Therapeutic Dog Food Global Market Report 2024

The therapeutic dog food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.46 billion in 2023 to $6.91 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to increased rates of pet ownership, heightened awareness of pet health, a rise in the humanization of pets, the prevalence of canine health issues, and recommendations from veterinary professionals.

The therapeutic dog food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.66 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing aging pet population, a rising incidence of allergies, advancements in veterinary medicine, the emergence of nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition, and a growing emphasis on digestive health. Noteworthy trends in the forecast period include the popularity of customized and prescription diets, the adoption of grain-free and limited ingredient diets, the growth of online retail, the ongoing trend of humanizing pet food, and increased research in the field of nutrigenomics.

The anticipated surge in pet ownership is poised to drive the growth of the therapeutic dog food market in the future. Pet ownership, encompassing the ownership, harboring, or custody of dogs, cats, or other domestic animals, is a key factor contributing to the increased consumption of therapeutic dog food. This specialized food aids in disease prevention and provides essential nutrients for the proper growth and balanced diet of dogs. Notably, Health for Animals reported in September 2022 that 70% of American households owned pets in 2021, reaching a total of 150 million pets, up from 68% in 2016. The global ownership of over 500 million dogs and cats in the U.S., EU, and China further underscores the significant rise in pet ownership, driving the growth of the therapeutic dog food market.

The growth of the therapeutic dog food market is also expected to be fueled by the increasing prevalence of zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases, caused by infectious microorganisms, infections, and parasites that can be transmitted between animals and humans, have led to heightened awareness about preventive measures, including maintaining the health of animals. As a result, there is an anticipated rise in demand for therapeutic dog food as pet owners seek products that support their dogs' immune systems, digestive health, and overall well-being. In December 2022, the European Food Safety Authority reported 127,840 recorded cases of zoonotic diseases in Europe in 2021, compared to 120,946 in 2020, with salmonellosis being the second-most reported disease, affecting 60,050 people in 2022. Consequently, the increasing prevalence of zoonotic diseases is a driving factor for the therapeutic dog food market.

A prominent trend in the therapeutic dog food market is the adoption of product innovations by major companies. These companies are leveraging recent technologies to sustain their market positions. For instance, in August 2022, PawCo Foods, a U.S.-based company specializing in healthy and delicious pet foods made from plant-based meat, introduced the world's first pet food made from plant-based meat. This innovative product provides all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino acids required for the flourishing health of adult dogs, making it suitable for pets with allergies.

Major companies in the therapeutic dog food market are focusing on developing new products, including clinical nutrition. Clinical nutrition involves specialized nutritional supplements or food items developed and prescribed for individuals with specific medical conditions or nutritional needs. In March 2023, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., a U.S.-based pet food company, launched Prescription Diet ONC Care. This product is designed to nourish and support pets facing the challenges of cancer, addressing their nutritional needs throughout the treatment process. The solution encourages a healthy appetite, helps preserve muscle mass with high-quality protein, and supports digestion with ActivBiome+ digestive support.

In July 2021, General Mills Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer and marketer of branded processed consumer foods, completed the acquisition of Tyson Foods' pet treats business for $1.2 billion in cash. This strategic move expands General Mills Inc.'s blue pet food portfolio by incorporating brands such as nudges, top chews, and true chews. Tyson Foods Inc., the acquired business, is a U.S.-based corporation offering pet food, including therapeutic dog food.

Major companies operating in the therapeutic dog food market report are Nestlé S.A., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Mars Incorporated, General Mills Inc., The J.M. Smucker Company, Unicharm Corporation, Nisshin Seifun Group Inc., Thai Union Group PCL, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., Spectrum Brands Inc., Royal Canin SAS, Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd., Virbac Corporation, Dechra Veterinary Products LLC, Affinity Petcare S.A., Schell & Kampeter Inc., Vetoquinol Group, Champion Petfoods, JustFoodForDogs, Darwin's Natural Pet Products, Animonda Petcare GmbH, Health Extension, Gambol Pet Group, Rayne Clinical Nutrition LLC, Vetdiet, iVet Professional Formulas., Wellness Pet Company, Alpo Petfoods Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the therapeutic dog food market in 2023. The regions covered in the therapeutic dog food market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the therapeutic dog food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary categories of therapeutic dog food include dry food, wet or canned food, snacks or treats, and other formulations. Dry food pertains to food with a water activity (AW) below 0.6, provided that packaging and storage conditions prevent moisture absorption. Various distribution channels include supermarkets or hypermarkets, specialty pet food stores, online platforms, and others. Therapeutic dog food serves purposes such as weight management, digestive care, allergy and immune system health, diabetes management, skin and coat care, kidney health, hip and joint care, as well as support for illness and surgery recovery, among other applications.

The therapeutic dog food market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides therapeutic dog food market statistics, including therapeutic dog food industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with therapeutic dog food market share, detailed therapeutic dog food market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the therapeutic dog food industry. This therapeutic dog food market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The therapeutic dog food market consists of sales of raw dog food, complete dog food, and complementary dog food. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.