Insect-Based Pet Food - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The insect-based pet food market size was valued at USD 0.95 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 1.05 billion in 2026 to USD 1.73 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.50% from 2026 to 2031. This report is Segmented by Insect Species (Black Soldier Fly, Mealworm, and More), by Pet Type (Dogs, Cats, and Others), by Form (Dry Kibble, Treats and Chews, and More), by Distribution Channel (Pet Specialty Stores, Online, and More), and by Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Insect-Based Pet Food Market Trends and Insights

Growing Consumer Demand for Sustainable Proteins

Pet owners increasingly track the environmental score of companion animal diets and reward brands that cut emissions. A 2025 survey of Australian households showed that 70.3% preferred feeding insects to pets overeating insects themselves, demonstrating that pet food offers a comfortable stepping stone into alternative proteins. Multinational firms responded quickly, such as Mars Petcare, which sponsored the Next Generation Pet Food Program in 2024 and followed with an innovation accelerator in 2025. Consumers remain willing to pay premium prices when the ecological benefit is explicit on the pack. As volumes climb and costs rise, the premium is projected to narrow, bringing mainstream shoppers into the insect-based pet food market.

Regulatory Approvals for Insect Protein Inclusion

The insect-based pet food market is experiencing growth due to increasing regulatory recognition of insect-derived ingredients in North America. In January 2025, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) granted official status to dried black soldier fly larvae for use in adult dog and cat food, broadening the regulatory framework for insect protein in companion animal nutrition. Additionally, in October 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance indicating it generally does not intend to enforce actions against ingredients listed in the 2024 AAFCO Official Publication. These regulatory advancements lower market-entry barriers, foster product innovation, and attract investment in insect-based pet nutrition, thereby driving market growth.

Limited Large-Scale Insect Farming Capacity

Few facilities surpass the 10,000 metric tons annual threshold required by multinational buyers. Aspire Food Group’s 150,000-square-foot cricket plant in Ontario never reached its designed output and entered receivership in 2025, highlighting scale risks. Disease outbreaks and temperature swings can wipe out an entire cohort within days, forcing costly biosecurity upgrades. Capacity shortages oblige brands to multi-source, which lifts logistics overhead and complicates traceability audits under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certification. Until automated rearing and breeding lines mature, the insect-based pet food market will rely on a narrow supplier pool, limiting growth.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• High Protein Digestibility and Hypoallergenic Appeal
• Lower Carbon and Water Footprint Versus Meat Sources
• Price Premium Over Poultry and Meat By-products

Segment Analysis

Black soldier fly held the largest 41% share of the insect-based pet food market size in 2025, underscoring its established farming scale and regulatory acceptance. House cricket protein is the fastest segment, projected to advance at a 15.0% CAGR over 2026-2031 as palatability trials confirm strong acceptance among both dogs and cats. The clear gap between a dominant share and the swiftest growth highlights how early infrastructure advantages contrast with emerging consumer preferences. Together, these two species frame the competitive core of the category, with black soldier fly anchoring volumes and house cricket setting the innovation pace.

The insect-based pet food market for black soldier fly products benefits from integrated plants that convert food-processing residues into protein, oil, and fertilizer, creating a circular-economy storyline that resonates with European retailers. Capacity expansion loans from the European Investment Bank in 2024 funded new facilities in Poland that will supply more than 100 brands with black soldier fly meal and oil. Cricket farms in Southeast Asia plan to leverage warmer climates to keep energy intensity low and reinforce price competitiveness. Continuous breeding improvements are projected to increase output per square meter, helping producers meet rising demand from premium treat manufacturers. Over the forecast horizon, black soldier fly is set to stay the largest segment, while house cricket will record the swiftest advance in premium and specialty formulations.

Dogs commanded the largest 66% market share in the insect-based pet food market size in 2025, driven by higher daily feed volumes and early adopter enthusiasm. Cats, while smaller today, are forecast to have the fastest demand trajectory, with a 13.5% CAGR for 2026-2031, owing to their hypoallergenic positioning and improving wet-food palatability. The contrast shows dogs generate stable core revenue, whereas felines inject accelerated growth that ingredient suppliers cannot ignore. This split encourages manufacturers to balance bulk canine inventories with agile feline launches to optimize portfolio risk.

