Rising Trends of Pet Humanization Among People and Increasing Adoption of Pets Among the Elderly Population Have Boosted the Canada Pet Food Market During 2016-2020

The Canada pet food market grew at a significant rate owing to the increasing adoption of pets among the population that gives rise to the demand for pet food. Pet food is a specialized diet for domesticated animals that are designed to meet their nutritional requirements. Meat, meat by-products, cereals, grain, vitamins, and minerals are common ingredients in pet food. More than 3,000 different pet food options are available, including dry, canned, and semi-moist varieties, as well as snacks like biscuits, kibbles, and treats. The majority of pet food is "complete and balanced," which implies that each serving is a complete meal with all of the necessary nutrients. As a result, pet foods are made with meticulously prepared recipes created by veterinary scientists and experts in companion animal nutrition. Proteins, lipids, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and independent amino acids are the four major types of nutrients. There are 42 to 48 important nutrients for cats and dogs which have been discovered by veterinary researchers. The components used in a particular pet food recipe supply this.

In 2016, the production of pet food was 1,765.9 metric tons which increased yearly till 2020 and produced 2,363.8 metric tons. According to the Pet Food Association of Canada, 97% of pet food was imported from the U.S. and about 617.5 metric tons of pet food are imported in 2020. Additionally, increased pet adoption, rising demand for premium dog and cat food, and changes in pet animal food manufacturers' strategy have all boosted dog and cat food sales in Canada. During the lockdown, pet owners stocked up on dog and cat food, resulting in a short-term spike in sales.

Canada's pet population has grown at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 0.4% from 27.5 million pets in 2016 to 27.9 million pets in 2020. As people are getting more conscious of the health of pets which rising the adoption of pet food. Pet food helps in providing proper nutrition and energy to animals which helps them to survive healthily. So, consumers are trying to make habits of their pet to adopt pet food for their health. Rising trends of adopting pets among the population gave rise to the usage of pet food were some of the factors that drove the Canada Pet Food Industry from 2016 to 2020.

Recently, people are getting more concerned for their pets. The change from pet ownership to pet parenting has been a crucial and defining development in the pet food industry. As a result of the pet humanization movement, pets are now considered members of the family. The growing relationship between pet owners and their pets influences consumers' willingness to spend more on pet food. Consumers are getting increasingly worried about their pets' health and purchasing high-nutrient pet food for their pets' benefit. In addition to traditional meal products, pet owners often seek out pet consumables that are locally created, natural, or offer special health benefits. Furthermore, the pet humanization movement has boosted health awareness, resulting in a desire for pet food that is free of sugar, grain, dye, and other chemical additives. As a result of the increasing trends of pet humanization and premiumization, pet food demand increased in the previous years.

Recently, animals are suffering from obesity, emaciation, rickets, allergies, and fur loss. These illnesses are typically induced by the amount or quality of food provided, but they can also be driven by medical conditions and parasite infestations. In Canada, about 2% of dogs are suffering from malnutrition which increases awareness among society to provide proper feed to the dog and many other kinds of pets. Thus, the rising number of malnutrition among pets soaring the need for pet food which in turn drives the market growth.

In June 2020, Kabo launched its latest product Monch Bars which offers an all-natural protein snack for on-the-go energy. Monch Bars are individually wrapped and formulated with locally sourced, allergy-friendly proteins such as salmon, duck, and lamb. The dog snacks feature only natural ingredients, including oatmeal and turmeric to reduce inflammation and support digestion.

The major companies in the Canadian pet food market include Elmira Pet Products, Corey Nutrition Company, Horizon Pet Food, Canadian Jerky, Kabo, Champion Pet Foods, PLB International, BRT Pet Foods, Smack Pet Foods Inc., and Canadian Naturals among others.

Over the years, major market players have focused on different types of pet food which is beneficial for the health of the animal. The launch of new market companies, adequate funding, and government-aided policies help in the innovation of pet food products. The continuous developments in the Canadian pet food market are the major factors set to drive the Canada Pet Food Market over the historical period 2016-2020.