The pet treats market is expected to grow from USD 38.40 billion in 2026 to USD 58.71 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 8.9%. The market for pet treats is expanding as pet owners are spending more on pet treats, driven by factors such as the humanization of pets, rising pet ownership, and a growing demand for higher-quality products that improve the health, happiness, and well-being of pets. As pets increasingly become part of the family for pet owners, they are being more cautious about the brands they purchase, driving demand for high-end treats with functional benefits, natural ingredients, and transparent labels.
Growing awareness of pet
preventive healthcare and diet is also prompting consumers to incorporate
treats into their pets’ day-to-day lives, helping meet their pets' health
needs. The pet treats market has moved far beyond the traditional reward-based
products. It has responded to consumers' demand for treats formulated to
promote different elements of pet health and well-being. Consumers are now
looking for treats that can aid digestion, promote skin and coat appearance,
maintain dental health, boost the immune system, provide a calming effect and
improve vitality. Manufacturers are also continuously adapting to changing
requirements and investing in product innovation across multiple categories,
including jerky treats, freeze-dried treats, dental chews, soft and chewy
treats, natural chews, and functional wellness treats. There is a growing focus
on incorporating ingredients that support digestive, immune, and skin &
coat health, along with dental hygiene and stress management for pets. The use
of advanced processing technologies, such as freeze-drying, air-drying, and
cold processing, is enabling manufacturers to preserve nutritional value while
meeting consumers' demand for premium products.
Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=117805385
By product type, the jerky
& meat-based treats segment is expected to account for the largest share of
the pet treats market.
The market share of jerky
& meat-based treats is expected to be the largest in the pet treats market
during the forecast period. The dominance of this segment is primarily due to
an increase in consumers’ preference for high-protein, natural, and minimally
processed pet treats that closely align with and support pets’ biological
dietary needs. Pet owners are now beginning to see meat-based treats as a
healthier alternative to other treat formats, based on better taste, higher
protein content, and simplified ingredient lists. The rise in premium pet
nutrition and clean-label trends is also expected to further promote usage for
both dogs and cats.
By manufacturing process,
the freeze-dried segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the
forecast period.
The freeze-dried segment is
expected to be the fastest-growing manufacturing process, driven by rising
consumer demand for minimally processed, natural, healthy, and premium pet
treats. Freeze-dried treats preserve nutritional value and retain the taste,
aroma, and texture of ingredients, along with a longer shelf life. They retain
key nutrients without the need for artificial preservatives. Manufacturers are
further expanding their single-ingredient treat range, raw-inspired recipes,
functional products, and innovative protein offerings. The segment will benefit
from the growing consumer popularity of raw feeding and biologically
appropriate diets. As availability continues to increase across pet specialty
retailers and online, and as consumer awareness of the nutritional advantages
of freeze-dried products grows, this will help drive robust growth in this
area. Investment in both freeze-drying capacity and manufacturing technology
will also contribute to segment expansion.
By distribution channel, the
e-commerce segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast
period.
The E-commerce category is
anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the
growing adoption of digital means by consumers, the convenience purchasing
habits of consumers, and the increased availability of pet care products
online. Pet owners are increasingly turning to online channels to access a
wider variety of pet treats, to compare products, and to check if the
ingredient claims stack up, all while taking advantage of subscription services
and recurring delivery schemes. Increased smartphone penetration, integrated
digital payment systems, and direct-to-consumer business models are driving
robust growth in online pet treat sales in developed and emerging markets.
Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=117805385
By pet type, the dogs
segment is expected to account for the largest share of the pet treats market.
The dog segment is projected
to hold the largest market share in 2031, owing to its much larger population,
implying greater use of treats and a more extensive range of products compared
with other companion animals. Dog owners frequently use treats for a variety of
reasons, including training, behavior reinforcement, enrichment, functional
use, and dental benefits, and therefore require a much larger and more
consistent use of treats than other companion animals. Additionally, the dog
treats segment is witnessing growth in the humanization of pets and rising
expenditure on premium dog nutrition, prompting consumers to buy higher-value
treats with health and wellness benefits. Companies are continually expanding
their ranges of innovative products designed for specific ages and life stages,
breeds and sizes of dogs, tastes, and health concerns. The ever-increasing
trends in the popularity of treats made with natural and limited ingredients,
freeze-dried products, and functional treats will be a positive factor
supporting continued growth in the dog treats segment and maintaining its
dominant position during the forecast period.
By function, the immune
support segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast
period.
The immune support segment
is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period,
driven by growing consumer focus on preventive pet healthcare and overall
wellness. Consumers increasingly prefer to support long-term health through higher-quality
nutrition, which has increased demand for treats containing immune-boosting
prebiotics and probiotics, as well as other herbs, vitamins, antioxidants, and
minerals. Greater consumer knowledge of nutrition and immunology is also
encouraging the uptake of immune-promoting health treats. Manufacturers are
increasingly developing multifunctional treats that combine immune support with
additional benefits such as digestive health, skin and coat support, and
overall vitality, while maintaining the palatability of pet treats. The growing
influence of veterinary recommendations, the increasing prevalence of
age-related health concerns, and rising demand for functional nutrition
products are encouraging manufacturers to research and invest in this category.
Furthermore, the expansion of premium and wellness-focused pet care trends
globally is expected to drive continued investment in immune-supporting
formulations, making this one of the most attractive growth opportunities
within the pet treats market.
Make an Inquiry: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=117805385
By ingredient source, the
animal-based segment is expected to account for the largest share of the pet
treats market.
Animal-based Treats are
expected to account for the largest share of the total pet treats market in
2026, owing to their high protein content, superior palatability, and strong
alignment with the natural dietary preferences of companion animals. High-quality
nutrition and culturally popular choices among pet owners have supported the
use of animal-based ingredients such as chicken, beef, turkey, duck, lamb,
fish, and organ meats in the formulation of a majority of dog and cat treats
around the world. The evolution of biologically appropriate feeding practices
and rising consumer proclivity for protein-dense, unprocessed foods have also
supported the increase in demand for animal-based treats in both the canine and
feline categories.
By region, the Asia Pacific
is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
The Asia Pacific region is
projected to be the fastest-growing pet treats market, supported by rising
purchasing power, expanding economies, urbanization, and growing awareness of
pet health and nutrition. Countries such as China, Japan, Australia, South
Korea, and India are seeing rapid increases in the adoption of companion
animals, which is driving higher spending on premium-quality products such as
pet treats. Rising global demand for premium, natural, and functional products,
including dental chews, freeze-dried treats, jerky treats, and wellness-focused
products, is further fueling growth in the pet treats market across the Asia
Pacific region. Moreover, greater penetration of the organized retail sector,
specialized pet retail outlets, and online retailing is expanding product
accessibility and boosting demand.
Top Companies in the Pet
Treats Market
The key companies operating
in the pet treats market include Nestlé Purina PetCare (Switzerland), Mars,
Incorporated and its Affiliates (US), General Mills Inc. (US), The J.M. Smucker
Company (US), Colgate-Palmolive (US), Wellness Pet Company LLC (US), Spectrum
Brands (US), Simmons Pet Food (US), Freshpet (Netherlands), Stella &
Chewy's (US), Virbac (France), Fromm Family Foods, LLC (US), Vital Essentials
(US), PureBites (US), and Central Garden & Pet (US).


