PET MILK REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS MARKET ANALYSIS

Pet Milk Replacement Products Market Size and Trends

The pet milk replacement products market is estimated to be valued at USD 204.4 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 309.5 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2024 to 2031.

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The market has been witnessing steady growth on account of rising pet ownership and increasing awareness among owners about providing balanced nutrition to their pets.  The demand for pet milk replacement products is being driven by the growing preference of pet owners to switch to plant-based, dairy-free options for their pets. This is due to the availability of a wide range of products containing high-quality protein and nutrients that serve as suitable alternatives to diary-based pet milk. Additionally, innovations in formulations and formats such as powder, liquid, and semi-moist are expanding choices for owners.

Rising pet ownership

As people are increasingly living alone or with small families, pet ownership is growing rapidly. Pets are considered important members of the family by many owners. With growing attachment to pets, owners are also more focused on providing the best nutrition and care for their furry companions. While milk was earlier considered as a supplement for puppies and kittens, it is now seen as an important part of adult pet diets as well. As people spend more time with their pets, they are more informed about optimal pet nutrition through various sources online. This has increased the demand for pet milk replacement products that can provide balanced calcium and nutrients to pets just like mothers' milk. Various pet food and supplement brands have launched milk replacement formulas specially tailored for different life stages of cats and dogs. The flavors and packaging of these products also aim to attract pet parents looking for the best for their pets.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Rising health concerns

There is growing awareness among pet owners about various allergies and intolerances that pets can develop. While milk has traditionally been a part of pet diets, some pets show signs of discomfort after consuming it. This could be due to lactose intolerance or milk protein sensitivity. Also, raw milk carries the risk of pathogens that can make pets sick. Pet owners are increasingly checking labels to ensure products are suitable for their pet's individual needs. Specialty pet stores and e-commerce sites offer a wide variety of milk replacement options made with hypoallergenic or easy-to-digest ingredients. Products claim to provide the same nutritional benefits as milk without the risks. They are marketed as being gentler on tender puppy and kitten stomachs as well. As pets are viewed as family, their health and well-being is a priority for many owners. This drives the demand for specially formulated milk substitutes.

Key Takeaways from Analyst:

The pet milk replacement products market has strong growth potential driven by increasing pet humanization and focus on pet health. Rising awareness about the benefits of specialized nutrition for pets will drive the demand for milk replacement products. The market is also benefiting from the expanding variety of products catering to pets with specific nutritional needs.

Concerns around the cost of these specialized products pose a challenge for market growth. In comparison to regular pet food, milk replacement products command higher prices that may limit their adoption. Availability across retail channels is also limited in some regions, restricting access.

The North America region currently dominates the market owing to high pet ownership and spending on pet care. Within North America, the U.S. accounts for the largest share due to widespread availability and marketing campaigns. The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing market, driven by economic growth, rising incomes, and an increasing emphasis on pet nutrition in countries like India and China.

Market Challenges: Lack of consumer awareness

While the demand for plant-based milk replacements is growing due to rising health and environmental concerns, there still exists a lack of awareness among many consumers about the benefits of these products. Most consumers have grown up consuming dairy milk and are familiar with the taste and texture of cow's milk. Plant-based milk differ significantly in taste and mouthfeel from traditional dairy milk. Educating consumers about the nutritional profiles and production processes of various plant-based options is critical to boosting trial and regular adoption. Manufacturers will need to invest heavily in marketing campaigns to highlight the pros of their products while also gently addressing some of the perceived cons around taste and texture. Gaining mainstream appeal will be a slow process that requires clearing long-held consumer perceptions.

Market Opportunities: Growing demand for sustainable and health-focused options

pet milk replacement products market resents a huge opportunity for brands that can address the growing demand for more sustainable and health-focused products. Modern pet owners are increasingly concerned about the ingredients and production processes of the goods they feed their pets. With dairy farming being resource-intensive and some plant-based milk types having lower environmental impacts than cow's milk, there exists a viable market for alternatives made from plant sources. Furthermore, some pet parents prefer options that closely mimic mother's milk for their perceived nutritional completeness. Brands that can offer plant-based milks fortified with the right nutrients while also promoting their sustainable and natural credentials will appeal strongly to today's discerning pet owners. Capturing even a fraction of this audience will allow such innovations to carve a healthy niche and experience steady growth.

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Insights by pet type: Pet Parent Preferences

In terms of pet type, dogs is expected to contribute 49.4% share of the market in 2024, owing to being a preferred pet among families and individuals. Dogs are considered friendly and affectionate companion animals. They provide various physical and mental health benefits to their owners such as encouraging outdoor activities, reducing stress, and improving heart health. Many people prefer dogs over other pets due to their friendly and playful nature which makes them suitable for households with children. Dogs require regular meals and snacks which drives the demand for various pet milk replacement products formulated specifically for dogs. Their need for nutrition and owners' dedication to provide the best care contributes significantly to the dogs segment dominating the pet milk replacement products market in terms of pet type.

