Fish Based PET Food Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Fish Based Pet Food Market Trends and Insights

Rising Demand for Omega-3 Rich Diets for Skin and Coat Health

Clinical evidence linking EPA and DHA intake to improved dermatological outcomes propels fish-based formulations into daily routines. Veterinarians increasingly specify marine-sourced omega-3s because of superior bioavailability versus plant substitutes. Owners, seeking functional solutions, accept premiums of 15-25% above conventional diets. This convergence elevates the fish-based pet food market as a go-to option for preventive care, reinforcing volume gains across both dry and wet platforms.

Premiumization and Human-Grade Ingredient Trends

Expenditure patterns mirror human food habits: fresh, minimally processed, traceable seafood inputs move from the dinner plate into the bowl. Premium dog and cat food sales rose 5% and 9% respectively in 2024, while fresh and frozen categories registered 16.1% value growth^{[1]Source: Jordan Tyler, “Fundamental and functional uses for fats and oils in pet nutrition,” Pet Food Processing, petfoodprocessing.net}. The fish-based pet food market benefits directly as brands promote wild-caught or sustainably farmed salmon, tuna, and whitefish that meet human-grade criteria. Start-ups leverage transparency to vie with universals like Mars and Nestlé, shifting competition toward storytelling and ingredient ethics.

Growth of Wet Cat Food Containing Marine Proteins

Wet cat food usage stood at 59% of owners in 2024. Taurine, arachidonic acid, and readily digested protein levels in fish validate the format’s biological fit for felines. Odor and texture hurdles that once constrained fish-based kibble are absent in canned products, allowing manufacturers to command 20-30% higher margins. Consequently, the fish-based pet food market records an outsized contribution from wet SKUs and sees ongoing innovation in gourmet textures, pates, and broth-rich recipes.

Upcycling of Fish Processing By-Products Reduces Raw-Material Cost

Turning heads, bones, and trimmings into premium meals boosts recovery rates up to 90% of whole-fish biomass. Brands report raw-material cost cuts of 12-18% after adopting full-stream utilization. Circular messaging resonates with eco-focused buyers, positioning the fish-based pet food market as a sustainability vanguard. Supply partners in Norway, Chile, and Thailand integrate vertically to secure by-product flows, fostering price stability and environmental credentials simultaneously. The trend accelerates as sustainability becomes a key purchasing criterion, with by-product utilization serving as a tangible differentiator in marketing communications.

Volatility in Global Fishmeal and Fish-Oil Prices

Peruvian anchovy landings exceeded 4.8 million metric tons in 2024 after a weak 2023, swinging commodity prices sharply^{[2]Source: Chris Chase, “Peru doubles anchovy quota for first season of 2024,” SeafoodSource, seafoodsource.com}. With Peru covering 15-20% of global fishmeal supply, pet food producers face hedge-or-absorb decisions every season. Sudden cost spikes strain premium SKUs where pricing elasticity is thin, challenging margin preservation in the fish-based pet food market. The challenge intensifies as premium pet food segments cannot easily absorb price increases without risking consumer defection to alternative protein sources, creating a strategic dilemma between profitability and market share preservation.

Sustainability Concerns Over Forage Fish Stocks

Forage fish landings reached 27.3 million metric tons, underscoring a resource under pressure from both aquaculture and pet food demand. Activist scrutiny drives retailers to vet sourcing audits, and regulators eye stricter quotas. Brands respond by tapping certified fisheries, blending algae-derived DHA, or spotlighting low-trophic species. Meeting eco-criteria adds compliance costs yet also differentiates offerings within the fish-based pet food market. The emergence of alternative protein sources, including marine micro-algae for omega-3 production, offers potential solutions but requires significant investment in new supply chains and consumer education to achieve market acceptance.

Segment Analysis

By Pet Type: Cats Drive Marine Protein Adoption

Cats accounted for 48.2% of the fish-based pet food market size in 2024, and with an 8.5% CAGR outlook, they anchor future demand. Taurine, DHA, and arachidonic acid, naturally abundant in fish, mesh with feline physiology, turning marine ingredients into a near-default option. Usage of wet cat food incorporating salmon, tuna, and sardines rose sharply, signaling sustained brand investment. Dogs retain a majority of volume but slower growth, relying on omega-3 positioning rather than species-specific necessity.