Birds, reptiles, and small mammals together occupy a marginal position, yet they validate insects as a natural prey source in specialty channels. Hybrid households with multiple pet species increasingly sample insect treats across animals, offering a modest cross-sell boost. Veterinary endorsements for elimination diets in both dogs and cats are increasingly spilling over into these niche categories. Even so, scale constraints and lower feeding volumes mean these segments will stay supplementary relative to the largest dog base and the fastest cat surge.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Insect Species
  • Black Soldier Fly
  • Mealworm
  • House Cricket
  • Others
• By Pet Type
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Others (Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals)
• By Form
  • Dry Kibble
  • Treats and Chews
  • Wet
  • Powdered Supplements
• By Distribution Channel
  • Pet Specialty Stores
  • Online (DTC, Marketplaces)
  • Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
  • Veterinary Clinics
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Rest of North America
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Netherlands
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Australia
    • New Zeland
    • South Korea
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rest of Africa

Geography Analysis

Europe accounted for the largest 35.0% of the insect-based pet food market share in 2025, maintaining its position as the leading regional market. The region benefits from a well-established regulatory framework, advanced insect farming capabilities, and strong consumer acceptance of sustainable pet nutrition products. Increasing awareness of environmental sustainability and circular economy principles has driven pet owners to adopt alternative protein sources for companion animals. Additionally, the presence of leading insect protein producers, extensive research and development activities, and a mature premium pet food industry continue to support market growth. Strong retail distribution networks and greater product availability across both specialty and mainstream channels further strengthen Europe’s leadership in the global insect-based pet food market.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market, with a projected CAGR of 14.8% during 2026-2031. This growth is driven by increasing pet ownership, higher spending on premium pet nutrition, and rising consumer awareness of sustainable protein alternatives. Additionally, the region is experiencing growing interest in circular economy initiatives that focus on converting food waste into high-value insect protein ingredients. Expanding pet food manufacturing capabilities, increasing investment in insect farming technologies, and the gradual commercialization of novel protein-based pet diets are further enhancing market opportunities. Consequently, the Asia-Pacific region is becoming a significant growth area for insect-based pet food producers and investors.

North America benefits from recent Association of American Feed Control Officials and United States Food and Drug Administration clearances that unlocked mainstream formulation, while Canada rebuilds capacity after earlier production setbacks. The Middle East is gaining traction among affluent pet owners who view hypoallergenic insect diets as a premium wellness upgrade, although cultural perceptions still temper mass uptake. South America remains price-sensitive, but pockets in Brazil and Argentina show steady acceptance of sustainability labeling among younger consumers. Africa’s early adopters cluster in South Africa and Kenya, leveraging e-commerce channels to bypass limited brick-and-mortar assortments. Across all regions, rising climate policy pressure and advances in farming automation are anticipated to compress costs and broaden the distribution of insect ingredients. Public-private funding in Europe and Asia is catalyzing new facilities that will feed both domestic and export markets, while North American producers co-locate with grain processors to secure affordable feedstock streams. As supply solidifies, retailers in slower-moving regions plan pilot assortments that could pivot to full rollouts once pricing narrows toward conventional meat proteins. Collectively, these geographic dynamics position the category to broaden its footprint well beyond the largest European base and the fastest Asia-Pacific growth corridor.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Yora Pet Foods Ltd.
• Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (Nestlé S.A.)
• Mars Petcare (Mars Inc.)
• EnviroFlight LLC (Darling Ingredients Inc.)
• Jiminy’s LLC
• Protix B.V.
• InnovaFeed SAS
• Enterra Feed Corporation
• Bühler Insect Technology (Bühler AG)
• Grubbly Farms Inc.
• Chippin Inc.
• Green Petfood GmbH (Erbacher Food Family)
• nextProtein SAS
• Aspire Food Group Ltd.
• Entobel Holding Pte. Ltd.

Additional Benefits:

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