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Dairy Based Pet Food Market

Dairy Based Pet Food Market

The market for Dairy Based Pet Food was estimated at $3.2 billion in 2024; it is anticipated to increase to $4.6 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $6.2 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1903016
Author:Debadatta Patel - Senior Consultant
Published Date:November 2025
Datatree
Food & Beverage
Animal Feeds
Dairy Based Pet Food
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Report Summary
Table of Contents
Methodology
Market Data

Global Dairy Based Pet Food Market Outlook

Revenue, 2024

$3.2B

Forecast, 2034

$5.8B

CAGR, 2024 - 2034

6.1%
The Dairy Based Pet Food industry revenue is expected to be around $3.4 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 6.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. The increasing importance of Dairy Based Pet Food in the market can be credited to various crucial factors driving it forward. Firstly the rising consciousness regarding well being and nutrition has sparked a rise in the need for top notch nutrient packed pet food. Dairy derived pet food containing proteins, vitamins and minerals has become a favored option, among pet caregivers. Moreover the growing inclination towards treating pets as part of the family has led to a rise in the desire for quality pet food items. The continual significance of Dairy Based Pet Food in the market showcases its potential, for future development and advancement.

Specialized pet food that contains dairy products or their derivatives is known as Dairy Based Pet Food. Is tailored to meet the unique dietary needs of pets by including essential nutrients, for their health and vitality.

Dairy Based Pet Food market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2024-2034

Market Key Insights

  • The Dairy Based Pet Food market is projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 6.1%, reflecting rising demand across Canine Nutrition, Small Mammal Nutrition and Feline Nutrition.

  • The market leaders in this industry include Nestle Purina Pet Care, Mars Petcare Inc. and Hill's Pet Nutrition which determine the competitive dynamics of this market.

  • U.S. and Canada are the top markets within the Dairy Based Pet Food market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 4.0% to 5.9% between 2024 and 2030.
  • Emerging markets including Brazil, India and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 7.0% to 8.4%.

  • The Dairy Based Pet Food market will experience a $400.0 million growth boost from the transition toward natural ingredients during the period ending in 2030.

  • The Dairy Based Pet Food market is set to add $2.6 billion between 2024 and 2034, with manufacturer targeting Veterinary Clinics & Shelters End-User projected to gain a larger market share.
  • With

    increasing pet humanization, and

    growing awareness of pet health and nutrition, Dairy Based Pet Food market to expand 81% between 2024 and 2034.

dairy based pet food market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032

Opportunities in the Dairy Based Pet Food

The progress in technology, for producing dairy products and pet food could greatly benefit the dairy based food sector by improving nutritional quality and increasing the shelf life of these products to better meet the preferences of pet owners.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia Pacific

North America Outlook

In North America's thriving market for dairy based food products are abundant opportunities due to the high rate of pet ownership and the growing awareness among consumers regarding pet nutrition matters is on the rise. This region stands out for having industry players like Purina and Mars Petcare which contributes to a fiercely competitive market scenario. The increasing demand for dairy based food can be attributed to the trend of treating pets like family members and the surging interest, in premium pet food options. The market in this region continues to expand due to the progress made in food technology and the growing availability of dairy products that are lactose free catering to pets, with specific dietary needs.

Asia Pacific Outlook

In the Asia Pacific region. In countries such as China and Japan. There is a noticeable increase in the popularity of Dairy Based Pet Food products among pet owners. This rise in demand is being driven by the uptick in adoption rates and the growing disposable incomes of individuals in this region. The competitive landscape is quite diverse with a mix of international brands competing for their share of the market. Factors contributing to this market growth include a focus on pet well being and health a preference for higher quality pet food options and a trend, towards treating pets more like family members. Emerging advancements in food processing and the launch of creative dairy infused pet food items are also fuelin the markets expansion, in the Asia Pacific region.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Increasing Pet Humanization, and Technological Advancements in Pet Food Production

The practice of humanizing pets is also becoming more popular as pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family unit than just animals in the home. These changing attitudes have also resulted in a demand for premium pet food options like dairy based products. Pet parents are also seeking out well rounded meals for their furry companions and dairy based pet food is also often seen as a suitable choice due to its protein content and essential nutrients. This shift, in consumer behavior is also anticipated to boost the growth of the dairy based food industry in the foreseeable future.

Recent progress, in the food industry has also led to the creation of dairy infused pet food that not only retains the nutritional benefits of its components but also extends its shelf life significantly. These innovations have also enabled the development of a diverse range of dairy based pet foods to accommodate various dietary requirements and tastes of pets.


Pet parents are also realizing the significance of offering their companions a well rounded and healthy diet more than ever before. they are also turning to dairy infused food as its known for its rich nutrients and positive effects it has also for pets such as aiding digestion and promoting strong bones. This increasing awareness is also projected to have also an impact, in the realm of dairy based pet food industry.

