US pet food sales rise drastically despite sluggish production increases

According to numbers in a new report from the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), pet food production in the US has increased only slightly over the past 6 years, but the value of American pet food has climbed dramatically. This has partly been driven by strong inflation in agricultural input goods.

Dog and cat food producers across categories produced $51.7 billion (€46.9B) worth of pet food in 2024, a 71% increase from 2018’s numbers. Meanwhile, the volume of pet food produced was relatively stable, growing by 0.48%.

According to the data, pet food production changes varied by type. Dry and wet food production for both dogs and cats declined over the period. Wet dog food production, for example, fell by 14%, while dog treats production volumes rose by 96%. Cat treats saw an increase of 87%.

Value growth was strongest in cat treats and wet dog food, with the lowest increase in dry cat food values.

Ingredients growth

The report breaks down production numbers by research firm Decision Innovation Solutions and illustrates the breadth of agricultural ingredients used for America’s pet food. Coupled with a previous report released in early 2020, the numbers show a changing pet food industrial base.

The total amount spent on input ingredients also increased significantly over the period, nearly doubling. In 2018, the pet food industry purchased $6.9 billion (€6.3B) worth of ingredients.

By 2024, that increased 91% to $13.2 billion (€12B). However, volume increased by only 7%, showing a shift toward pricier ingredients and the mark of high inflation.

Marine ingredients growth

The report shows new ingredients have become a standard part of pet food. Marine ingredients, once a small part of the industry, have been growing their share of what goes in pet bowls.

American pet food producers bought nearly twice as many marine ingredients in 2024 compared to 2019, with the sector seeing 95% growth. Purchases of meat and poultry products increased by 34% during the same period. Marine ingredients simultaneously showed some of the steepest value increases, with the total purchased ingredient value rising by 262%.

The total quantity of ingredients purchased increased by 7%. The value of those bought increased by 91%.

Upcycling

The report also shows that 44% of the volume of pet food ingredients were upcycled ingredients, byproducts from other industries.

This indicates the US’s value of upcycled pet food ingredients is $3.4 billion (€3.1B). These byproducts tended to be cheaper than other ingredients and only made up 26% of the value of ingredients as bought.

Upcycled ingredients made up a higher proportion of the ingredients used in cat food than in dog food, making up roughly half the volume of cat food ingredients.