The Pet Care Industry in 2025: Shifting Trends, Wellness Focus, and Merger Dynamics

# Pet Care Industry: Current State Analysis (May 2025) The pet care industry continues to show robust growth in mid-2025, with several notable developments shaping the market landscape. Recent data from NielsenIQ presented at Global Pet Expo 2025 reveals interesting shifts in regional contributions to global pet care growth. Europe has emerged as the primary growth driver, contributing 52% to global expansion, while North America follows at 33%[2]. Cat ownership is experiencing significant momentum worldwide, with more than one in four households now including feline companions[2]. This trend aligns with the broader increase in pet ownership among Generation Z consumers, who increasingly maintain diverse pet households with multiple animal types. Health and wellness remain central concerns for pet owners in 2025. A recent survey found that 69% of pet parents are considering a health reset for their animals this year, nearly matching the 77% planning similar initiatives for themselves[4]. This focus on health comes amid financial concerns, as only 49% of pet owners report being financially prepared for pet medical emergencies, a decline from 59% in the previous year[4]. The industry has seen a noticeable slowdown in new pet acquisitions, with only 27% of current pet owners interested in adding a new pet in 2025, compared to 66% in 2024[4]. This decline may be attributed to the financial burden of unexpected pet health issues, which cost owners an average of $560.80 per incident last year[4]. The pet industry's mergers and acquisitions activity is anticipated to surge throughout 2025, driven by improved market conditions and an increased availability of high-quality businesses for sale[5]. Recent notable acquisitions include United Petfood's expansion into the U.S. market through the purchase of a Wellness Pet facility in Indiana, and The Nutriment Company's acquisition of UK-based raw pet food processor Natural Instinct[5]. As the Global Pet Expo and Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West events approach in the coming weeks, industry professionals are expected to gain further insights into evolving market trends and consumer preferences[3]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.