The UK Pet Food Market report segments the industry into Pet Food Product (Food, Pet Nutraceuticals/Supplements, Pet Treats, Pet Veterinary Diets), Pets (Cats, Dogs, Other Pets), Distribution Channel (Convenience Stores, Online Channel, Specialty Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Other Channels). The report covers five years of historical data and a five-year market forecast.

The UK Cat Food Market is segmented by Pet Food Product (Food, Pet Nutraceuticals/Supplements, Pet Treats, Pet Veterinary Diets) and by Distribution Channel (Convenience Stores, Online Channel, Specialty Stores, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets). The market volume and value are presented in metric ton and USD respectively. The key data points include the market size of pet food by products, distribution channels, and pets.

The value of the dog food market in the United Kingdom (UK) reached around two billion British pounds in 2024, making it the most lucrative market segment. Cat food followed in second place with a market value of 1.53 billion British pounds. The pet food market in the UK The growth rate of the pet food market in the UK stood at around nine percent annually in recent years. The growth rate of the pet food market slightly edges the growth rates of other pet market segments, such as those of veterinary and retail. The value of dog and cat food imports to the UK amounts to nearly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars annually. The majority of the UK’s dog and cat food imports come from France and Germany. Moreover, the UK also exports about 370 million U.S. dollars’ worth of dog and cat food annually. In general, countries from the European Union remain the UK’s main trading partners for both imports and exports of dog and cat food.

Dog population in the UK

The number of dogs kept as pets in the UK stood at approximately 12 million. The pet dog population has increased by almost 40 percent within the last decade. Close to one-third of households in the UK own at least one dog. A noticeable jump in dog ownership rates was seen in the year 2021 when the share of household-owning dogs increased by ten percent as compared to the previous year. It is important to note that the survey changed from face-to-face from online at this time. This sudden growth in dog owners could also be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common ways to purchase a dog in the UK are through breeders and private sellers. About 20 percent of dog owners receive their pet from a rescue or rehoming center/shelter.

This statistic displays the value of the pet food market in the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2023. The market has continuously grown since 2016, reaching a new high of *** billion British pounds in 2023.

United Kingdom Pet Food Market is valued at USD 3.0 billion, driven by rising pet ownership, premium and organic products, and health awareness, with growth in e-commerce and sustainability.

The UK dog and cat food market stood at $4.1B in 2024, picking up by 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +62.2% against 2018 indices.

The United Kingdom cat food market size was valued at USD 765.91 Million in 2024. The market is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.20% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of USD 1155.73 Million by 2034.

The UK postbiotic pet food market is projected to expand steadily, reaching a market value of USD 71.5 million by 2025. Over the next decade, demand is expected to rise, pushing the industry’s worth to USD 107.7 million by 2035. This equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, driven by increasing pet owner awareness regarding gut health benefits and the rising trend of functional pet nutrition.

Attributes	Values
Estimated UK Industry Size (2025)	USD 71.5 million
Projected UK Value (2035)	USD 107.7 million
Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035)	4.2%

Semi-Annual Market Update for the UK Postbiotic Pet Food Market

Year	2024
H1 Growth Rate (%)	4.3%
H2 Growth Rate (%)	3.6%

Year	2025
H1 Growth Rate (%)	4.3%
H2 Growth Rate (%)	4.1%

Analysis of UK Postbiotic Pet Food Categories by Segments

By Pet Type	Market Share
Dogs	50%
Remaining Segments	50%

By Form Type	Market Share
Dry Food	45%
Remaining Segments	55%

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape in the UK Postbiotic Pet Food Ecosystem

Company Name	Market Share
Purina/Nestlé	22%
Mars Petcare	18%
Royal Canin	15%
Lily’s Kitchen	8%
Pets at Home	7%
Other Players	30%

United Kingdom Vegan Pet Food Market was valued at USD 31.54 Million in 2024 and is anticipated to grow USD 40.56 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 4.28%.

Pages	85
Market Size	2024: USD 31.54 Million
Forecast Market Size	2030: USD 40.56 Million
CAGR	2025-2030: 4.28%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	England
Key Players	1. Power Pet Brands Limited (Hownd) 2. Vegeco Ltd (Benevo) 3. Omni Pet Ltd 4. The Pack Pet Limited 5. V-Dog 6. Foodforplanet Gmbh & Co. Kg (Green Petfood) 7. Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd (Harringtons) 8. Lily’s Kitchen Limited 9. VeggiePets.com Ltd 10. McKinna PlantLabs (Noochy Poochy)

The UK Plant-Based Pet Food Market is poised to reach a value of USD 1,163.6 million in 2025, and further expand at a CAGR of 9.7% to reach USD 2,945.6 million by the year 2035.

Metric	Value
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 1,163.6 million
Industry Value (2035F)	USD 2,945.6 million
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	9.7%

Learn about the projected growth in the UK dog and cat food market over the next decade, with an expected increase in both volume and value terms. Market performance is predicted to continue an upward trend, reaching 1.8M tons and $4.2B by 2035 respectively.

