Market Trends of europe dog food Industry
The growing dog-friendly ecosystem in the region is driving the adoption of dogs from animal shelters and rescue organizations
- In Europe, dogs are relatively less popular than cats, with a pet population share of about 29.9%, making them the second-most populous pets after cats in 2022. This is in contrast to the global trend, where dogs are more popular than cats. The dog population in Europe was 21.4% lower than cats in 2022. This was likely because cats are considered lucky in many European countries, such as Italy and Germany. However, the dog population in Europe experienced a significant increase of about 19.1% between 2019 and 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in this growth, as there was a surge in dog adoptions from animal shelters and rescue organizations. With more people spending time at home, the desire for companionship grew, and dog adoption became an attractive option.
- In 2022, the no. of European households owning pet animals exceeded 90 million, which accounted for 46.0% of the total households. This demonstrates that Europe has a greater inclination toward pet humanization. Among European countries, Russia had the largest population of pet dogs in 2022, making up 18.3% of the total dog population, followed by the United Kingdom with 13.4% and Germany with 11.0%.
- The increase in the dog population in Europe has led to the emergence of various adoption programs. This presents opportunities for businesses to explore new ideas within the pet industry. For instance, some French cafes now offer fine dining experiences for dogs, while companies in the United Kingdom provide paid "paw-ternity" leave for pet parents. Sweden has also implemented regulations to ensure the well-being of pets, emphasizing their health. These trends indicate a positive outlook for the growth of the dog population in Europe during the forecast period.
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The surge in demand for high-quality pet food products is increasing the expenditure per pet of pet parents in the region
- Pet expenditure in Europe increased during the historical period because of increased premiumization and spending on different types of food as pet parents became more concerned about the health needs of their pets. These factors helped in increasing the pet expenditure per animal by 24% between 2017 and 2022. In 2022, dogs held the largest share, accounting for 37.9% of the European dog food market, as dogs are fed specialized pet food and have a higher consumption of pet food than cats. For instance, in the United Kingdom, people's average pet food expense was USD 330 in 2022, which was more than a cat's food expense of USD 150. Dogs are provided with services such as pet grooming and training for socialization with other dogs.
- Pet parents provide premium products to their pet dogs. Due to the increasing humanization of pets and rising disposable incomes, pet parents tend to opt for food brands such as Royal Canin, Purina, and Whiskas for their pets. The medium-priced segment of the pet food market is witnessing increased sales due to the similar nutritional values offered by premium products.
- During the pandemic, there was an increase in the sales of pet food through online channels, as the majority of supermarkets had fewer product offerings due to the lockdowns. E-commerce websites also have a higher number of products available. It helped Amazon to be a leader in pet food sales in the United Kingdom, with the website receiving more than 579 million visits annually since the pandemic.
- The rising consumption of medium-priced food and growing awareness about the benefits of healthy, nutritious pet food helped in increasing pet expenditure in the region.
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