Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2034
Description
The Global Pet Therapeutic Diet Market was valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% to reach USD 8.7 billion by 2034.
Growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions in companion animals, the rising humanization of pets, and advancements in veterinary nutrition. Therapeutic diets are now a cornerstone of preventive and long-term care, offering condition-specific nutrition for obesity, renal health, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin conditions. The trend toward premiumization and clean-label formulations has also elevated consumer preference for science-backed, veterinarian-recommended diets, especially as aging pet populations and urban lifestyles amplify demand for specialized nutrition.
The market is primarily segmented by product type, with the dry food segment leading in 2024, generating USD 2.9 billion and holding 58.6% of the market share. Dry therapeutic diets remain the most widely adopted due to their convenience, extended shelf life, and cost efficiency. They are particularly effective in long-term disease management, offering precise portion control and ease of integration into daily feeding routines. Innovation in microbiome-friendly ingredients, life-stage-specific formulations, and sustainable sourcing is enhancing the appeal of dry food. Wet food, though smaller in share, continues to grow in demand for pets with renal and gastrointestinal conditions, while freeze-dried diets and therapeutic treats are emerging as niche categories that improve compliance and palatability.
By animal type, the dogs segment dominated the market with USD 1.2 billion in 2024. Rising canine obesity rates, dietary sensitivities, and the expanding global dog population have fueled demand for condition-specific nutrition. Veterinary spending on dogs remains higher than on other companion animals, making therapeutic diets central to preventive and chronic care management.
In terms of health conditions, the gastrointestinal health segment led the market in 2024 with USD 908.8 million. Digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and chronic diarrhea are increasingly common in aging pets, underscoring the importance of easily digestible, microbiome-supportive diets.
North America Pet Therapeutic Diet Market generated USD 2.02 billion in 2024, reflecting strong pet ownership rates and a mature veterinary infrastructure. The U.S. remains the largest market, with over 66% of households owning pets and pet food expenditure surpassing USD 65.8 billion in 2024, of which therapeutic diets accounted for a growing share. Canada also presents significant growth opportunities, supported by rising feline ownership and increasing awareness of chronic pet health conditions.
Key players shaping the competitive landscape include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin (Mars Petcare), Purina PetCare (Nestlé SA), Blue Buffalo (General Mills), Virbac, Stella & Chewy’s, Ziwi Pets, and Open Farm. These companies are expanding their product portfolios with condition-specific innovations, investing in microbiome science, and strengthening global supply chains. Strategic collaborations with veterinarians, e-commerce platforms, and telehealth providers are enabling stronger consumer engagement and accessibility. With growing demand for personalized, science-driven, and sustainable pet nutrition, leading players are well-positioned to capture opportunities in this fast-expanding market.
Growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions in companion animals, the rising humanization of pets, and advancements in veterinary nutrition. Therapeutic diets are now a cornerstone of preventive and long-term care, offering condition-specific nutrition for obesity, renal health, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin conditions. The trend toward premiumization and clean-label formulations has also elevated consumer preference for science-backed, veterinarian-recommended diets, especially as aging pet populations and urban lifestyles amplify demand for specialized nutrition.
The market is primarily segmented by product type, with the dry food segment leading in 2024, generating USD 2.9 billion and holding 58.6% of the market share. Dry therapeutic diets remain the most widely adopted due to their convenience, extended shelf life, and cost efficiency. They are particularly effective in long-term disease management, offering precise portion control and ease of integration into daily feeding routines. Innovation in microbiome-friendly ingredients, life-stage-specific formulations, and sustainable sourcing is enhancing the appeal of dry food. Wet food, though smaller in share, continues to grow in demand for pets with renal and gastrointestinal conditions, while freeze-dried diets and therapeutic treats are emerging as niche categories that improve compliance and palatability.
By animal type, the dogs segment dominated the market with USD 1.2 billion in 2024. Rising canine obesity rates, dietary sensitivities, and the expanding global dog population have fueled demand for condition-specific nutrition. Veterinary spending on dogs remains higher than on other companion animals, making therapeutic diets central to preventive and chronic care management.
In terms of health conditions, the gastrointestinal health segment led the market in 2024 with USD 908.8 million. Digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and chronic diarrhea are increasingly common in aging pets, underscoring the importance of easily digestible, microbiome-supportive diets.
North America Pet Therapeutic Diet Market generated USD 2.02 billion in 2024, reflecting strong pet ownership rates and a mature veterinary infrastructure. The U.S. remains the largest market, with over 66% of households owning pets and pet food expenditure surpassing USD 65.8 billion in 2024, of which therapeutic diets accounted for a growing share. Canada also presents significant growth opportunities, supported by rising feline ownership and increasing awareness of chronic pet health conditions.
Key players shaping the competitive landscape include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin (Mars Petcare), Purina PetCare (Nestlé SA), Blue Buffalo (General Mills), Virbac, Stella & Chewy’s, Ziwi Pets, and Open Farm. These companies are expanding their product portfolios with condition-specific innovations, investing in microbiome science, and strengthening global supply chains. Strategic collaborations with veterinarians, e-commerce platforms, and telehealth providers are enabling stronger consumer engagement and accessibility. With growing demand for personalized, science-driven, and sustainable pet nutrition, leading players are well-positioned to capture opportunities in this fast-expanding market.
