Pet Food Trends in 2025 Every Pet Parent Should Know

In 2025, pet food isn’t just about feeding — it’s about fueling health, reducing environmental impact, and delivering personalized nutrition for every pet.

The pet food industry is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of health-conscious pet parents. This year, fresh and sustainable options, alternative proteins, and personalized nutrition are redefining how we feed our pets. We read through many animal feed studies and pet food journals while also observing new technologies to predict pet food industry trends in 2025. 

Here are the top pet food trends shaping the future of pet nutrition

1. The Rise of Fresh Pet Food and Home-Cooked Diets

Studies have shown that minimally-processed diets can improve digestion and reduce the risk of chronic conditions in pets. Pet parents are turning to fresh and home-cooked meals for better control over ingredients and nutritional quality. These options cater to pets with allergies, picky eating habits, or specific health needs. 

If you’re considering fresh food for your pet, start by gradually transitioning from their current diet to prevent digestive upset. Look for brands that provide transparent ingredient sourcing and meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional standards. For balanced nutrition, supplement home-cooked diets with professionally formulated mixes and consult your veterinarian.

2. DIY Home-Cooked Diets

Home-cooked pet meals are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a desire for greater control over ingredients and preparation methods. This trend aligns with the rise of meal mix products that simplify the process of creating nutritionally complete homemade meals.

While home-cooking offers many benefits, it requires careful planning to ensure balanced nutrition. My Pet Grocer’s upcoming meal mixes are designed to address this challenge by providing pre-measured vitamins and minerals that take the guesswork out of meal preparation.

Start with a trusted meal mix product to ensure your home-cooked meals meet your pet’s nutritional needs. To learn how to transition your pet to home-cooked meals, read our 10-day diet transition.

3. Sustainability in Pet Food

As environmental concerns grow, sustainable pet food options are becoming increasingly important. Pet food brands are addressing these concerns by using eco-friendly packaging, ethically sourced ingredients, and even food byproducts that reduce waste. According to a study by the University of Edinburgh, pet food production contributes 106 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in annual emissions.

Pet owners can support sustainability by choosing brands with certifications like "B Corp" or "Certified Humane." Opt for products that use recyclable or compostable packaging and consider bulk buying or refillable options to minimize waste.

4. Personalized Pet Nutrition

One-size-fits-all diets are becoming obsolete as personalized pet nutrition takes center stage. New technologies allow pet food companies to create custom meal plans based on individual factors like the pet’s age, breed, or underlying health conditions.

According to an article published on Improve Veterinary Practice, custom pet diets are beneficial for early life growth, old age care, and avoiding breed-specific diseases. In 2025, many pet owners are learning these benefits and creating personalized diets for their pets.

If personalized nutrition appeals to you, start by gathering detailed information about your pet’s health and habits. Look for companies that involve veterinary professionals in their product development and provide third-party testing for safety and efficacy.

5. Functional Ingredients for Better Health

Functional ingredients, those that provide specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition, are becoming a staple in 2025 pet food formulations. These include probiotics for gut health, omega-3 fatty acids for a shiny coat, and glucosamine for joint support.

A 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine highlighted the benefits of probiotics in reducing digestive issues and enhancing immunity in pets. Similarly, omega-3 supplements have been linked to improved skin health and reduced inflammation.

Incorporate functional ingredients into your pet’s diet by selecting products that list these nutrients prominently. Be cautious with dosages; too much of certain supplements can be harmful. Regular veterinary check-ups can help tailor supplementation to your pet’s specific needs.

6. Alternative Proteins and Novel Diets

Alternative proteins have emerged as a key innovation in 2025, addressing both sustainability and food allergies in pets. Options like insect protein, plant-based alternatives, and lab-grown meat offer environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic solutions. According to a 2024  Future Market Insights analysis, the animal feed alternative protein market is set to grow by an 8.0% CAGR between 2024 and 2034.

Here are a few examples of alternative proteins you can expect to hear about in 2025:

• Insect Protein: High in essential amino acids and sustainable, black soldier fly larvae are becoming a popular ingredient.

• Plant-Based Options: Pea and lentil proteins cater to pets with sensitivities to animal proteins.

• Lab-Grown Meat: Though still in its infancy, cultured meat offers a cruelty-free and highly sustainable protein source.

Although some pet owners are skeptical about the benefits and long-term effects of some alternative proteins like lab-grown meat, others are willing to try these non-traditional options to support eco-friendly changes in the industry and help their allergic pets find a diet that works for them.

