US - Fresh Pet Food Market by Distribution Channel, Product, and Type - Forecast and Analysis 2024-2028

US Fresh Pet Food Market Size 2024-2028

The US fresh pet food market size is projected to increase by USD 1.23 billion, at a CAGR of 29.91% between 2023 and 2028. Online retailers serve as a thriving distribution avenue for fresh pet foods in the US, contributing to the market's impressive growth rate. The online availability of fresh pet foods presents numerous benefits to consumers, including convenience, an extensive product variety, enhanced control over purchases, seamless price comparison, time efficiency, and informed decision-making based on customer reviews. Many market players, with a focus on global markets, provide their pet food offerings, including dog food, through their dedicated online portals, emphasizing added consumer benefits. This cost-effective approach within online distribution channels is anticipated to propel market growth, aligning with global trends and consumption forecasts during the forecast period.

Market: Overview

The market shows an Accelerated CAGR during the forecast period.

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Market Dynamics

The market in the US is experiencing a surge in popularity as pet owners increasingly prioritize natural ingredients over artificial preservatives, additives, and fillers. This shift towards human-grade foods, lean cuts of meat, poultry, vegetables, and fruits reflects a growing preference for pet diets that mimic whole food sources. Reliable providers in the pet food business emphasize nutritional content and avoid byproducts, offering options that cater to canine dietary needs. Fresh pet food formulations often include fish, rice, and grains, carefully balanced to provide essential nutrients without compromising on taste or quality. With a focus on freshness and maintaining optimal temperature during production and distribution, the market continues to expand, driven by consumer demand for healthier and more natural choices for their pets.

Key Market Driver 

New product launches by companies is the key factor driving market growth. The market players are trying to attract more consumers by introducing new variants of fresh pet foods. New product launches help vendors enhance the sales of their products and increase their market share. For instance, in March 2022, Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., in partnership with JustFoodForDogs LLC, announced to launch new fresh and frozen food line for dogs.

Similarly, in November 2021, Tiki Pets, a brand of Whitebridge Pet Brands LLC, announced the launch of its new line of hydrating toppers for dry cat food called Tiki Cat Complements. This wet cat food supplement with a high protein content is created with chicken broth and may be given to cats as a treat or an additional source of fluid in their diet. Hence, the introduction of new products helps in increasing the sales of fresh pet foods, which will boost the growth of the market during the market growth and trends period.

Significant Market Trends 

Increasing focus on promoting fresh pet foods in the US is the primary trend shaping market growth. Pet food products with fresh ingredients and a limited amount of processing are gaining popularity among pet owners. Therefore, aligning with market trends and analysis to increase sales, fresh pet food retailers and fresh pet food market players are trying to develop new strategies. They are also trying to provide added benefits to customers through cost-saving options. For instance, in August 2022, NomNomNow Inc. announced its new discount plan for fresh pet foods. The company offers a 50% discount for new subscribers.

Moreover, customers need to make a profile for their pet, provide information about the weight of their pet, and select from the list of recipes, including options for frozen and freeze-dried pet food. They can have the tailored meal plan delivered to their door twice a week. The pricing of these fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried pet foods depends on the size of the pet. Also, customers can avail of discount coupons through online retail stores, applicable to frozen and freeze-dried pet food among other products. Thus, such factors will fuel the sales of fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried pet foods, which, in turn, will boost the growth of the market during the market forecast period.

Major Market Challenge 

Lower shelf life compared with processed pet foods is a challenge that affects market growth. Fresh pet foods undergo fewer processing activities than processed pet foods, making their storage life much lower compared with processed pet foods. The level of convenience offered by processed pet foods is higher compared with that of fresh processed foods. Some of the common methods of processing pet foods are chemical processing, drying, canning, and fermentation. Processed pet foods are also available in ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat forms. This helps pet owners minimize the time of preparation of pet foods.

Additionally, many market players in processed pet foods are focusing on expanding their product lines by launching new products. Such offerings by market players in the processed pet food segment are expected to increase their demand. Pet owners who depend on fresh pet products need to make frequent purchases as the shelf life of fresh food items is comparatively less. Therefore, the lower shelf life of fresh pet foods in comparison to processed pet foods is expected to impede market growth during the market research and growth period.