The cat-centric dynamic widens, premiumization owners accept higher price points for arthritis relief, glossy coats, and reduced shedding. In Asia, cultural affinity between cats and fish intensifies market penetration, with Japanese and Chinese processors tailoring sardine and mackerel pâtés for local taste expectations. Specialty boutiques highlight feline-only recipe lines, enhancing shelf differentiation across the fish-based pet food market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Product Form: Fresh Formats Challenge Traditional Leadership

Wet/canned goods held 42.3% of the fish-based pet food market share in 2024. However, refrigerated and fresh chubs, rolls, and patties are projected for a 20.2% CAGR, signaling changing consumer preferences. Freshpet’s USD 975.2 million sales underscore category credibility, with fish-inclusive SKUs propelling the brand.

The transition to chilled cases reflects humanization where buyers hunt for short ingredient lists and real salmon fillets visible through transparent packaging. Dry kibble still commands pantry presence for convenience, though odor management limits high fish load. Freeze-dried chunks bridge the gap by offering shelf stability without compromising nutrient density, nudging incremental penetration in the fish-based pet food market.

By Ingredient Species: Salmon Dominance Faces Emerging Challengers

Salmon captured 30% of the fish-based pet food market size in 2024. Familiarity, fatty-acid density, and consistent supply keep it center stage across premium and mainstream lines. Yet sardine and herring track a 10.3% CAGR as sustainability metrics become purchasing filters. Their lower trophic level reduces ecological impact while delivering higher EPA/DHA ratios, enabling marketers to pitch “greener” omega-3 packages.

Tuna retains relevance in feline pouches, especially in Asia. Whitefish variants such as cod and pollock serve value tiers without abandoning marine positioning. Interest in novel species think mackerel, anchovy, or even invasive carp signals proactive diversification to mitigate single-species exposure, a strategic hedge within the fish-based pet food market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Distribution Channel: E-commerce Transforms Market Access

Online platforms held 43.2% revenue in 2024 and posted the highest 12.4% CAGR forecast. Automatic reorder programs, ingredient explainers, and user reviews lower trial barriers for pricey fish SKUs. Specialty pet stores continue to showcase refrigerated ranges, leveraging consultative selling for therapeutic diets. Mass retail answers convenience seekers with combo offers bundling salmon kibble and wet toppers.

United States online pet food sales already exceed USD 21 billion. In China, online penetration is headed toward 54% by 2025. Smaller labels exploit drop-shipping to niche audiences sensitive-skin or weight-management blends, tilting competitive parity across the fish-based pet food market.

Geography Analysis

North America commanded 42.5% of revenue in 2025, buoyed by premium willingness to pay and widespread vet endorsement of fish-based prescription diets. Robust logistics handle refrigerated SKUs, and e-commerce penetration tops global averages. United States manufacturers also serve export demand, outbound shipments to East Asia climbed as Chinese tariffs eased^{[3]Source: Food and Agriculture Organization Correspondent, “Peruvian anchovy TAC highest since 2011,” Food and Agriculture Organization, fao.org}. Canada mirrors preferences for salmon and trout, while Mexico’s rising middle class pushes adoption of tuna-infused recipes.

Asia-Pacific stands out with an 8.5% CAGR to 2030, underpinned by demographic and cultural forces. Regional processors in Thailand and New Zealand leverage abundant fisheries to export canned fish diets, amplifying supply chain agility within the fish-based pet food market. Europe offers a sophisticated yet regulation-heavy environment. Consumers scrutinize MSC labels and expect verified low biogenic-amine levels, especially in salmon pâtés. 

Brands comply with rising sustainability benchmarks, often blending algae-derived DHA to offset forage fish pressure. Eastern Europe opens incremental volume as disposable income expands. South America, led by Brazil and Chile, benefits from local fishing economies, and chilled salmon rolls gain shelf space in high-end outlets. The Middle East and Africa display nascent but rising demand. Affluent Gulf households favor imported tuna mousse, while South Africa’s coastal fisheries feed local kibble production.