Insights by form: Versatility and Convenience

In terms of form, the dry segment is expected to contribute 73.3% share of the pet milk replacement products market in 2024 as it is practical and convenient for pet parents and their furry companions. Dry pet food products have a longer shelf life as compared to liquid forms since they do not contain high moisture content. This makes them suitable for storage without refrigeration for extended periods and also convenient for pet owners to carry during outdoor activities or travel. Dry kibbles are easier to portion control and feed to pets as compared to measuring and pouring liquids. Many pet owners prefer dry forms as they are less messy to handle and do not require cleanup after feeding. The portability and convenience of dry pet food drives their popularity and widespread availability in various retail formats.

Insights by distribution channel: Product Range and Availability

In terms of distribution channel, pet specialty stores is expected to contribute 38.7% share of the pet milk replacement products market  in 2024, owing to their extensive product ranges tailored to specific pet needs. Pet specialty stores employ knowledgeable staff well-versed in nutrition and various lifecycle requirements of cats and dogs. This allows pet parents to obtain expert advice when choosing formulations for their pets. These stores offer specialized lines of premium and super-premium brands with novel ingredients and formats. The wide selection and specialized expertise available in pet stores address owners' expectations of providing the best nutrition and care to their furry companions. Their focus on pet centric assortment helps drive higher store loyalty and purchase frequency over other distribution channel types.

Regional Insights

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North America has established itself as the dominant region in the global pet milk replacement products market. The region is expected to account for 38.7% of the market share in 2024. Being one of the earliest adopters of pet humanization trends, the U.S. and Canada have seen widespread acceptance of milk replacement formulas as a key part of pet nutrition. American pet owners see milk replacers as a necessity rather than a substitute, with many feeding it to pets throughout their life. The region also has a highly organized pet retail distribution network, helping milk replacers reach both large franchise stores and thousands of independent pet shops across cities and towns.

Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing market globally. Countries like India and China have seen explosive growth in pet spending in recent years due to factors like rising incomes, nuclear families, and increased pet ownership in metropolitan areas. While pediatric pet foods are not as commonplace as in the West yet, milk replacers are gaining ground rapidly among new pet parents. Local pet feed companies have recognized the opportunity and have started private labeling milk replacers under their brands. Some global players have also set up manufacturing plants in key Asia Pacific markets to cater to the surging demand.

Market Report Scope

Pet Milk Replacement Products Industry News

• In 2021, Pet-Ag, Inc., launched its new liquid milk replacer, Goat's Milk Esbilac, through its distributor and retailer channel partners. In addition to the current GME powder that is made to be reconstituted, this new, ready-to-use liquid offers added convenience and more choices to meet the growing needs of pet parents and professionals.
• In 2021, Royal Canin North America, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. and a leading player in pet health nutrition, announced an investment of US$ 390 Mn to build a new factory in Lewisburg, Ohio to meet the increasing demand for Royal Canin's premium pet nutrition. This expansion will create 224 new jobs. It also includes the production of cat and dog food product lines.
• In 2020, Grober Nutrition Inc., launched a new pet milk replacement product, Grober Pets. The company is taking its manufacturing and milk replacer expertise to the companion animal world, producing milk replacer products for puppies and kittens. Grober Nutrition Inc. has 40 years in the milk replacer business. Grober Nutrition Inc. has launched this new product line to offer puppy and kitten powdered milk replacers in a smaller retail size.

*Definition: The pet milk replacement products market consists of various formulas designed to serve as an alternative to mother's milk for newborn pets. This includes various liquids, powders, and premixes that provide complete and balanced nutrition for pets during the early stages of development when mother's milk is not available. Common products in this market include kitten and puppy milk replacers, colostrum replacers, and transition formulas designed to slowly introduce other foods as the pet grows older. Pet owners purchase these products to properly nourish their newborn pets from just a few days old until they are ready for adult pet food.

Market Segmentation

• Pet Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Others
•  Form Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Dry
  • Liquid
•  Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Pet Specialty Stores
  • Veterinary Clinics
  • Online Retail
  • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Pet-Ag Inc.
  • The Hartz Mountain Corporation
  • Beaphar B.V.
  • Petlife International Ltd.
  • Royal Canin
  • Toplife Formula
  • GNC Holdings Inc.
  • Grober Nutrition Inc
  • Versele-laga
  • Manna Pro Products LLC.
  • CHS Inc.
  • Cargill, Incorporated
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company
  • Land O’Lakes
  • Glanbia plc
  • Liprovit BV
  • Calva Products, LLC
  • Jordan Agri Limited
  • Nutreco N.V.