Small Mammal and Reptile Food Market Report 2026

The small mammal and reptile food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.19 billion in 2025 to $4.52 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising pet ownership of small mammals and reptiles, expansion of specialty pet stores, increased awareness of captive animal nutrition, availability of formulated pet diets, growth of hobbyist communities.

The small mammal and reptile food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing focus on premium and customized pet nutrition, rising demand for sustainable pet food sourcing, expansion of online pet food retailing, increasing adoption of fortified diets, growing emphasis on animal wellness and longevity. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for species-specific nutrition, rising preference for natural and plant-based ingredients, growing focus on balanced and fortified diets, expansion of premium pet food segments, enhanced emphasis on animal health and wellness.

The rise in spending on animal health is anticipated to drive the growth of the small mammal and reptile food markets in the coming years. Animal health encompasses comprehensive care and management practices designed to support the overall well-being and lifespan of animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife. Increased expenditure on animal health is attributed to factors such as growing pet ownership, heightened demand for animal-derived products, advancements in veterinary medicine, stronger emotional connections between humans and animals, and more stringent regulatory frameworks. Greater investment in animal health increases the demand for specialized small mammal and reptile food, encouraging product innovation, brand loyalty, veterinary collaboration, and overall market expansion within the pet care industry. For example, in March 2023, the American Pet Products Association, a US-based not-for-profit industry organization, reported that spending on pet food and treats reached $58.1 billion, reflecting a substantial 16.2% increase and representing the fastest-growing category. As a result, rising animal health spending is expected to fuel the growth of the small mammal and reptile food market.

The increase in exotic pet ownership is expected to further support the expansion of the small mammal and reptile food market going forward. Exotic pet ownership involves keeping non-traditional or uncommon animals as household pets. The growing popularity of exotic pets is driven by greater exposure to distinctive animals, with social media and online platforms generating interest and making rare species appear more attractive to potential pet owners. Small mammal and reptile food contributes to the rise in exotic pet ownership by offering specialized, nutritionally balanced diets that simplify the care of unique species and make ownership more accessible. For instance, in March 2024, UK Pet Food, a UK-based trade organization for the pet food industry, reported that 60% of UK households, or 17.2 million homes, own one of the country’s 36 million pets. Therefore, the increasing adoption of exotic pets is driving the growth of the small mammal and reptile food market.

In June 2023, Zilla, a US-based manufacturer of pet care products, partnered with 24kGoldn to jointly develop the reptile-focused “Rep Yourself” brand campaign and enhance engagement with both new and existing reptile owners. Through this collaboration, Zilla aims to strengthen its connection with younger reptile enthusiasts by utilizing influencer-led storytelling, increased social media exposure, and co-branded terrarium décor to build brand loyalty and promote improved reptile care education. 24kGoldn is a US-based entertainment brand and recording artist known for producing music and lifestyle content and for engaging large Gen Z audiences across streaming services and social media through culturally relevant and highly shareable creative partnerships.

Major companies operating in the small mammal and reptile food market are Central Garden & Pet Company, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., Big Heart Pet Brands, T-Rex Products LLC, Blue Buffalo Company Ltd., Nulo Pet Food Inc., Drs. Foster & Smith, Higgins Group Corp., Fluker Farms, Nutro Products Inc., F.M. Brown's Sons Inc., Pretty Bird International Inc., Timberline Fisheries Inc., Kaytee Products Inc, Oxbow Animal Health, Zoo Med Laboratories, Vitakraft Sunseed Inc., Rolf C. Hagen Inc., Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, Supreme Pet Supplies (UK) Ltd., Lafeber Company, Taiyo Feed Mill Pvt Ltd, HBH Pet Products Inc., Rep-Cal Research Labs Inc., JurassiPet.

North America was the largest region in the small mammal and reptile food market in 2025. The regions covered in the small mammal and reptile food market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the small mammal and reptile food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The small mammal and reptile food market consists of sales of products including pelleted food, seed mixes, calcium supplements, and herbivore diets. 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.

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