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July 2025
The global wet pet food market size was reached at USD 26.68 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to increase from USD 27.90 billion in 2025 to an estimated USD 41.75 billion by 2034, witnessing a CAGR of 4.58% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The increased focus on the health, well-being, and dietary needs of pets raises the demand for wet pet food.
| Study Coverage | Details |
| Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 4.58% |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 27.90 Billion |
| Market Size in 2026 | USD 29.18 Billion |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 41.75 Billion |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
Wet pet food refers to pet food with a high moisture content, typically ranging from 70% to 85%. It is made with fresh or frozen meats, grains, and added vitamins and minerals, and is commonly packaged in cans, pouches, or trays. Wet pet food is known for its palatability, digestibility, and appeal to pets with lower water intake, dental issues, or specific dietary needs.
Pet Population in India: Number of Animals in 2024 and 2028: Historic and Forecast by the Government of Canada
| Sr. No. | Category | 2024 | 2028 |
| 1. | Pet Population (Total) | 42,165.10 | 58,706.80 |
| 2. | Cat | 4,072.20 | 5,752.00 |
| 3. | Dogs (total) | 36,853.90 | 51,527.40 |
| 4. | Small Dog (up to 20 pounds or 9 kilograms) | 18,729.50 | 26,769.50 |
| 5. | Medium Dog (20 to 50 pounds or 9 to 23 kilograms) | 5,069.90 | 6,860.00 |
| 6. | Large Dog (Over 50 pounds or over 23 kilograms) | 13,054.50 | 17,897.90 |
| 7. | Bird | 196.2 | 222 |
| 8. | Fish | 963.7 | 1,123.00 |
| 9. | Small Mammal/Reptile | 79.1 | 82.4 |
(Source: agriculture canada)
There is an emerging trend in the development of weight management products for pets, which include low-calorie wet pet food. Another pet food that can promote weight management in pets is also produced. The new products like a special fiber blend can help cats to manage their weights and reduce the feeling of hunger. This appetite control care product for cats also helps cats to feel full of food and reduces their tendency to beg for food.
With the rising health risks, veterinarians and pet owners are having increased concerns about weight gain in pets. There are concerns associated with the right texture for wet pet foods. Texture testing, product appeal, palatability, and product freshness. It is challenging making a consistent and appealing product to satisfy loyal customers and gain market share with new customers.
How North America Dominated the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
North America dominated the wet pet food market in 2024 owing to market access, regulatory standards, and trade promotion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set a rule for food manufacturers of cats and dogs for the reanalysis of their food safety where the food is FDA regulated. According to the Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls for Animal Food of the FDA, many animal food businesses are encouraged to develop their plans for food safety. The FDA also recommends that animal or pet food businesses must conduct the identification, testing, and evaluation of known or other hazards for several types of animals or pet food that has undergone manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution at the respective facilities.
What is the FDA Regulation on Pet Food?
The FDA regulates and ensures various factors such as ingredients, labeling, inspections, and compliance. The FDA regulates pet food like other animal food. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) ensures the safety of all animal foods, like human foods. It ensures the production of animal foods under sanitary conditions and without any harmful substances.
Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the wet pet food market during the forecast period due to initiatives in China and India, and general regulatory trends. Some of the Asian Pacific countries, like Thailand, Italy, and China, remain as the top three largest suppliers of pet food to the Philippines in 2023. The Philippines ranked 7th within the Indo-Pacific region in 2023 and the 30th largest importer of pet food globally.
How is India Growing with Pet Population and Ownership?
In recent years, India has experienced a significant growth in the pet population through social media campaigns and efforts by major brands. They spread awareness of the benefits of cat ownership, which has motivated Indian pet owners to become receptive to owning cats. There has been a remarkable growth in retail sales of pet food in India. The key mediums to distribute the majority of Indian pet food are non-grocery retailers, which include pet shops and superstores, and others are non-retail channels like veterinary clinics and online retail channels like e-commerce.
How Dogs Segment Dominated the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The dogs segment dominated the wet pet food market in 2024 owing to the benefits of commercial dog food for complete and balanced nutrition of dogs. Dogs can get formulated food to meet their nutritional needs along with essential nutrients for their growth and maintenance. The pet food for dogs offers convenience and ease of feeding due to pre-portioned and ready-to-serve food. Dogs obtain consistent nutrient delivery through foods having variety and palatability. The food for dogs provides them with good dental health support by addressing their specific needs and providing specialty diets for health conditions.
The Cats Segment is Expected to Grow at the Fastest CAGR in the Market During the Forecast Period.
Due to the importance of feeding cats with quality pet food. The pet food for cats supports them with optimal nutrition, overall health, healthy weight management, strong bones and muscles, and healthy skin and coat. This food helps cats with enhanced digestive health, reduced risk of chronic diseases, optimal hydration, and better palatability.