Table of Contents
137 Pages
- Chapter 1 Methodology
- 1.1 Industry coverage
- 1.2 Market scope and definitions
- 1.3 Research design
- 1.4 Market size estimates and calculations
- 1.4.1 Approach 1: Company revenue share analysis
- 1.4.2 Approach 2: Data mining approach
- 1.4.3 Approach 3: Parent market analysis
- 1.5 Key trends for market estimates
- 1.6 Forecast model
- 1.7 Primary research & validation
- 1.7.1 Primary sources
- 1.7.2 Data mining sources
- 1.7.2.1 Paid sources 23
- 1.7.2.2 Public sources
- Chapter 2 Executive Summary
- 2.1 Industry 360 degree synopsis
- 2.2 Business trends
- 2.2.1 Regional trends
- 2.2.2 Product type trends
- 2.2.3 Animal type trends
- 2.2.4 Health condition trends
- 2.2.5 Distribution channel trends
- 2.3 CXO Perspectives: Strategic Imperatives
- 2.3.1 Key decision points for industry executives
- 2.3.2 Critical success factors for market players
- 2.4 Future outlook and strategic recommendations
- Chapter 3 Industry Insights
- 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis
- 3.2 Industry impact forces
- 3.2.1 Growth drivers
- 3.2.1.1 Growing aging pet population
- 3.2.1.2 Rising pet ownership and pet humanization
- 3.2.1.3 Growing prevalence of chronic diseases in companion animals
- 3.2.2 Industry pitfalls and challenges
- 3.2.2.1 Regulatory challenges and reliability concerns
- 3.2.2.2 Limited awareness and education
- 3.2.3 Market opportunities
- 3.2.3.1 Rising pet ownership and urbanization in developing regions
- 3.2.3.2 Growing demand for clean-label, organic and plant-based therapeutic diets 44
- 3.3 Growth potential analysis
- 3.3.1 By product type
- 3.3.2 By animal type
- 3.3.3 By health condition
- 3.3.4 By distribution channel
- 3.4 Regulatory landscape
- 3.4.1 North America
- 3.4.1.1 U.S. 49
- 3.4.1.2 Canada 50
- 3.4.2 Europe
- 3.4.3 Asia Pacific
- 3.4.3.1 China 53
- 3.4.3.2 Japan 53
- 3.5 Technology and innovation landscape
- 3.6 Future market trends
- 3.7 Pricing analysis
- 3.8 Porter's analysis
- 3.9 PESTEL analysis
- Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.1.1 Purina PetCare (Nestle SA)
- 4.1.2 Mars Incorporated
- 4.1.3 Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
- 4.2 Company market share analysis
- 4.3 Company matrix analysis
- 4.4 Competitive analysis of major market players
- 4.5 Competitive positioning matrix
- 4.6 Key developments
- Chapter 5 Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, By Product Type
- 5.1 Dry food
- 5.2 Wet/ canned food
- 5.3 Other product types
- Chapter 6 Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, By Animal Type
- 6.1 Dogs 69
- 6.2 Cats 70
- 6.3 Other animals
- Chapter 7 Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, By Health Condition
- 7.1 Renal health
- 7.2 Gastrointestinal health
- 7.3 Skin and coat health
- 7.4 Cardiovascular health
- 7.5 Weight management
- 7.6 Joint care
- 7.7 Other health conditions
- Chapter 8 Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, By Distribution Channel
- 8.1 Veterinary hospitals and clinics
- 8.2 E-commerce
- 8.3 Retail pharmacies
- 8.4 Others distribution channels
- Chapter 9 Pet Therapeutic Diet Market, By Region
- 9.1 North America
- 9.2 Europe
- 9.3 Asia Pacific
- 9.4 Latin America
- 9.5 Middle East and Africa
- Chapter 10 Company Profile
- 10.1 Blue Buffalo Company (General Mills)
- 10.1.1 Financial data
- 10.1.1.1 Sales revenue, 2021-2024 (USD Million)
- 10.1.2 Product landscape
- 10.1.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.1.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.2 Diamond Pet Foods (Schell & Kampeter, Inc.)
- 10.2.1 Financial data
- 10.2.2 Product landscape
- 10.2.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.2.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.3 Drools Pet Food
- 10.3.1 Financial data
- 10.3.2 Product landscape
- 10.3.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.3.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.4 Eden Holistic Pet Foods
- 10.4.1 Financial data
- 10.4.2 Product landscape
- 10.4.3 SWOT analysis
- 10.5 EmerAid
- 10.5.1 Financial data
- 10.5.2 Product landscape
- 10.5.3 SWOT analysis
- 10.6 Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate Palmolive)
- 10.6.1 Financial data
- 10.6.1.1 Sales revenue, 2021-2024 (USD Million)
- 10.6.2 Product landscape
- 10.6.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.6.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.7 Husse
- 10.7.1 Financial data
- 10.7.2 Product landscape
- 10.7.3 SWOT analysis
- 10.8 JustFoodForDogs
- 10.8.1 Financial data
- 10.8.2 Product landscape
- 10.8.3 SWOT analysis
- 10.9 Mars, Incorporated
- 10.9.1 Financial data
- 10.9.2 Product landscape
- 10.9.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.9.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.10 Open Farm
- 10.10.1 Financial data
- 10.10.2 Product landscape
- 10.10.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.10.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.11 Purina PetCare (Nestle SA)
- 10.11.1 Financial data
- 10.11.1.1 Sales revenue, 2021-2024 (USD Million)
- 10.11.2 Product landscape
- 10.11.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.11.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.12 Stella and Chewy's
- 10.12.1 Financial data
- 10.12.2 Product landscape
- 10.12.3 SWOT analysis
- 10.13 Virbac 128
- 10.13.1 Financial data
- 10.13.1.1 Sales revenue, 2021-2024 (USD Million)
- 10.13.2 Product landscape
- 10.13.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.13.4 SWOT analysis
- 10.14 VNG 132
- 10.14.1 Product landscape
- 10.14.2 SWOT analysis
- 10.15 Ziwi Pets
- 10.15.1 Financial data
- 10.15.2 Product landscape
- 10.15.3 Strategic outlook
- 10.15.4 SWOT analysis
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