.35 Billion in 2026

Functional Pet Food Market Size, Growth, and Trends 2025 to 2035

The global functional pet food market size is projected to expand from USD 3.35 billion in 2026 to USD 7.00 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.54% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. This market is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast period, driven by rising pet humanization and increasing awareness of pet health and wellness.

Last Updated: 19 December 2025 Category: B2C Food & Beverages Products Insight Code: 5966 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

Functional Pet Food Market Size 2025 to 2035

The global functional pet food market size estimated at USD 3.08 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 3.35 billion in 2026 to nearly reaching USD 7.00 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.54% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. The growth of the market is driven by increasing pet ownership and pet humanization.

Functional Pet Food Market Size 2025 to 2035

Key Highlights

  • By region, North America dominated the functional pet food market with approximately 40% share in 2025.
  • By region, Asia Pacific is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period.
  • By region, Europe is expected to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period.
  • By pet, the dogs segment held a major market share of approximately 60% in 2025.
  • By pet, the cats segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By product, the functional dry pet food segment held a major market share of approximately 45% in 2025.
  • By product, the veterinary therapeutic functional diets is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By ingredient, the probiotics & prebiotics segment held a major market share of approximately 34% in 2025.
  • By ingredient, the functional proteins & amino acid segment is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.
  • By health condition focus, the general wellness / preventive nutrition segment held a major market share of approximately 38% in 2025.
  • By health condition focus, the joint disorders & arthritis management is projected to grow at a CAGR between 2026 and 2035.

Functional Pet Food Industry Coverage

Study Coverage Details
Growth Rate from 2026 to 2035 CAGR of 8.54%
Market Size in 2026 USD 3.35 Billion
Market Size in 2027 USD 3.63 Billion
Market Size by 2035 USD 7.00 Billion
Largest Market North America
Base Year 2025
Forecast Period 2026 to 2035
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa

What is the Functional Pet Food Market?

The global functional pet food market comprises pet food products formulated with added functional ingredients that deliver health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These foods support specific physiological functions like joint mobility, digestive health, immunity, skin & coat health, urinary health, weight management, and cognitive function in companion animals. Functional pet foods include dry, wet, and semi-moist formats enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and specialty proteins.

The market growth is also driven by pet humanization trends, rising pet ownership, increased awareness of preventive pet healthcare, growing incidence of pet obesity and chronic conditions, and willingness of pet owners to spend on premium and health-focused nutrition.

  • Industry Growth Overview: The global functional pet food industry is witnessing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable options, natural ingredients and clean-labels, development of functional ingredients such as antioxidants, probiotics and prebiotics, growing e-commerce platforms, and increasing disposable incomes. In addition, increasing use of wearable tech for health monitoring and AI in personalized nutrition, increasing focus towards pet’s health nutrition, increasing focus on pet’s health and wellness, pet premiumization and humanization and rising innovation in functional ingredients, which further drives the market growth. 
  • Increasing consumer preference towards sustainability: The preference towards sustainability in the functional pet food market includes optimizing production, reducing waste, responsible sourcing, and using responsible sourcing, sustainable packaging and eco-friendly ingredients. The sustainability ain the market is also driven by the increasing consumer demand for environmentally conscious and health-focused products, demand for sustainable and insect-based proteins, increasing demand for upcycled and organic ingredients and increasing innovation and consumer demand in packaging and ingredients, further drives the market growth.
  • Startup Ecosystem: The startup ecosystems in the global functional pet food startup ecosystem is growing, driven by tech-driven delivery, personalized nutrition, sustainable or novel ingredients such as plant-based, cultivated meat and insect protein, and pet humanization with innovation focusing on health benefits such as allergies, cognitive and gut health, attracting big investment from major players such as Mars Petcare. Major trends include biotech and AI and creating opportunities for specialized brands and focusing on specific life stages.

Rise of Technological Shifts in Functional Pet Food Market

The rise of technological advancements in functional pet food focus on sustainability such as waste reduction and automation, novel ingredients such as postbiotics and insects, advanced processing such as 3D printing, and personalization such as data and AI. Big data and AI help to analyze pet lifestyles, genetics and health data to create personalized food for specific needs. At-home testing kits for gut microbiome analysis guide tailored prebiotic or probiotic food recommendations. 3D printing enables for tailored nutrient delivery and custom shapes. In addition, preservation technologies such as air-drying, freeze-drying and high-pressure processing maintain nutrient quality in minimally processed and fresh foods, further revolutionize the growth of the functional pet food market.