What Made Chunks in Gravy the Dominant Segment in the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The chunks in gravy segment dominated the wet pet food market in 2024 owing to increased hydration, enhanced palatability, and the ease of chewing and digesting from chunks in gravy pet food. It helps to manage weight and improves skin and coat health. This type of wet pet food provides nutritional benefits through high-quality protein sources like beef, fish, or real chicken enriched with vitamins and minerals. The nutrients obtained from these foods support immune function, muscle development, healthy bones and teeth, and overall health and vitality. Consumers are choosing high-quality wet food which contains real ingredients without the addition of any fillers, preservatives, and artificial additives.
The Pâté segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period, due to high moisture content and the ease of chewing and digestion. The pate-style wet food is highly palatable, assists in weight management, and it is more nutritious.
How did the Animal-based Segment Dominate the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The animal-based segment dominated the wet pet food market in 2024 owing to the presence of high-quality protein, essential nutrients, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, etc. in animal-based ingredient sources. They are bioavailable and rich in specialized nutrients like long-chain n-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), creatine, anserine, taurine, and carnosine. These bioactive compounds support neurological health, muscle function, and antioxidant defenses. They support children to meet their specific needs related to muscle growth, maintenance, and cognitive function. There is a great importance to animal protein as complete proteins due to their richness of all nine essential amino acids needed for optimal growth, maintenance, and repair functioning of the body.
The Poultry Segment Held the Largest Share as a Sub-Segment.
Due to the importance of animal-based poultry ingredients for human consumption in terms of complete protein sources, essential micronutrients, nutrient density, and beneficial fats. These poultry ingredients are beneficial for poultry feed for improving animal health, performance, digestibility, and palatability. They provide reduced costs, allow sustainable practices, and enhance nutrient recycling.
The fish and seafood segment is seen to grow rapidly as a sub-segment due to the presence of essential fatty acids, high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. This type of food contributes to disease reduction through regular consumption of fish, which also reduces the risk of depression, stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers.
How Cans Segment Dominated the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The cans segment dominated the wet pet food market in 2024 owing to the durability, protection, long shelf life, safety, and hygiene offered by packaging in cans. Packaging in cans ensures sustainability, recyclability, and efficiency for logistics. The cans are versatile in nature due to their potential for design and branding. The cans are lightweight, convenient, and cost-effective. Packaging in cans helps to preserve the freshness and flavor of products.
The pouches segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period due to the cost-effectiveness and sustainability associated with packaging in pouches. The pouches help to protect and preserve the products while offering convenience and portability.
What Made Premium the Dominant Segment in the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The premium segment dominated the wet pet food market in 2024. The segment is observed to sustain that position during the forecast period. This segmental growth is attributed to the benefits associated with a premium pricing strategy in terms of increased profit margins, enhanced brand image, and perception. The premium pricing allows stronger differentiation between businesses and their competitors along with competitive advantages. It introduces customer loyalty, flexibility, and pricing power. It results in increased profitability by allowing research and development, improved quality, enhanced customer service, and brand building.
How did the Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Segment Dominate the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The supermarkets & hypermarkets segment dominated the market in 2024 owing to economies of scale, wider customer base, and diverse revenue streams. They present increased brand recognition and are potentially ideal for strategic partnerships. They allow access to technologies, adaptability, and resilience. They are convenient for consumers due to the wide variety of choices and competitive pricing. The supermarket and hypermarket businesses introduce promotional schemes for products and the quality and freshness of products.
The online retail segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the wet pet food market during the forecast period, due to the advantages associated with online retail businesses, such as global reach and expanded customer base. The online retail channels offer lower operational costs, scalability, and flexibility.
How Adult Segment Dominated the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The adult segment dominated the market in 2024 owing to the benefits of wet pet food for adult dogs, which include hydration, digestibility, and weight management. These foods offer improved palatability and dental health to adult dogs. The wet pet food is considered suitable for dental hygiene of adult dogs due to the presence of quality ingredients. They help adult dogs or adult pets to manage their weights through low calorie density and controlled portions. These foods are gentle on the stomach and offer enhanced nutrient absorption for adult pets.
The senior segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the wet pet food market during the forecast period, due to the potential of wet pet food in muscle mass maintenance and ideal nature for specific health conditions of many senior pets. Senior pets can experience improved palatability, increased hydration, and the ease of chewing and swallowing from wet pet food.
What Made General Wellness the Dominant Segment in the Wet Pet Food Market in 2024?
The general wellness segment dominated the market in 2024 owing to the nutritional value of wet pet food for overall health and wellness. This food is easily digestible, palatable, and improves hydration. The wet pet foods are rich in proteins, macronutrients, fat, and other essential minerals and vitamins. These foods are available in the form of softer texture and higher moisture content. Wet pet food improves the digestion, urinary tract health, and kidney function of several pets.
The digestive health segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period, due to no additions of fillers, artificial additives, or preservatives to the wet pet food. This food is ideal for treating specific conditions like kidney disease, sensitive stomach, dental issues, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Nestlé Purina PetCare
Colgate-Palmolive
By Pet Type
By Product Type
By Ingredient Source
By Packaging Type
By Price Range
By Distribution Channel
By Life Stage
By Functional Benefit
By Region
July 2025
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