by Cat wet food is an integral part of cat nutrition which comes ready-to-serve and is typically packed in cans or pouches with a high moisture content. It helps maintain dental hygiene in cats and prevent various oral problems. With rising population of cat owners globally, the demand for high-quality and nutrient-rich wet cat food is increasing steadily. Wet food mimics a cat’s natural prey and provides nutrients in a format similar to what cats eat in the wild. It contains meat, gravy or sauce, and important vitamins and minerals required to meet a pet cat’s nutritional needs. The global cat wet food market offers variety of options including fish-based, poultry-based, beef-based, vegetarian, and variety packs. With hectic lifestyles, wet food is gaining prominence as it is easy to serve and does not require any additional preparation.
The global cat wet food Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 5.79 Billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.
Market Dynamics:
One of the key drivers for the growth of the cat wet food market is the rising pet humanization trend across developed nations. According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey 2020-2021, 63.4 million American households now own a pet cat. With over 50% of all households in Western countries now owning a pet cat, wet cat food market players are launching new premium and organic products targeted at health-conscious pet owners. Another factor fueling the market growth is high nutritional value of wet cat food that helps support digestive health, joint care, skin and coat health in pets. Increasing awareness about dental and oral care has further prompted cat owners to prefer wet food over dry kibble. In addition, innovations in product variety such as satiety-focused ingredients, palatability enhancers, meat-focused recipes, and raw or freeze-dried formats are expanding the uptake of cat canned food.
Segment Analysis
The global cat wet food market is primarily segmented into organic and conventional. The conventional segment dominates the market and accounts for around 60% of the total market share. Conventional cat wet food products are more affordable as compared to organic products which make them popular among cat owners.
PEST Analysis
- Political: The government regulations regarding ingredients used in pet food are becoming more stringent to ensure safety of pets. Certain regulations help foster innovation in the market.
- Economic: Rise in disposable incomes and growing humanization of pets is driving increased spending on premium cat food products. The economic uncertainty during COVID pandemic led to stockpiling of cat foods.
- Social: People are increasingly treating their cats as family members and willing to spend more on ensuring their nutrition and well-being. Organic and natural products are gaining popularity.
- Technological: Advancements in ingredient formulations help address various nutritional needs of cats like wet age, joint care, weight management etc. Innovation in packaging increases shelf-life and convenience.
Key Takeaways
The global cat wet food market size was valued at US$ 5.79 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 8.42 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.
Regional analysis: North America was the largest regional market due to high pet ownership and premiumization. The U.S. dominates North America market with over 50% share. Asia Pacific cat wet food market is projected to witness highest growth led by India and China. Rising millennial pet ownership and nuclear family culture in Asia is propelling market growth.
Key players operating in the cat wet food market are Nestle S.A, Mars, Incorporated, Royal Canin SAS, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc., Unicharm Corporation, Heristo AG, Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd., and Central Proteina Prima Tbk, among others. Key players are focused on product innovations and expansion in emerging markets for long-term sustainability and growth.
