Frozen FreezeDried Pet Food Market

Frozen & Freeze-Dried Pet Food Market Size

The global frozen & freeze-dried pet food market garnered considerable revenues in 2024 and is expected to grow at a notable CAGR during 2025-2034, driven by rising pet ownership, ongoing humanization of pets, and rising demand for high-quality pet foods. According to the 2024 Global Pet Parent Study, the global pet population was around 1 billion.  Pet owners are becoming more aware of the benefits of natural and raw diets, and they are seeking premium diets as alternatives to traditional kibble and canned food. Frozen and freeze-dried formats retain more nutrients and do not use artificial preservatives and are increasingly attractive to health-conscious pet parents. These products provide the benefits of a raw food diet with convenience and extended shelf life. Manufacturers are increasingly responding to consumer demands by developing an increasing variety of protein sources, functional ingredients, and breed or life-stage-specific formulations.

There is increasing momentum in the frozen and freeze-dried pet food market. Perhaps the biggest driving factor is the ownership of pets. Freeze-dried and frozen foods claiming to offer raw nutrition reduce risks associated with bacteria and short shelf-life products often seen in traditional raw food. Frozen and freeze-dried foods require refrigeration and other special storage/ preparations for feeding that return the focus back to convenience and time restraints, and additional willingness from the customer. There may still be limited offerings in locations that are smaller. Regulatory obstacles with sales of frozen and freeze-dried pet food and the hurdles regarding the raw meat diet also reflect some potential restrictions.

Frozen & Freeze-Dried Pet Food Market Trends

The trends within the frozen and freeze-dried pet food market indicate there will be ongoing movement toward convenience, customizability, and health-conscious feeding. Single-protein and limited-ingredient diets have emerged as an important trend in the freeze-dried and frozen pet food market, which serve the needs of pets with dietary sensitivities or allergies. Consumers with pets are becoming more cognizant of the contents of their animals’ diets and are looking for clean-label products with identifiable ingredients.

There is an apparent trend in a focus on sustainability in product manufacturing, which can include brands exploring sustainable and eco-friendly packaging and a more responsible sourcing approach for meat and fish proteins. Subscription models for sales and online direct-to-consumer platforms are continuing to grow as consumers prioritize convenience and personalization in their pet food purchasing habits. The trend towards holistic pet wellness is expected to continue to shape product development in the next year, and frozen & freeze-dried pet food will be included in these plans.

Frozen & Freeze-Dried Pet Food Market Analysis

The dog food segment generated sizeable revenues in 2024. Dogs account for most households around the world, as well as manufacturers’ priorities regarding diets and diet choices. Pet owners are utilizing frozen and freeze-dried alternatives to feed their dogs with high-protein, raw diet alternatives that reflect dogs' ancestral feeding. Frozen and freeze-dried products meet dogs' needs for muscle maintenance, energy, and overall well-being, and present an attractive option compared to processed kibble.

Buyers care about the transparency in sourcing food for their dogs, which also tends to favour the idea of grass-fed meat made without grains, fillers, or artificial preservatives. Dog food specifications are also emerging with breed specifications or life stage specifications to address puppies, adults, and seniors. The emergence of gourmet frozen meals (containing ingredients like sweet potatoes, salmon, or organic vegetables) continues to grow in popularity, driven by premium pet diets.

The frozen & freeze-dried pet food market from supermarkets and online stores distribution channel segment held a notable share in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a decent CAGR during 2025-2034. Supermarkets are increasingly expanding their pet care aisles with more premium options and frozen and freeze-dried products in dedicated frozen storage or in ambient displays. The convenience of one trip for pet owners and improvements in cold-chain infrastructure have allowed retailers to cater to pet owners seeking a specialized diet while grocery shopping.

Meanwhile, online channels have also become an important growth channel, particularly since e-commerce was significantly accelerated during the pandemic. Many consumers have now become accustomed to ordering online, with many opting for auto-replenishment and subscriptions. As a result, brands are improving their e-commerce presence via D2C and expanding exposure on the large retail online channels. Online channels also offer consumers access to more niche or specialty products that they may not have locally accessible to them.

North America frozen & freeze-dried pet food market held robust growth in 2024. North America has a strong foothold in this market for many reasons, including factors such as high pet ownership, rising disposable incomes, and consumers becoming more open to spending on premium options for their pets. Although the U.S. is not the only region where premium frozen and freeze-dried pet food is experiencing growth, it will always be the largest pet food market due to its developed pet food industry. In North America, the frozen & freeze-dried pet foods market can be found in specialty pet stores, veterinary clinics, grocery chains, and online, which is convenient for pet parents and offers a lot of options to choose from.

North America consumers are also actively engaging in pet wellness trends, which is driving demand for products without artificial ingredients, fillers, or grains. Functional formulations, such as joint support or weight control, have also seen an increase in demand, including a growing awareness in Canada, which is aided by more boutique sequel pet brands and health-focused pet owners. The region has the infrastructure for cold storage and delivery, and frozen pet food is entering the marketplace.

Frozen & Freeze-Dried Pet Food Market Share

Major companies involved in the market include:

• Stella & Chewy's
• Bravo
• Stewart Brand Dog Food
• K9 Natural
• Steve's Real Food
• Wisconsin Freeze Dried
• Canature Processing Ltd.
• Vital Essentials
• Fresh Is Best
• Petfoods (Mars Petcare US, Inc.)
• Primal Pet Foods, LLC
• Champion
• Carnivora
  

To bolster their presence, companies are prioritizing innovation, transparency, and omnichannel expansion within the frozen and freeze-dried pet food sector. A primary strategy is versatility, producing clean-label, nutrient-dense solutions from ethically sourced premium ingredients. Companies are also doing research and development to offer targeted nutrition for varying breed types, as well as nutrition for varying age and health conditions, following the trend of personalized pet care.

Another strategy is to ramp up direct-to-consumer selling through their websites and e-commerce, which now allows brands to create customer loyalty with subscriptions and customized meals. Working with veterinarians and nutritionists adds credibility to brands, while working with retailers increases the possibility of in-store visibility. Companies are modernizing supply chain management and developing sustainable, environmentally responsible, energy-efficient cold storage to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

Frozen & Freeze-Dried Pet Food Industry News

• In June 2025, Full Moon Pet launched a new line of human-grade, air-dried dog food called Pure Protein. This minimally processed range was developed as a high-protein, shelf-stable alternative to traditional kibble, offering a safer option compared to freeze-dried and raw fresh pet foods.
  
• In March 2025, We Feed Raw launched its new Freeze-Dried Raw Food for Dogs, calling it a major step forward in making raw feeding more accessible to pet owners. This new product was designed to offer greater convenience while staying true to its core focus on delivering high nutritional value.