Human Grade Pet Foods

Global Human Grade Pet Foods Market to Reach US$3.5 Billion by 2030

The global market for Human Grade Pet Foods estimated at US$2.5 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$3.5 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Snacks & Treats, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 6.8% CAGR and reach US$1.4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Wet Food segment is estimated at 6.0% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$679.1 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 9.3% CAGR

The Human Grade Pet Foods market in the U.S. is estimated at US$679.1 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$713.8 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 9.3% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% and 5.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.8% CAGR.

Global Human Grade Pet Food Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Human Grade Pet Food Gaining Prominence as the Pet Nutrition Industry Evolves?
Human grade pet food is rapidly gaining attention as pet owners increasingly seek to align their pets’ diets with their own standards for health, quality, and transparency. The term "human grade" refers to food that is manufactured in USDA-inspected facilities using ingredients deemed safe for human consumption—distinguishing it from traditional feed-grade pet food. As the humanization of pets becomes a mainstream behavioral trend, consumers are demanding clean-label, minimally processed, and nutritionally balanced products that mirror human food values such as organic sourcing, whole-food ingredients, and absence of artificial additives. This has led to a surge in demand for pet meals that are either home-style cooked, fresh-frozen, or dehydrated, prepared with recognizable ingredients like meats, vegetables, and grains that reflect home-cooked quality.

The market’s growth is further supported by the widespread shift toward wellness-driven lifestyles. Owners are treating pets as family members, leading to greater scrutiny of ingredient lists, sourcing practices, and manufacturing standards. This has paved the way for boutique brands, direct-to-consumer models, and specialty pet food retailers offering premium human grade products. Additionally, rising awareness about pet allergies, obesity, and digestive issues has increased the appeal of diets made without preservatives, fillers, by-products, or unnamed meat sources. Human grade pet food is now positioned not just as a premium category but also as a health-focused solution in managing chronic conditions, enhancing immunity, and supporting overall pet longevity.

How Are Formulation Innovations and Packaging Trends Shaping Product Development and Consumer Adoption?
Human grade pet food manufacturers are investing heavily in innovation across formulation, delivery formats, and packaging to appeal to increasingly sophisticated pet owners. The emphasis is on real, traceable ingredients—such as USDA-certified meats, organic produce, bone broth, and ancient grains—along with functional additives like probiotics, omega-3s, glucosamine, and turmeric for targeted health benefits. Brands are introducing customized meal plans tailored to a pet’s breed, age, weight, and dietary sensitivities, often supported by veterinary consultations or AI-driven nutritional assessments. Cooking methods such as sous vide, slow cooking, or air drying are being adopted to preserve nutrients and ensure palatability, setting human grade foods apart from high-temperature extrusion methods common in conventional kibble.

Packaging trends are also shifting to reflect the premium positioning of the segment. Consumers now expect resealable pouches, recyclable trays, biodegradable containers, and transparent labeling that communicates not just ingredients but also sourcing origin and cooking method. Subscription-based D2C models are using sleek, meal-kit-inspired packaging to deliver freshness and convenience, while incorporating cold-chain logistics to preserve product integrity. QR codes and digital interfaces are being employed to offer detailed batch tracking and feeding guidelines. These elevated packaging and product design strategies are critical to building trust, reducing barrier to trial, and fostering brand loyalty among a discerning consumer base willing to pay a premium for what they perceive as better, safer food for their pets.

What Regulatory and Market Dynamics Are Influencing Supply Chain Practices and Pricing Strategies?
The human grade classification brings stricter compliance requirements, aligning manufacturing and sourcing with food-grade standards typically governed by human food authorities rather than animal feed regulators. This introduces higher production costs due to the need for USDA-inspected kitchens, HACCP-compliant processes, and more rigorous quality control protocols throughout the supply chain. Brands must also navigate dual regulatory oversight from both pet food safety agencies and human food authorities depending on the market, adding complexity to product development and labeling. However, these challenges also serve as competitive differentiators, particularly as consumers become more educated about regulatory standards and demand third-party certifications.

Pricing remains a barrier for mass adoption, as human grade products can cost two to four times more than standard kibble or wet food. Nevertheless, manufacturers are leveraging small-batch production, localized ingredient sourcing, and e-commerce efficiencies to manage margins and expand reach. As economies of scale improve and demand grows, pricing models are gradually being adjusted to target mid-premium consumer segments while maintaining core health and transparency claims. In response to rising inflationary pressures, some brands are also introducing hybrid formulas that combine human grade ingredients with cost-effective components to broaden appeal. This evolving pricing and supply chain landscape reflects the tension between maintaining ultra-premium positioning and expanding market share in a competitive pet nutrition market.

What Is Driving the Growth of the Human Grade Pet Food Market Across Regions and Demographics?
The growth in the human grade pet food market is driven by rising pet ownership, growing awareness of pet health, and the premiumization of pet care across global regions. North America remains the dominant market due to high disposable income, well-established premium pet food channels, and widespread acceptance of subscription-based pet food delivery. Europe follows closely, particularly in markets such as Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands, where clean-label trends and sustainability awareness are driving consumer behavior. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is emerging as a high-growth region due to increasing pet adoption among younger, urban consumers, and rising interest in natural, locally sourced ingredients for pet wellness.

Demographically, millennials and Gen Z pet owners are fueling much of the demand, driven by their digital fluency, heightened health consciousness, and willingness to treat pets as children or companions. These consumers are significantly more likely to research pet food online, engage with brands on social media, and adopt auto-delivery or subscription models for convenience. Additionally, the growing senior pet population is contributing to demand for therapeutic diets and soft-textured meals, which human grade brands are addressing through tailored formulations. With these macro and micro drivers converging, the human grade pet food market is positioned for sustained growth as part of a broader movement toward transparency, personalization, and wellness in pet nutrition.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Human Grade Pet Foods market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Type (Snacks & Treats, Wet Food, Dry Food, Others); Distribution Channel (Supermarkets / Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, Others)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 48 Featured) -

• A Pup Above
• Bella & Duke
• Butternut Box
• Different Dog
• Evermore Pet Food
• Farmer`s Market Pet Food
• Freshpet
• Grocery Pup
• JustFoodForDogs
• Lyka
• Nom Nom
• Ollie
• Open Farm
• PetPlate
• Portland Pet Food Company
• Pure Pet Food
• Raised Right
• Spot & Tango
• The Farmer`s Dog
• The Honest Kitchen

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

We are diligently following expert opinions of leading Chief Economists (14,949), Think Tanks (62), Trade & Industry bodies (171) worldwide, as they assess impact and address new market realities for their ecosystems. Experts and economists from every major country are tracked for their opinions on tariffs and how they will impact their countries.

We expect this chaos to play out over the next 2-3 months and a new world order is established with more clarity. We are tracking these developments on a real time basis.

As we release this report, U.S. Trade Representatives are pushing their counterparts in 183 countries for an early closure to bilateral tariff negotiations. Most of the major trading partners also have initiated trade agreements with other key trading nations, outside of those in the works with the United States. We are tracking such secondary fallouts as supply chains shift.

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APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

Complimentary Update: Our clients will also receive a complimentary update in July after a final reset is announced between nations. The final updated version incorporates clearly defined Tariff Impact Analyses.

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