Gluten-Free Pet Food Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Source (Animal , Plant), By Product Type (Dry Pet Food, Wet and Canned Pet Food, Snacks and Treats), By End-User (Dog , Cat , Others), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Specialty Retail Stores, Online Retail Stores , Others) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The gluten-free pet food market is witnessing a significant traction in the global marketplace due to the increasing awareness among customers about the health and diet of their pets. In pets such as dogs, the excessive consumption of gluten is responsible for producing IgE antibodies. This excessive production of antibodies impairs villi's functioning, causing the dogs to suffer from epilepsy, vomiting, anaemia, and other diseases. Hence, veterinary doctors suggest pet owners provide their pets with gluten-free products, which further increases the demand for gluten-free pet food products in recent years.

According to a recent study, nearly half of US Pet owners (around 49%) believed that gluten-free pet foods are healthier for their pets. Thus, this will benefit the growth of the global gluten-free pet food market. The extensive availability of gluten-free pet food such as Kitzy Dry Cat food, Hi-Tek Naturals Grain-Free (Dry), and others has attracted a large consumer base. The packaging of these products also eases their transportation across the globe. The rapid urbanization in some developing economies is allowing the consumers to spend more on pet products, which has supported the growth of the gluten-free pet food market globally.

The increasing consumer inclination towards providing balanced and nutritious meals to their pets and growing consciousness towards the wellbeing of their pets plays a crucial role in the growth of the market. The prominent players are focusing on new collaborations and product launches to cater the rising consumers’ demands. Thus, companies are developing pet food products that are specific to the condition of pets' health such as weight, breed type, allergies, health conditions and others. Such product innovation is expected to boost the global sales performance of gluten-free pet food. Recently, J.M. Smucker Company recalled its product—“Meow Mix” which has been found to cause salmonella infection in certain breeds of cats.  

The high cost of gluten-free pet food is expected to hamper its market growth. Limited sensitivity and information availability about gluten sensitivity among pets also hinder understanding the right food for the concerned pet.

Key Players Covered:

The key players of global gluten-free pet food market are Mars Inc., Solid Gold Pet LLC, Purina (Nestlé Group), The Nutro Company, Three Dog Bakery, Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd., Merrick Pet Care Inc., Wellpet LLC, Champion Petfoods, Midwestern Pet Foods, and Pets Global Inc.

When used for pets, gluten-free products help to provide health benefits for pets such as healthier skin and coat, better digestion, better nutrients, and more energy. Veterinary doctors have suggested that allergies in pets occur due to gluten rich diets and hence advice the pet owners to provide gluten free diets to their pets. In certain cases, these foods are also used as fillers in the diet and also used for weight loss in pets.

The online retail stores are gaining attention from the consumers due to the availability of numerous products in their shelves compared to the brick and mortar stores. This allows the customers to search about the product information in advance and makes it convenient for them to select the best product for their pets.

Regional Analysis:

North America is witnessing significant growth in the gluten-free pet food market owing to consumers increasing preferences towards pet health. As per the recent statistics, U.S. has the highest population of cats and dogs in the world. The increasing demand for gluten-free pet food as a snack among households is expected to drive its regional market.

Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness substantial growth in the foreseeable future due to the growing adoption of the pet-conscious diet. The developing economies such as India and China are witnessing a rise in the consumers’ disposable income, subsequently allowing them to spend more on well-being of their pets. The increasing health consciousness for pets, especially among the younger cohort, is also expected to boost the gluten-free pet food sector in the region.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In May 2021, Champion Petfoods, Inc. launched new dog products under brand name ACANA and ORIJEN. The ACANA wholesome Grains dog food consists of 60%-65% animal ingredients, which do not include gluten, potato and legume ingredients.