Japan Pet Food Market

Japan Pet Food Market Size Report – In a Glance

As per the survey report on Japan pet food market, the market is expected to foresee a CAGR value of 4.3% during 2025-2035, and further generate a market size of USD 8.7 billion by the end of 2035. In 2025, the market size was value at USD 5.8 billion revenue.

• The Japan pet food market’s growth is driven by changing lifestyle and growing domestication of animals.
• KDMI analyst’s growth analysis foresees rising pet ownership as the growth driver for Japan pet food market.

Japan Pet Food Market Analysis

Pet foods are specially formulated food products for domestic animals like dogs and cats. The production of pet food products is based on the required nutritional value and the food products generally consists of meat, meat byproducts, cereals, grains, vitamins, and minerals. The market growth is driven by changing lifestyle and growing animal domestication in the country. Due to growing aging population in the country, the ownership of dogs and cats are rapidly increasing for companionship. As per the survey report conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association, the ownership rates of cats and dogs were 9.6% and 10.2%, respectively, in the year 2024, which shows the growing demand for pet foods market in the country. Nestle Purina, Total Alimentos, and WellPet LLC are some of the significant companies in the Japan pet foods market.

Japan Pet Food Market Growth Drivers and Restraints

Growth Drivers

• Rising pet ownership – Rising pet ownership in the country is significantly driving the market growth of Japan pet food. The rising ownership rates is due to changing lifestyle and maintaining cultural vales of domesticating animals. According to the reports, total 7 million dogs and 9 million cats were domesticated in Japanese homes, with the growing need for emotional support and companionship among elders and single-person in urban areas. The trend of domesticating animals has resulted into high-quality pet care, with pet owners focusing on pet health and diet. The humanization of pets, people treating pets as their family members has emphasized manufacturers to produce premium and high-quality pet food products which delivers complete nutrition to pets. Rapid urbanization has increased demand for pet care products and food, which contributes to the growth of Japan pet food market.
• E-commerce growth – The rapid expansion of e-commerce industry in country has increased the demand for pet food products leading to the growth of Japan pet food market. The adoption of latest technology in e-commerce industry has enables pet owners to access wide range of pet food products with huge variety options available. The purchasing power of pet owners from e-commerce platforms enables seamless delivery of pet food products at their doorsteps without requiring pet owners to visit physical stores. Also, advancement in e-commerce creates a market for small and niche brands to reach targeted consumers and earn profit, leading to the growth of Japan pet food market.

Restraints

• Strict regulatory standards – Strict regulatory standards challenge the Japan pet food market growth. The Japanese government imposes stricter guidelines to be followed by manufacturers in producing pet food with the compliance of pet food safety guidelines. Compliance like testing, record-keeping, and adherence to maximum limits of using certain raw materials poses as challenge for manufacturers to meet these regulatory standards. These standards require potential investment from manufacturers, which small and medium-sized enterprises might not consider due to low-budget capacity. The high cost and stricter regulations restraints the Japan pet food market growth.

Japan Pet Food Market Segmentation

Our experts at KD Market Insights have segmented the Japan pet food market research report as:

Analyst’s Observation on Japan Pet Food Market Recent Developments

Over the years, the experts at KD Market Insights have been observing the recent developments associated with Japan pet food market trends. Our expert’s market forecast analysis has recorded the market players adopting plentiful of key strategies including new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and collaborations.

Toppan Holdings has acquired Sonoco Products Company’s Thermoformed & Flexible Packaging (TFB) business for USD 1.8 billion for sectors like food, retail, and healthcare. With the serving categories such as snacks, condiments, prepared meals, and pet food. The acquisition is subject to increase packaging efficiency and providing protection against damage to food products.

Maruha Nichiro Corporation has introduced to launch frozen pet food sector with a new product from domestic subsidiary AIXIA Corporation. The move is to expand market reach for pet food and related products.

Japan Pet Food Market Competitive Landscape

Some of the significant participants who top the Japan pet food market share:

• Mars, Incorporated 
• Nestle S.A.
• Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Unicharm Corporation
• Heristo Aktiengesellschaft
• United Petfood
• Cheyenne Dog Food Company
• Wellness Pet Company, Inc.
• Working Dog Food Co