Trade Analysis of Functional Pet Food Market: Import & Export Statistics

  • India: Exports of cat and dog food in India increased from 57.33 million in 2023 to 73.02 million in 2024. Meanwhile, imports of pet food stood at USD 137.47 million for the same year and other animal feed preparations reached USD 216.29 million in 2024. 
  • Japan: Japan imported 5,876 shipments of Pet Foods during (TTM), according to Japan Import data. These imports were supplied by foreign exporters to 49 buyers in Japan. Japan imports most of its Pet Foods from Indonesia, Vietnam and the United States.  

Value Chain Analysis of Functional Pet Food Market

Raw Material Procurement

  • In the functional pet food industry, the raw material procurement focuses on natural, novel and high-quality ingredients such as functional fibers and specific proteins for targeted health benefits, demanding innovative alternatives, sustainable sourcing and strict quality control. 
  • Market Players: Cargill, Incorporated, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company) and DSM-Firmenich

Packaging and Branding

  • Branding and Packaging for global functional pet food market focuses on creating packaging which may ensures remain stable, safe and fresh by protecting them from contamination, light and moisture.
  • Market Players: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Mars Petcare Inc, Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd, The Farmer's Dog

Waste Management and Recycling

  • The waste management and recycling in the functional pet food industry focus on reducing the environmental impact of clean-label and plant-based foods, including wastewater and clean-label ingredients, through advanced processing technologies recyclable packaging.
  • Key Players: Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina PetCare and Freshpet, Inc.

Functional Pet Food Industry Regulatory Landscape: Global Regulations

Country Regulatory Body Key Regulations Focus Areas Notable Notes
India Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Safety Regulations) and Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Major focus areas in the functional pet food market focuses on dietary interventions, plant-based and functional supplements, driven by the increasing health strategies and increasing pet’s awareness and health focus  Functional pet food is focused on preventive health and humanization to enhance the efficiency, consistency and quality of high-quality food options products, to enhance pet’s health, immune system and health and wellness.

Functional Pet Food Market Regional Insights

Why is North America Dominating the Functional Pet Food Market?

North America dominated the market with approximate share of 40% in 2025. The market growth in the global market is attributed to the rising innovation in pet food products, preventive health trends, demand for joint support and gut health, increasing regulatory standards, rising technological advancements in smart pet feeding, growing e-commerce platforms, focus on long-term wellness, increasing demand for health-focused and functional nutrition and pet humanization.

The North America functional pet food market size was calculated at USD 1.23 billion in 2025 with projections indicating a rise from USD 1.33 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 2.78 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 8.54% throughout the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.

North America Functional Pet Food Market Size 2025 to 2035

The U.S. Functional Pet Food Market Trend

The functional pet food market in the U.S. is rapidly growing, driven by increasing demand for natural or premium options, pet humanization, increasing focus on pet health and wellness, rising premiumization, growing e-commerce platforms, increasing demand for customized, human-grade, raw, grain-free and organic food, and growing interest in human-grade and fresh foods.

Asia Pacific is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period

The f market growth in the region is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing focus on ingredients such as omega-3s, increasing focus on healthy options such as specialty diets and nutraceuticals, demand for high-quality and premium food options, rising urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and rising pet humanization. Major growth areas such as Southeast Asia, India and China are focusing on major ingredients with strong online sales.

India Functional Pet Food Market Trends

India is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The functional pet food industry in India is booming, driven by increasing spending on pet health, growing humanization trends and rising pet ownership, with demand shifting from basic food to specialized and premium nutrition such as dental, joint and digestive for specific needs, driven by growing awareness of pet wellness and e-commerce platforms, making it a higher growth area with significant for new brands and innovation.

 Functional Pet Food Market Share, By Region, 2025 (%)

Why Does Europe Driving the Functional Pet Food Market?

Europe is expected to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period. The functional pet food industry in Europe is driven by growing owners seeking preventive health solutions, rising pet humanization and increasing demand fo specialized and premium diets with ingredients such as joint support, omegas and probiotics. In addition, growing demand for health-condition, breed-specific and age-specific diets, focus on preventive healthcare, and increasing willingness to pay more for functional and high-quality ingredients, further drives the market growth.

