Market update: The latest developments in the Singaporean pet industry

The Singaporean pet care market is expected to reach $184.4 million (€159.3M) in 2026. This is a 3.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase, according to Euromonitor International. The pet population is also expected to increase from 889,200 in 2025 to 891,500 next year.

Pet players are eyeing this sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia to expand their footprint in a key regional market, even as local firms continue to innovate and gain traction.

UMAMI Bioworks EU registration

Singapore-based UMAMI Bioworks registered the first cultivated seafood ingredients for pet food in the European Union, paving the way for its commercialization. The registered ingredients involve cultivated white fish, with one suspended in a liquid nutrient broth. 

The marine biotech firm plans to initially enter the EU market through Germany in early 2026, through a commercial launch with local partners. Beyond Germany, the startup aims to expand into the UK as it awaits approval for its cultivated protein pet food products.

“[The registration] accelerates our expansion strategy across multiple EU member states, each representing sophisticated pet owner demographics with growing demand for premium, sustainable and ethical pet nutrition solutions,” Gayathri Mani, Product Manager at UMAMI Bioworks, tells GlobalPETS.

“This regulatory approval also enhances our positioning with potential partners, creating positive momentum that extends well beyond a single market entry,” Mani adds.

Founded in 2020, UMAMI Bioworks is an AI-powered startup specializing in traceable, cruelty-free solutions across seafood, cosmetics and nutrition, spanning cultivated seafood to marine bioactives.

In July, the Singaporean government agency, the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), granted regulatory approval for Friends & Family Pet Food Company to sell cultivated meat-based pet food across Southeast Asia. The California-based company produces human-grade cultivated meat from the cells of Kampung chickens – a native breed in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Royal Canin expansion

Mars-owned Royal Canin established its presence in Singapore in September as an affiliate, continuing to supply its range of tailored nutrition products for cats and dogs.

The expansion is part of the brand’s long-term investment in the country. “Royal Canin’s growing presence in Singapore enhances its ability to collaborate closely with veterinarians, breeders, pet professionals and pet owners within the country and across the region,” Royal Canin tells GlobalPETS.

“Our commitment is focused on meaningfully improving lives across our business and value chain by sharing knowledge, providing services that enhance pet health and developing monitoring and screening tools that empower pet professionals to deliver better care for animals,” it adds.

BOM BOM raises $2.5M

Pet nutrition tech firm BOM BOM closed a SG$3.5 million ($2.5M/€2.1M) pre-Series A funding round led by seed-stage venture capital firm Blueprint Ventures.

The new capital will be used to automate production, advance its nutrigenomic research capabilities and accelerate its precision nutrition platform, which is powered by thousands of pet health profiles and AI to deliver personalized meals. 

Founded in 2017, BOM BOM serves a client base in Singapore and Korea via its direct-to-customer (DTC) model.

Ascott expands pet-friendly offerings

The hospitality company Ascott, owned by Singapore-listed firm CapitaLand Investment (CLI), added the hotel lyf one-north Singapore to its pet-friendly portfolio in April.

The initiative includes pet adoption drives, yoga sessions for dogs and cats, pet treat workshops, and obedience training sessions.

“With our pet-friendly properties strategically located in or near the city center, the introduction of lyf one-north Singapore in the west offers another wonderful home away from home that perfectly suits your family’s lifestyle,” says Judy Wong, Country General Manager for Singapore Operations.

Ascott’s pet-friendly portfolio currently includes Citadines Balestier Singapore, Citadines Raffles Place Singapore and Oakwood Studios Singapore.

Public consultation

The National Parks Board (NParks) launched a public consultation in October on the proposed Veterinary Practice Bill, which seeks to establish the Veterinary Council (VC) as a regulatory body for the veterinary profession in Singapore. 

Under the proposed bill, the VC would administer and maintain the register of veterinary professionals and accredit training and assessment programs. It would also be tasked with investigating professional misconduct or negligence and developing and regularly reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and Standards.

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) also launched new Veterinary Therapeutic Guidelines, developed in collaboration with the Singapore Veterinary Association.

The guidelines are designed to help veterinarians and pet owners make informed decisions about the wide variety of therapies available, whether conventional or complementary, such as acupuncture or massage therapies.