The global grain-free pet food market is projected to reach $12.8 billion by 2033, up from $6.9 billion in 2024, according to a report from Growth Market Reports. The market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% from 2025 to 2033.
The report attributes growth to increasing consumer demand for premium and specialized pet food products, along with rising awareness of the relationship between pet wellness and nutrition.
Grain-free formulations use alternative carbohydrate sources — such as sweet potatoes, lentils, chickpeas or peas — in place of traditional grains like wheat, corn, barley or rice.
Key drivers
The report identifies pet humanization as a primary market driver, noting that pet owners increasingly treat pets as family members and seek food products that reflect human dietary trends, including natural ingredients, clean labels and specialized diets.
Growing awareness of pet health and nutrition is also cited as a factor. According to the report, more than half of pet owners associate grain-free diets with improved pet wellbeing, and consumers increasingly seek specialized options for pets with food sensitivities or digestive concerns.
The report also points to broader premiumization trends within the pet food industry, rising pet ownership in urban areas globally, and higher disposable incomes in developing markets as contributing factors.
Challenges
The report notes ongoing debate around the nutritional adequacy of grain-free diets, including research examining potential links between grain-free formulations and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The report describes those research findings as inconclusive.
Cost is also identified as a restraint, with grain-free products typically priced 15%–35% higher than standard formulations.
Competitive landscape
Companies identified in the report as operating in the grain-free pet food market include Nestlé Purina PetCare, Mars Petcare, Blue Buffalo (General Mills), Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive), Diamond Pet Foods, WellPet LLC, Champion Petfoods, Spectrum Brands (United Pet Group), Merrick Pet Care, Nature's Variety, The J.M. Smucker Co. (Big Heart Pet Brands), Canidae Pet Food, Nutro Co. and Natural Balance Pet Foods.