02

Restraint: High Production Costs

Production costs for food made from dairy can be quite high because good quality ingredients are necessary along with strict safety standards and advanced processing methods being used in the production process. This increased cost in production may result in prices, for the final products which could restrict market expansion as consumers focused on cost might choose more affordable options instead.

03

Opportunity: Strategic Collaborations for Market Expansion and Exploring Untapped Markets

Forming partnerships with nearby manufacturers or distributors could assist companies producing pet food made from dairy in entering fresh markets and broadening their clientele base. Other than that collaborations of this nature could foster the sharing of insights, on market trends and consumer choices enabling manufacturers to customize their offerings to suit these preferences.


The pet food industry that relies on dairy products is looking to expand into markets with great opportunities ahead of it in developing countries where a rising middle class is embracing pet ownership and showing a willingness to invest in top tier pet nutrition like dairy based products.

04

Challenge: Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

Certain pets might encounter restrictions or allergies that could hinder their ability to consume pet food containing dairy products. For example lactose intolerance is an issue among dogs and cats prompting them to steer clear of such items. This aspect poses a constraint on the target audience, for dairy infused pet food products potentially stunting market growth.

Supply Chain Landscape

1
Raw Material Procurement

Dairy Farmers of America

Fonterra Co-operative Group

2
Ingredient Processing

Nestle Purina

Mars Petcare

3
Pet Food Production

Hill's Pet Nutrition

Blue Buffalo

4
Distribution & Retail

PetSmart

Amazon

*The illustration highlights the key stakeholders within the supply chain ecosystem.

Applications of Dairy Based Pet Food in Canine Nutrition, Small Mammal Nutrition & Feline Nutrition

Canine Nutrition

Canine nutrition often relies on dairy based food as a significant component of their diet range – from milk replacements for puppies to nutrient dense meals for adult dogs with high protein and essential vitamin content found in cheeses and yogurts that are beneficial additions to a dogs daily nourishment plans offered by key brands, like Purina and Blue Buffalo known for their premium dairy infused dog food selections.

Feline Nutrition

Pet food derived from dairy is commonly incorporated into the diet of cats for their needs despite the fact that cats are often unable to digest lactose properly; they can still benefit from lactose free milk or cheese in limited quantities as supplements to their meals due to their high calcium and nutrient content which support the general health and wellness of felines. Additionally Hills Science Diet and Royal Canin are contenders, in this industry as they provide a range of dairy based food choices specifically designed for cats.

Small Mammal Nutrition

Pet owners often feed dairy based food to small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs for their nutrition needs such as growth and bone health benefits from protein and calcium rich dairy products occasionally included in their diet to enhance fur quality too. Key companies like Kaytee and Oxbow Animal Health offer a variety of dairy based food options, for mammals in this market segment.

Recent Developments

December 2024

Nestl Purina PetCare announced the launch of their innovative dairy-based pet food range, fortified with probiotics for enhanced pet gut health.

October 2024

Mars Petcare has launched a series of dairy infused pet food options packed with essential nutrients and vitamins aimed at the high end pet food market.

August 2024

Hills Pet Nutrition introduced a dairy based pet food formula tailored to meet the dietary requirements of older pets.

The latest advancements in the Dairy Based Pet Food sector have been quite impressive lately; demonstrating a change in what pet owners prefer for their furry companions. Opting for healthier and more nutritious choices overall. The industry's upward trend is mainly influenced by the rising awareness regarding the health benefits of dairy products for pets, like bone health and digestion enhancement.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Dairy Based Pet Food Market

As a core segment of the Animal Feeds industry, the Dairy Based Pet Food market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Shift towards Natural Ingredients and Rise of E-commerce in Pet Food Sales have redefined priorities across the Animal Feeds sector, influencing how the Dairy Based Pet Food market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Shift towards Natural Ingredients

The pet food industry that relies heavily dairy has seen a change in favor of natural elements due to a growing understanding among consumers about the health and nutrition needs of their pets. Pet guardians are increasingly mindful of the value of the food they give their furry friends and are seeking out dairy based pet foods that are devoid of synthetic ingredients and preservatives in response, to this awareness. The current shift has greatly influenced the pet food production sector by prompting manufacturers to adjust their formulas to incorporate natural ingredients derived from dairy sources.

This industry transition is expected to add $400 million in the industry revenue between 2024 and 2030.
02

Rise of E-commerce in Pet Food Sales

In the Dairy Based Pet Food industry's evolution stands out the increasing presence of e commerce platforms for selling food products online This shift, towards online shopping has been driven by technological advancements and the ease it offers to consumers More and more people are opting for online platforms to buy their pet food needs This change has not only just broadened the accessibility of dairy based pet food items but also enabled producers to interact directly with customers glean valuable information and customize their product range appropriately.

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