Hydration is having a moment in the wellness space, supported by rising global temperatures. With almost half of owners noting that it's hard to ensure…
UK
Pet Food
simple
UK Pet Food Market Report 2025
"With pet owners starting to trade up again in cat/dog food, there are strong added value opportunities around longevity, nutrient-retaining processes and hydration."
Emma Clifford, Associate Director – Food and Drink
Rising global temperatures and the challenge of keeping pets well-hydrated present significant opportunities in the pet care market. Pet drinks and hydration-focused products, such as broths, yogurts, and iced treats, can inject innovation and meet this growing wellness demand.
The trend toward homemade pet food, driven by concerns over ultra-processed foods (UPFs), is creating competition for the core pet food market. However, brands can counter this by highlighting the nutritional benefits of processed ingredients and promoting nutrient-preserving processes as a value-added feature.
Nutrient-preserving processes offer a compelling opportunity for brands to shift the narrative around pet food processing. By emphasising the health benefits and added value of these methods, brands can address consumer concerns and build trust.
The growing interest in pet longevity creates opportunities for brands to emphasise the role of diet in healthy ageing. Ingredients like plants and fish, known for their healthy ageing benefits, can support demand for products tailored to senior pets, a segment that remains under-catered.
With pets living longer, the market for senior pet care is ripe for expansion. Brands can capitalise on this by developing products specifically designed for ageing pets, addressing their unique dietary and wellness needs, and tapping into the rich potential of this underserved segment.
Key Topics Analysed in the Report:
The impact of the income squeeze on the market and the outlook for the next five years
Trends in launch activity in cat and dog food, and opportunities for further innovation.
Pet feeding behaviour, including making pet food from scratch, and purchasing of pet food.
Behaviours relating to pet food, including concerns about hydration for pets, and interest in helping pets live longer through diet.
Attitudes towards pet food, including towards the relative importance of pet food being nutritious or highly processed.
Report Attributes
Details
Published Date
August 2025
Market Data Range
2109-2030
Measurement Metrics
Revenue in £
Consumer Data
2,000 internet users aged 16+, May 2025
Number of Pages
104
Market Segmentation
Dog meals, Cat meals, Dog snacks/treats, Cat snacks/treats
Mars Petcare advertising focuses on cats’ satisfaction…
…with Whiskas transporting cats to ‘Purradise’
Influencer activity in the pet food market
Carnilove taps into dogs’ wild side
Carnilove’s ‘Instinct Calls for Meat’ campaign
Brands tackle pet obesity and promote the importance of joint care
YuMove’s ‘Harder to Catch’ campaign
UK Pet Food solidifies its role as a trusted source in pet nutrition
APPENDIX
Market share
Leading brands’ value sales and shares in the dog meals market
Leading brands’ volume sales and shares in the dog meals market
Leading manufacturers’ value sales and shares in the dog meals market
Leading manufacturers’ volume sales and shares in the dog meals market
Leading brands’ value sales and shares in the dog snacks and treats market
Leading brands’ volume sales and shares in the dog snacks and treats market
Leading manufacturers’ value sales and shares in the dog snacks and treats market
Leading manufacturers’ volume sales and shares in the dog snacks and treats market
Leading brands’ value sales and shares in the cat meals market
Leading brands’ volume sales and shares in the cat meals market
Leading manufacturers’ value sales and shares in the cat meals market
Leading manufacturers’ volume sales and shares in the cat meals market
Leading brands’ value sales and shares in the cat snacks and treats market
Leading brands’ volume sales and shares in the cat snacks and treats market
Leading manufacturers’ value sales and shares in the cat snacks and treats market
Leading manufacturers’ volume sales and shares in the cat snacks and treats market
Advertising and marketing activity
ATL, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on pet food, by leading advertisers, 2021-25
ATL, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on pet food, by media type
Market segmentation
Market forecast data and methodology
Market forecast
Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
Market forecast and prediction intervals (volume)
Forecast methodology
Report scope and definitions
Market definition
Abbreviations and terms
Consumer research methodology
Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
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With pet owners starting to trade up again in cat/dog food, there are strong added value opportunities around longevity, nutrient-retaining processes and hydration. Emma Clifford, Associate Director -...
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Market Definitions
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