The Germany Functional Pet Food Market Trends

The maternal nutrition industry in Germany is growing significantly, driven by rising pet ownership, premiumization and pet humanization, with pet owners seeking organic. Natural, health-focused and high-quality options such as grain-free formulas and probiotics, leading to significant growth in specialty diets for wellness and bone health, towards various brands.

How are the Middle East and Africa Fueling the Functional Pet Food Market?

The functional pet food market in the region is growing significantly, driven by increasing awareness of pet health and rising pet humanization, especially in urban areas such as South Africa, Saudi Arabia and UAE. With specific health benefits, consumers are demanding premium and high-quality products, further increasing the demand for functional pet food in the region.

UAE Functional Pet Food Market Trends

The functional pet food industry in UAE is growing, attributed to the premiumization trends, increasing disposable incomes and rising pet humanization, with pet owners looking for specialized nutrition for wellness and health, driving demand via retail and retail for mid-to-premium options, further dominated by high spending and ownership.

Why Does South America Transforming The Functional Pet Food Market

The market growth in the region is growing rapidly in South America, driven by increasing demand for specialized foods with benefits such as digestive/joint support, omega-3s and probiotics, increasing pet ownership, increasing disposable incomes and pet humanization.

Brazil Functional Pet Food Market Trends

The functional pet food industry in Brazil is growing significantly, driven by increasing demand for natural and health-focused ingredients, increasing pet ownership and treating pets as family member, with trends pointing to innovative treats, specialized diets and premiumization, with strong local players and major global players.

Functional Pet Food Market Segmental Insights

Pet Insights

Why is Dog Segment Dominating the Functional Pet Food Market?

Dogs segment dominated the market with share of approximately 60% in 2025. The segment growth in the market is attributed to the increasing dog ownership, increasing consumer willingness or trend to treat dogs as family members, increasing demand for clean-label, natural and functional dog food and increasing rapid adoption of dogs and dog functional food. The right amount of food for dogs depends on various factors, such as health status, activity level, weight and age. Senior dogs, adult dogs, and puppies all have different nutritional demands.

Pet Ownership in India (Source: Canada)

Category 2022 2023
% Households owning a dog 7.70% 7.90%
Households owning a dog 23,080.80 23,967.60

The Cat Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for cat functional food and products, increasing cat ownership, increasing rapid urbanization and increasing demand for premium and health-focused functional food and growing popularity of cats. Cats consume nutritional food from birds, small reptiles, fresh rodents, and other prey animals as they are predatory carnivores. In addition, there are various benefits for cats consuming functional foods, such as managing health-related needs, ensuring balanced nutrition for specific diets, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and supporting health diseases.

Product Insights

How Does Functional Dry Pet Food Segment Dominating the Functional Pet Food Market?

The functional dry pet food segment dominated the market with approximate share of 45% in 2025. The segment growth in the global market is attributed to the increasing demand for nutritionally balanced and convenient pet food options. Dry pet food products continue to be widely preferred by consumers due to benefits such as ease of storage, portion control and dental health support. Due to its dental health benefits, portion control, and ease of storage, various pet owners prefer dry food products. In addition, the segment growth is also driven by driven by cost-effectiveness, longer shelf life, and convenience.

The Veterinary the Rapeutic Functional Diets Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the market is driven by the increasing spending on pet health, owner awareness, increasing pet ownership, increasing prevalence of pet awareness of chronic diseases, increasing rates of allergies, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, increasing demand for precision and personalized nutrition and advances in formulation. 

Ingredient Insights

What Factors Help Probiotics & Prebiotics Segment to Grow in 2025?

The probiotics and prebiotics segment dominated the market with approximate share of 34% in 2025. Probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in the functional pet food industry for enhancing digestion, immunity and gut health, driven by preventive wellness demand for pet owner, with probiotics adding beneficial microbes and prebiotics feeding good bacteria to help manage conditions such as UTIs and improve nutrient absorption and stool quality. 

The Functional Proteins and Amino Acids Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The functional proteins and amino acids are crucial in the functional pet food market for providing building blocks for hormones, immunity, skin, and muscles, while also delivering specific health advantages such as anti-inflammatory effects and gut support, driven by demand for pet owner for enhanced targeted nutrition, sustainability and wellness. They also offer therapeutic value, with sources such as algae, plant-based options and animal protein.

Health Condition Focus

Why is General Wellness/ Preventive Nutrition Segment Dominating Functional Pet Food Market?

