US Pet Treats - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The uS pet treats market size was valued at USD 10.50 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 11.25 billion in 2026 to reach USD 15.84 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.10% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is Segmented by Product (Dental Treats, Crunchy Treats, Soft and Chewy Treats, Freeze-Dried and Jerky Treats, and Other Treats), by Pet Type (Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets), and Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Specialty Stores, Convenience Stores, Online Channel, and Other Channels). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Units).

US Pet Treats Market Trends and Insights

Premiumization and Natural Ingredient Demand

The US pet treats market continues to benefit from pet owners moving toward natural, premium, and cleaner-label products, even while household budgets remain selective. The American Pet Products Association reported that the share of dog owners buying premium food rose by 5% from 2023 to 2024, while the share buying basic food fell by 7%, which shows that trade-up behavior remains durable in pet care. In the US pet treats market, that preference is becoming more specific, as buyers seek named proteins, limited-ingredient recipes, and human-grade processing rather than paying more for brand recognition alone. Millennials and Gen Z owners also show an 18 to 20% higher likelihood of owning multiple pets, which increases repeat treat purchasing and supports premium basket growth across dog and cat households. Ingredient transparency now serves as a basic purchase filter in the pet specialty channel, meaning brands without clear sourcing and formula communication face a weaker position in the US pet treats market.

Functional Wellness and Dental Treat Adoption

The US pet treats market is moving closer to routine wellness because dental, digestive, joint, and immune-related positioning is pushing treats into daily care habits. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) accepted products list has become an important commercial screening tool, giving dental treats with recognized efficacy stronger shelf appeal in both stores and e-commerce. This demand is also being reinforced by veterinary connectivity, as Chewy stated in its fiscal 2024 finanacials that around 17,000 veterinary practices were enrolled in PracticeHub as of February 2025, which linked a large share of clinics to its digital pet care ecosystem. Nulo used this direction in 2024 when it launched a functional jerky treat and dental chew line with premium meat content, a BC30 probiotic, and targeted benefits such as mobility and gut health. Mars also strengthened this space in 2025 with GREENIES Canine Dental Check, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool tied to veterinary technician consultation, which shows how the US pet treats market is increasingly linking product sales with health monitoring and service layers.

Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Label Modernization Compliance Burden

The US pet treats market is also dealing with higher compliance costs as the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Pet Food Label Modernization rules move through implementation. The updated framework took effect on January 1, 2024, and requires changes such as a mandatory purpose statement at the bottom of the principal display panel and standardized formatting alongside net quantity language. Even with multi-year enforcement discretion in many states, manufacturers selling across several jurisdictions still face different timing and review conditions, which complicates packaging transitions. The Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) held dedicated labeling workshops in 2025 to support manufacturers, indicating that the learning curve remains significant for the sector. In the US pet treats market, the result is higher label review expenses, slower product launch cycles, and greater strain on smaller players without large in-house regulatory teams.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Rising Cat Ownership and Cat-Focused Treat Demand
• Online Autoship and Recurring Digital Purchasing
• Food and Drug Administration Scrutiny of Therapeutic and Cannabidiol-Style Claims

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

Dental Treats captured 23.2% of the US pet treats market share in 2025, making them the largest product type by value. Their position is supported by growing owner awareness of oral health and by the role of recognized efficacy screens, such as the accepted products list maintained by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. This gives the segment a stronger daily-use case than purely indulgent formats because owners can justify repeat purchase as part of regular care. Crunchy Biscuits and Cookies still hold broad volume, especially in value and private-label assortments distributed through grocery and mass channels. Soft and Chewy Treats also remain important because they fit training, reward, and convenience-led use cases across both dog and cat households.

Freeze-Dried and Jerky Treats are the fastest-growing product type, and this segment of the US pet treats market is projected to expand at a 8.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. The category is being helped by capacity additions such as PetSource by Scoular’s 2024 Seward expansion and Muenster Milling’s 2024 Denton facility, both of which increased domestic production readiness for premium treat formats. That is lowering barriers for brands that want raw-adjacent positioning without carrying the same earlier supply constraints. Jerky and Meat Treats remain relevant because they fit high-protein and ingredient-forward demand. Rawhide and other long-lasting chew formats still matter in the US pet treats industry, but growth has moderated as consumers shift toward digestible alternatives with cleaner ingredient narratives.

Complete Report Scope:

• Product
  • Dental Treats
  • Crunchy Treats
  • Soft & Chewy Treats
  • Freeze-dried and Jerky Treats
  • Other Treats
• Pet Type
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Other Pets
• Distribution Channel
  • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
  • Specialty Stores
  • Convenience Stores
  • Online Channel
  • Other Channels

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Mars, Incorporated
• Nestlé S.A. (Purina)
• The J.M. Smucker Company
• General Mills, Inc.
• Colgate-Palmolive Company (Hill's Pet Nutrition)
• Wellness Pet Company, Inc.
• Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
• Central Garden & Pet Company
• Virbac S.A.
• Sunshine Mills, Inc.
• Schell & Kampeter, Inc.
• Stella & Chewy's, LLC
• The Honest Kitchen, Inc.
• Redbarn Pet Products, LLC
• Nulo Pet Food, Inc.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support