When exploring alternative protein products, prioritize brands that provide clear nutritional data and third-party quality testing. Monitor your pet’s reaction to new protein sources and consult your veterinarian to ensure dietary suitability.

7. Humanization and Subscription Delivery

The humanization of pet food continues to dominate in 2025. Pet owners increasingly view their pets as family members, driving demand for food that mirrors human dining experiences. This includes premium cuts of meat, gourmet recipes, and even packaging that resembles human food brands.

This trend is also fueling the growth of pet food subscription and delivery services, where fresh, frozen, and even pre-portioned meals are delivered directly to consumers’ doorsteps. Convenience, quality, and personalization make these services appealing to busy, health-conscious pet parents.

You can look at various subscription services to see if they are flexible enough to fit your pet’s dietary needs and your lifestyle. You can also compare their company’s transparency, ingredient quality, customization options, and pricing – including if there are trial offers to test compatibility with your pet’s preferences before committing longterm.

8. Pet Food Transparency

Pet owners are rightfully demanding clearer ingredient sourcing, manufacturing details, and nutritional information.

Innovative solutions like QR codes on packaging, and linking to sourcing and testing details, are becoming standard. This not only boosts customer trust for pet food companies, but also the overall transparency in the industry.

Choose brands that emphasize transparency and provide verifiable certifications. Avoid products with vague ingredient lists or marketing buzzwords like “natural” that lack clear definitions or standards.

9. Allergy-Friendly and Minimalist Diets

Minimalist pet food is gaining momentum as pet parents opt for clean labels with fewer, yet high-quality ingredients. This trend focuses on transparency and simplicity, offering diets free from artificial additives, fillers, or complex processing methods. Minimalist diets also resonate with those who prefer feeding their pets food that resembles a natural diet.

As awareness of pet allergies grows, so does the demand for allergy-friendly pet food. In 2025, more brands are developing hypoallergenic formulas free from common allergens such as chicken, beef, or grains. 

Pet owners are embracing options like single-protein diets or limited-ingredient formulas to address allergies or sensitivities.

Novel protein sources like kangaroo or duck, along with grain alternatives like quinoa or chickpeas, are increasingly featured in these diets. These specialized foods aim to alleviate symptoms like skin irritation or digestive upset.

If your pet shows signs of allergies, consult your veterinarian to identify triggers and find an appropriate diet.

10. Pet Food Innovations for Senior Pets

Senior pets require specialized diets to address age-related health challenges such as joint pain, cognitive decline, and reduced energy levels. In 2025, pet food companies are tailoring products specifically for aging pets by incorporating ingredients like glucosamine, MCT oil, and antioxidants.

For instance, studies published in the National Library of Medicine show that diets enriched with MCT oil may help improve cognitive function in senior dogs. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also widely used to support joint health, particularly in breeds prone to arthritis.

If your pet is entering their golden years, consider switching to a senior-specific formula. Look for products labeled for senior pets and discuss any dietary changes with your veterinarian to ensure compatibility with your pet’s health status.

11. The Debate on Raw Diets

Raw diets continue to polarize the pet community. Advocates claim benefits like shinier coats, better digestion, and increased energy, while critics warn of risks such as bacterial contamination and nutrient imbalances.

Recent studies suggest that while raw diets may work for some pets, they require meticulous planning to avoid health risks. Pet owners considering this option should consult a veterinarian and prioritize safe handling practices.

12. Educational Resources for Pet Owners

Finally, education plays a vital role in empowering pet owners to make informed decisions. Brands like My Pet Grocer are stepping up to provide accessible resources, from blog articles and videos to interactive tools that simplify home-cooking and diet planning.

Pet owners are increasingly skeptical of marketing claims and seek data-driven advice. By prioritizing consumer education over sales, pet food brands are building customer trust while ensuring the pets are getting the nutrition they deserve.

Use trustworthy resources to stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries and trends in the world of pet nutrition to ensure you’re giving your pet the best diet.

Conclusion

The pet food trends of 2025 reflect a growing movement toward healthier, more sustainable, and more personalized nutrition for pets. From fresh, minimally-processed meals to alternative proteins and functional ingredients, pet owners are becoming more discerning about the food they feed their pets, seeking options that support both their pets' health and the environment.

If you’d like to learn more about improving your pet’s nutrition in 2025, visit our blogs and resources for actionable nutritional insights for your pet.