A Year of Innovation in Pet Food 2026
"Brands are expanding high-protein claims and novel ingredients while meeting demand for functionality, sustainability and shared seasonal experiences."
Anis Pauzi, Associate Analyst (Innovation)
Explore the latest innovation in pet food with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across regions EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Key innovation trends in the pet food category are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.
This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global pet food market. Understanding innovation in pet food has never been so easy.
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- What we've seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- The Future of Pet Food: 2026
- Global spotlight: Middle East and Africa leads in vitamin- and mineral-fortified pet foods
- Graph 1: pet food launches with vitamin/mineral-fortified claims, by region, 2025-26
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: brands drive high-protein innovation
- Pet owners show curiosity amid caution towards novel proteins
- High-protein claims continue to grow in pet food launches
- High-protein launches adopt alternative protein sources
- Europe: seasonal innovation expands in pet food
- Consumers include their pets in seasonal celebrations
- Pet food brands step up seasonal innovation
- Graph 2: pet food launches with a seasonal claim, 2021-26
- Celebrate the seasons with your pets
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Taurine as a hero ingredient in cat foods
- When humanisation meets dog treats
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: brands blend traditional ingredients into pet foods
- Consumers embrace traditional ingredients in pet food
- TCM ingredients emerge in Asian pet food
- Graph 3: pet food launches with TCM food ingredients, 2021-26
- TCM ingredients featured in pet food launches
- Brand renovation/innovation: Fucoit launches premium fucoidan-infused dog treats
- Asia: rising digestive claims in pet treats
- Gut health drives pet food choices
- Digestive claims gain share in pet treats
- Graph 4: pet snack and treat launches with a pet digestion claim, 2021-26
- Pet treats highlight ingredients for digestion
- Australia & New Zealand
- Human-inspired formats elevate treat occasions
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: launches highlight additive- and preservative-free claims
- Consumers shift towards minimally processed pet food
- Additive- and preservative-free claims increase in recent launches
- Graph 5: pet food launches, by select free-from claims, 2021-26
- Innovative processing drives cleaner pet food solutions
- North America: brands showcase eco-friendly practices
- Pet owners set sustainability as the new standard
- Sustainable habitat and resource claims on the rise
- Graph 6: pet food launches with sustainable habitat/resource claim, 2021-26
- Brands engage in sustainable practices
- Latin America: brands prioritise digestive function
- Brands shift functional focus in pet food
- Graph 7: pet food launches, by select functional pet claims, 2021-26
- Digestive benefits drive product innovation
What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?
To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.
How We Analyse a Year of Innovation
By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.
A Deep Dive into Product Launches
The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.
Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)
Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.
Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts
Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.
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