Learn about the growing market for dog and cat food in the UK, with consumption expected to rise over the next decade. Market performance is projected to increase with a CAGR of 0.2% in volume and 1.7% in value, reaching 1.8M tons and $4.7B by 2035.

United Kingdom Pet Food Market was valued at USD 3.65 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.16 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2026 to 2032.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Pet Ownership and Humanization Trend: Rising pet ownership in the UK, with 17.4 million households (62%) owning pets, is driving up demand for premium pet food. This growth, particularly in dog (29%) and cat (24%) ownership, can be attributed to the humanization tendency, in which pets are viewed as family.

Increased Focus on Pet Health and Nutrition: A rising focus on pet health and nutrition is propelling market growth in the United Kingdom, with 68% of pet owners now more likely to invest in specialty diets, according to a 2022 Royal Veterinary College survey. This trend is being driven by greater awareness of the link between nutrition and pet health, driving owners to seek out personalized feeding solutions for weight control, breed-specific requirements, and age-related concerns.

Learn about the projected growth of the dog and cat food market in the UK and how it is expected to increase in both volume and value over the next decade.

Learn about the rising demand for dog and cat food in the UK and the projected growth of the market over the next decade, with an expected increase in both volume and value terms.

This statistic displays the year-on-year percentage change in market value of dry cat food in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2018. The value of the dry cat food market grew by *** percent in 2018.

Learn about the increasing demand for dog and cat food in the UK and how the market is expected to grow over the next decade with a projected increase in volume and value terms.

The Prepared Pet Food Manufacturing industry in the UK is closely linked to the nation's pet population. Post-COVID, there has been a significant boom in pet ownership, particularly among dogs, driving up industry revenue. The market has expanded, primarily fuelled by premiumisation trends as demand increases for high-quality, natural ingredient-based products. A cultural shift towards pet parenting, where pets are viewed as family members, has amplified demand for premium pet foods, as consumers prioritise nutritious diets marketed with organic and healthy ingredients. This shift has empowered producers to manage rising costs by allowing them to charge more for pet food, enhancing sales and boosting industry revenue. Prepared Pet Food Manufacturing revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.9% to £3.2 billion over the five years through 2025-26, with revenue expected to climb by 1.1% in the current year. Soaring purchase and labour costs are pushing up operational costs for producers, compelling them to implement price hikes to protect profitability. In response, producers are prioritising investments in operational efficiency, including automation, to enhance productivity and reduce reliance on costly labour. The rising pet population is also driving manufacturers to expand their operational capacity. This aims to capitalise on the growing demand and curb the rising share of imported pet food, which is capturing more of the domestic market and constraining industry revenue potential. Manufacturers are also investing in upgrading sustainability credentials, including innovations in packaging and lab-grown meat, to boost appeal to eco-conscious pet owners. Profit is expected to nudge upwards in 2025-26, reaching 7.5% of revenue, reflecting producers' ability to pass on rising input costs. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3.7% to £3.8 billion over the five years through 2030-31. Producers will continue capitalising on the burgeoning demand for premium pet food by offering healthier, more sustainable options. This trend is likely to boost e-commerce sales, including subscription services offering greater customisation and enhancing the premium pet food market. There will likely be a heightened focus on functional treats, which traditionally have been less healthy. Businesses will continue to invest in operational efficiency and expand capacity to curb the rising share of imported pet food and better meet domestic demand. Alongside these efforts, a stronger focus on sustainability will help differentiate domestic producers and protect the industry's long-term viability.

Online Pet Food and Pet Supply Retailing industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 1% over the five years through 2024-25. Pet numbers spiked during the peak-pandemic periods as people spent more time at home and wanted companionship. Pet humanisation and premiumisation are rising, translating into higher-value baskets. A growing number of pet owners treat fur babies as part of the family, deserving the very best on offer from clothing, grooming, premium food, treats and toys. Britons want our animals to look and feel good, investing more in special diets and indulgent products that promise a better quality of life. The rising insurance cost means owners invest heavily in their furry families' daily wellness. Despite the positive outlook, retailers continue to face numerous challenges in the form of intense competition from supermarkets and generalist retail giants like Amazon, which have entered the pet market. During the cost-of-living crisis, many pet owners cut back on spending on their beloved pets, with some even reconsidering ownership altogether. However, as inflationary pressures ease in 2024-25, pet owners began feeling more confident and willing to spend more on their pets. This shift is set to drive increased sales for online pet food retailers. In 2024-25, revenue is anticipated to hike by 3.6% to £971.4 million and the average profit is expected to reach 5.8%. Over the five years through 2029-30, the online pet foods and supplies industry's revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.5% to £1.3 billion. As the levels of pet ownership increase within the UK, the number of e-retailers selling pet foods and supplies will grow. Part of the growth in pet numbers is because Millennials and Gen Z are delaying having children and are instead turning to pets for companionship.

The UK wet pet food segment is expected to reach USD 1.59 billion by 2030, driven by pet humanization trends and the increasing popularity of natural ingredients.