Market Segmentation

By Product 

Due to the rising adoption of pets in the US, there is a growing adoption of the dog food segment, including wet pet food, which is significantly driving the US fresh pet food market. Factors such as dogs are known to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression; ease loneliness; improve cardiovascular health; and encourage exercise are making it the preferred pet variant across the US. Additionally, parents across the country prefer dogs as pets to make their children responsible and enable them to learn to share and care. Some of the main pet dog breeds in the US are Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog, and Beagle. Another significant reason is the increasing number of recalls of processed dog food products leading to the rising dog adoption in the country. Thus, such factors, including the popularity of wet pet food, are expected to drive market growth during the market growth analysis period.

By Distribution Channel

The market share growth by the offline segment will be significant during the forecast period. The offline segment mainly comprises supermarkets and hypermarkets; pet specialty stores, pet clubs, vet clinics; and convenience stores. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the key distribution channels in the offline segments with the highest number of sales of pet food products. Some of the popular companies include Target Corp. (Target), Walmart, Meijer Inc. (Meijer), Whole Foods Market Inc. (Whole Foods Market), and The Kroger Co. (Kroger). 

The offline segment was valued at USD 143.85 million in 2018.

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Additionally, one of the major factors for the high market share of supermarkets and hypermarkets is that they offer a wide collection of fresh pet foods from different brands and provide pet owners with a convenient option to select the required fresh pet food from various brands. Hence such factors are expected to drive the growth of the offline segment which in turn will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Company Overview

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market forecasting growth and analysis.

• Key Offering-  Artemis Pet Food Co: The company offers pet food that helps to ensure all pets have the chance to access precisely balanced nutrition which keeps them healthy and fit.
• Key Offering- Carnivore Meat Co. LLC: The company offers pet food, such as Turkey dog food, rabbit cat food, and chicken dog food, that comprises positive nutrients, like whole grain, fiber, and iron, and reducing limiters, like sodium and sugar.

The  market growth and forecasting report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 20 market companies, including:

A Pup Above, Cooking4Canines, Darwins Natural Pet Products, Freshpet Inc., JustFoodForDogs LLC, My Perfect Pet Food Inc., Nestle SA, NomNomNow Inc., Ollie, Pauls Custom Pet Food LLC, Pet Plate, Pet Honesty, Primal Pet Foods Inc., Raised Right Pets LP, Spot and Tango, The Farmers Dog Inc., The Honest Kitchen, and Rabbit Hole Hay Inc.

The market analysis and report of qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Segment Overview

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Billion" for the period 2024 to 2028, as well as historical data from 2018 to 2022 for the following segments.

• Distribution Channel Outlook
  • Offline
  • Online

• Product Outlook
  • Dog food
  • Cat food
  • Others

• Type Outlook
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Vegetable
  • Others

You may also be interested in:

• Wet Pet Food Market - Wet Pet Food Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, Japan, UK, Germany - Size and Forecast 
• Frozen and Freeze Dried Pet Food Market - Frozen and Freeze Dried Pet Food Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, India, UK, France - Size and Forecast 
• Pet Treats Market - Pet Treats Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, Germany, France, UK - Size and Forecast

Market Analyst Overview

The market in the US is evolving with a focus on quality and health as discerning pet owners increasingly opt for fresh, natural alternatives over conventional pet foods containing artificial additives, fillers, and byproducts. Established suppliers are responding with frozen or refrigerated meals that meet nutritional requirements and cater to specific dietary needs such as grain-free, hypoallergenic, and organic choices. Pet food producers are prioritizing high-quality ingredients like lean meats, fish, vegetables, and fruits, ensuring label accuracy and meeting regulatory standards. This shift towards human-grade foods and minimally processed ingredients extends to tailored nutrition plans, personalized meal options, and subscription services offered through e-commerce platforms and online pet food retailers. As pet ownership grows, so does the demand for premium pet food that supports overall pet health and wellness.

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What are the Key Data Covered in this US Fresh Pet Food Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the market between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market industry across US
• A thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market companies

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