The general wellness/preventive nutrition segment dominated the market with approximate share of 38% in 2025. The segment growth in the market is driven by the increasing pet owner shift from reactive to proactive care, increasing strong consumer desire and demand to spend, demand for functional pet foods, focus on digestive health and gut microbiome, enhance mobility and joint health, weight management, skin and coat health and support immune system.

The Joint Disorders & Arthritis Management Segment is Expected to Grow Fastest During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the increasing consumer focus on management and preventative strategy for osteoarthritis, rising innovation in nutraceuticals, increasing focus on preventive care, growing pet obesity rates, increased pet humanization and growing aging pet population.

Recent Developments in the Functional Pet Food Market

Ancestral Natural Pet Food

  • Launch: In December 2025, the launch of Ancestral Bites, its first product was announced by Ancestral Natural Pet Food. The aim behind this launch was to promote vitality, mental wellbeing, healthy digestion and overall health. (Source: Pet Food Processing)

Primal Pet Foods

  • Launch: In September 2025, the "More Time in Their Prime" brand campaign was launched by Primal Pet Foods. The aim behind this launch was to connect pets' natural behaviors with their ancestral dietary needs and promote raw nutrition benefits for dogs and cats. (Source: PetFood Industry)

Top Vendors in Functional Pet Food Market & Their Offerings

  • Mars Petcare: The company dominates through strong vet channel presence and premiumization, using acquisitions such as Nom Nom to enhance functional offerings and DTC.
  • Nestle Purina: The company leveraging global reach and innovates with mass-market sustainable options, probiotics and functional foods.
  • ADM & Kerry Group: ADM & Kerry Groups is a major ingredient supplier and significant for innovation in functional ingredients such as palatants, proteins and enzymes.

Top Companies Lists

Segments Covered in the Report

By Pet Type

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Others (small mammals, specialty pets)

By Product Type

  • Functional Dry Pet Food
  • Functional Wet Pet Food
  • Semi-Moist / Treat-Based Functional Food
  • Veterinary Therapeutic Functional Diets

By Ingredient Type

  • Probiotics & Prebiotics
  • Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids
  • Glucosamine & Chondroitin
  • Vitamins & Antioxidants
  • Botanicals & Herbal Extracts
  • Functional Proteins & Amino Acids

By Health Condition Focus

  • General Wellness / Preventive Nutrition
  • Obesity & Weight Control
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Joint Disorders & Arthritis
  • Skin Allergies & Sensitivities
  • Renal & Urinary Health

By Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • MEA
  • Latin America
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  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Vidyesh Swar, Senior Research Analyst at Towards Food & Beverages, specializes in market research, focusing on supply-demand evaluation, pricing analysis, alternative proteins, plant-based foods, and sustainable food technologies within the industry.

Learn more about Vidyesh Swar

Aditi Shivarkar, with 14+ years in Food and Beverages market research, specializes in food, beverage, and eco-friendly packaging. She ensures accurate, actionable insights, driving Towards FnB's excellence in industry trends and sustainability.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Insights

FAQ's

The functional pet food market is valued at USD 3.08 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 7.00 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.54%. This reflects strong long-term demand driven by pet humanization and preventive healthcare trends.

North America benefits from advanced veterinary infrastructure, strong regulatory standards, high pet healthcare spending, and widespread adoption of functional and preventive nutrition, especially for joint, gut, and immune health.

The dog segment accounts for approximately 60% of market share, supported by higher ownership rates, stronger emotional attachment, and greater spending on functional nutrition compared to other pet categories.

The cat segment is growing fastest due to urban living trends, rising cat adoption, and increasing demand for specialized nutrition addressing urinary health, digestion, and age-related conditions.

Functional dry pet food leads with about 45% market share, favored for its convenience, longer shelf life, cost efficiency, and dental health benefits making it a stable revenue generator for manufacturers.

Sustainability is now a core purchase driver, with rising demand for insect-based proteins, upcycled ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and transparent sourcing, influencing both brand value and regulatory compliance.

The market is moderately consolidated, led by Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina, and Hill’s, while startups are gaining traction through personalization, DTC models, and novel ingredients driving M&A and partnership activity.

The outlook remains highly positive, supported by aging pet populations, preventive healthcare adoption, digital pet health ecosystems, and continued premiumization positioning the market as a resilient, long-term growth asset.