GCC Cat Food Market Analysis: Industry Overview, Key Players & Growth Outlook

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, the GCC cat food market size reached USD 124.0 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 202.0 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.60% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of GCC Cat Food Market

• Personalized Nutrition Formulation: AI platforms analyse individual cat data — breed, age, weight, and health history — to generate custom diet plans, helping GCC brands move beyond generic formulas and meet rising owner demand for precision nutrition.

• Smart Feeding & Portion Control: AI-powered feeders with facial recognition, such as those from PETKIT and CATLINK, identify individual cats in multi-pet households, dispense precise portions, and flag irregular eating patterns for early health intervention.

• Predictive Health & Supply Chain Analytics: Machine learning monitors consumption trends to forecast demand shifts, helping GCC distributors optimise inventory, cut waste, and keep premium products consistently stocked across retail and e-commerce channels.

• AI-Driven Product Development: Brands like Farmina Pet Foods deploy AI chatbots and data models to simulate ingredient impacts on taste and nutrition, shortening development cycles and enabling faster launch of functional, health-focused cat food SKUs.

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GCC Cat Food Market Trends & Drivers

The pet humanisation trend is the single most powerful force reshaping GCC cat food spending. As cats transition from household companions to genuine family members, owners across the UAE and Saudi Arabia are trading up from economy-priced or home-prepared meals to branded, nutritionally formulated products. In the UAE alone, 1.5 million pet owners collectively keep over 2 million pets — cats outnumber dogs two to one — and cat food already represented 48.8% of total pet food retail value in the most recent comparable data period. Saudi Arabia's average household monthly disposable income reached SAR 11,839, giving urban families the means to spend on premium dry food, grain-free formulas, and functional treat ranges.

E-commerce is fundamentally changing how GCC consumers discover and purchase cat food. Online platforms now offer subscription delivery, veterinarian-curated product bundles, and BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) payment options that make premium ranges accessible to a wider buyer base. In February 2025, Saudi-based digital platform Wave4Pet launched on-demand, comprehensive online pet care services, reflecting the growing appetite for convenience-driven pet retail. The GCC pet food e-commerce market reports user penetration reaching 13.5% currently, with average revenue per user of USD 56.01 — numbers that underline the shift from occasional online purchases to habitual digital buying.

Regulatory momentum and rising health consciousness among pet owners are elevating quality standards across the GCC cat food market. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has tightened labelling, safety, and ingredient standards, pushing both local producers and importers to meet transparent nutritional benchmarks. In August 2024, a government inspection campaign rescued 130 pets from unlicensed facilities and seized expired products — signalling enforcement seriousness that ultimately strengthens consumer trust in regulated brands. At the same time, 75% of pet owners now prioritise regular veterinary check-ups, creating upstream demand for clinically recommended, health-functional cat foods. Functional formulas addressing urinary health, weight management, immunity, and senior cat nutrition are gaining shelf space as owners seek preventive dietary solutions.

GCC Cat Food Market Industry Segmentation

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

Product Type

• Dry Food

• Wet and Canned Food

• Snacks and Treats

Ingredient Type

• Animal Derivatives

• Plant Derivatives

• Cereals Derivatives

• Others

Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

• Convenience Stores

• Online Stores

• Others

Country

• UAE

• Saudi Arabia

• Kuwait

• Qatar

• Oman

• Bahrain

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.

Recent News and Developments in GCC Cat Food Market

• August 2024: Saudi Aramco launched Olfa Animal Care Company, a non-profit focused on stray animal management, mobile veterinary clinics, and responsible ownership campaigns — opening its first shelter in Dammam in 2025 and directly expanding the registered cat-owning population that drives branded cat food demand.
• September 2024: Tree Digital Insurance Agency introduced Saudi Arabia's first licensed pet insurance product, covering veterinary care, surgeries, and medications for cats and dogs. The move signalled institutional confidence in the pet care sector's maturity and further normalised high-spend pet ownership behaviours among Saudi consumers.
• October 2024: The third Saudi Pet & Vet Expo was held in Riyadh, featuring 120+ exhibitors from 16 countries. Endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the event showcased innovations across pet food, veterinary care, and animal welfare — reinforcing the GCC's growing commercial ecosystem for cat nutrition brands.

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