Lately, the pet food industry in the USA has witnessed significant growth, fueled by the increasing demand for high-quality and nutritious food for furry companions. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of households in the United States own a pet, which equates to 90.5 million homes.
Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-pet-market
The US pet market growth is directly proportional to the US pet food market. So as the pet market is increasing, so is the pet food market. USA is not only the world’s largest pet market but here you will find the Largest Pet Food Companies in USA as well.
Americans’ love of their pets allows them to never hesitate to spend money on their pet’s health and well-being. To endorse my statement, I have gathered some facts and figures from Mordor Intelligence. Their study states that Americans spent $76.80 billion on their pets in 2023 and this figure is going to significantly rise in the coming years.
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-pet-market
The studies estimate the United States Pet Market size at USD 80.69 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 103.27 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.06% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
These figures led me to dig deeper and collect the names of the fur-friendly food giants of the market. I have gathered this list of the largest pet food companies in the USA (based on annual revenue). Probably you will be aware of most of the names.
Mars PetCare Inc. 1st Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Although famous as a candy manufacturer, Mars PetCare Inc. is also the USA’s largest pet food company. Its $19.5 billion revenue from pet food makes it at the top of the list.
It owns several billion-dollar labels like Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, and Lams.
Mars is also a prominent name in pet healthcare. It owns Banfield Pet Hospital, Blue Pearl, VCA and AniCura.
Nestle Purina Pet Care, 2nd Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Nestle, being one of the famous food brands hasn’t ignored the importance of nutritious food for pets. They have a wide range of brands other than Purina that manufacture and deliver highly nutritious pet food. Alpo, Felix, Kit, Fancy Feast, Kaboodle, and Merrick are a few to mention here.
Nestle Purina Pet Care is in close competition for Mars. With over 8 $19 billion per year from animal food, it is lagging a little behind Mars. However, these two companies are the biggest among the largest pet food companies in USA.
J.M. Smucker, 3rd largest Pet Food Company in USA
For over 120 years, J.M. Smucker companies have been offering valuable products and have won customers’ trust. Like Mars, J.M. Smucker is also popular for other products like Jam to mention here. J.M.Smucker owns various other companies like Cannie Carry Outs, Natural Balance, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Milk-Bone, Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9-Lives, Meow Mix and more. But it earns $2.9 per year from its pet food products only.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 4th Largest Pet Food Companies in USA
Hills and Pet Nutrition is a subsidiary company of Colgate Palmolive Company. Hill’s earn a revenue of $2.3 billion every year. This company has its own way of doing business. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, rather than targeting customers, goes through vets.
Hence, it does not come as a surprise that Hill’s Pet Nutrition is one of the most trusted and recommended brands by veterinarians. Many of its products require a registered practitioner’s prescription, like Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet.
Diamond Pet Foods, 5th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
With a revenue of $1.5 billion Diamond Pet Foods is a family company owned by family members. However, despite being family-owned, their revenue and their being in the top 10 largest pet food companies in USA is quite astonishing.
Their success is accredited to their commitment and their goal of serving quality nutritious pet food. Besides, their vision to provide natural, high-quality and real ingredients-based pet food makes them a favourite choice of advocates of organic food.
Founded in 1970, Diamond Pet Foods is primarily known as a pet food manufacturer. This company also produces some of the high-profile foods on this list. Taste of the Wild, Nutra, and Diamond Naturals are also its own labels.
Blue Buffalo, 6th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Blue Buffalo is one of the youngest (founded in 2003) yet one of the top 10 largest pet food companies in USA. They have a high-quality, balanced life protection formula that is quite famous among its users. Hence, its $1.3 billion annual revenue doesn’t come as a surprise ascertaining its popularity.
Blue Buffalo has various labels that are becoming quite popular among their users, like Naturally Fresh, Basic, Dry and Wet, Large Breed and Wilderness. They have achieved success by using high-quality and wholesome ingredients. They also offer a wide range of nutritional options like Gluten-free, Grain-free and high-protein pet food.
Spectrum Brands/ United Pet Group, 7th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Spectrum Brands is a privately owned pet food manufacturer. However, the company has a significant presence in the international pet food industry. Their customers trust them for their high-quality, natural pet foods in the international pet food market.
They offer a wide range of pet food products, including wet and dry food, treats, and supplements. United Pet Group offers Rawhide Treats and Wild Harvest under its label Salix Animal Health.
Their quality products help them earn massive revenue from domestic and international markets. They score up to $820 million per year. Their variety of pet care products also helps add to their revenue. Their pet care accessories are under the labels Nature’s Miracle and Litter Maid
WellPet, 8th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
When two old but powerful companies ( Old Mother Hibbard & Eagle Pack Pet Foods) joined their forces, it gave birth to the WellPet brand. Although it’s a very recent (2008) name in the field, it’s indeed quite extraordinary to be able to make its place in the top 10 largest pet food companies in USA.
Their vision to serve every pet with love, care and affection at every stage of life led them to introduce innovative yet wholesome and pet-friendly products to the market.
WellPet is the parent company that owns several popular pet food brands, including Wellness, Sojos, Old Mother Hubbard, and Holistic Select. They earn yearly $700 million in revenue from their pet food products.
CJ Pet Foods, 9th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Although C.J. Foods doesn’t have any brand, they manufacture speciality dry pet food for leading U.S. super-premium brands. This fur-friendly giant is among the top 10 largest pet food companies in USA because it manages to earn $580 million every year. They manufacture natural and premium pet food for several other pet food companies like Blue Buffalo.
After acquiring American Nutrition under its label CJ Pet Foods has earned massive success and recognition in the market.
Central Garden and Pet, 10th Largest Pet Food Company in USA
Founded in 1980, Central Garden and Pet Company was primarily a lawn care company. It has been a market leader in garden care since then but makes a decent amount of pet food as well. Surprisingly they earn $390 million annually from their pet food products, even though not many people know them as a pet food company.
Hence, they sell a large number of chewy toys and are one of the top 10 largest pet food companies in USA.
They have one of the largest pet food and treat brands, Pinnacle, AvoDerm, and Nylabone.
Several other names too are committed to providing high-end nutritious food for pets and add up to the total industry revenue. The pet market is growing, and so is the pet food market. With such trustworthy names on the market, it has become extremely easy to grab a delicious and nutritious treat for your pets on the go. These Pet Food Companies in USA have made things easier for pet owners by offering a wide variety of products. Let it be dry food or wet food and even supplements. They are committed to manufacturing safe and healthy pet food products that are guaranteed for balanced nutrition.
FAQ’s
- How many pet food companies are in USA
There are a total of 961 Pet Food Production businesses in the US as of 2023.
- Which is the most popular pet food brand?
Pedigree brand owned by Mars Petcare Inc. is one of the most popular pet food brands.
- Which is the fastest-growing pet food company globally?
The global revenue of Whitebridge Pet Brands grew by over 172 per cent between 2020 and 2021, making it the fastest-growing pet food company in the world.
- What is the size of the pet food market?
As of my last update, the global pet food market was estimated to be valued at around USD 80.69 in 2024. However, market sizes can change over time.
