The pet probiotics market is experiencing robust growth as pet owners increasingly prioritize their companions' overall well-being. Probiotics, containing beneficial bacteria, offer a natural approach to supporting digestive health, immune function, and overall vitality in pets. Driven by rising consumer awareness of the gut-brain connection and the preventive benefits of probiotics, the market is witnessing a surge in demand for probiotic supplements, treats, and functional pet foods.
This expanding market is fueled by factors such as the increasing humanization of pets, the growing number of pet owners, and the inclination towards holistic pet care solutions. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape is evolving to accommodate the growing interest in pet probiotics, with a focus on product safety, efficacy, and labeling.
According to a DataM Intelligence study, the global Pet Probiotics Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% by 20301. Let's delve into the key trends shaping the future of the pet probiotics industry.
Poultry:
- Increased poultry consumption due to its lower fat content compared to beef and veal.
- The USFDA's ban on antibiotics in animal feed supplements, leading major players to focus on high-quality probiotics in chicken feed.
- According to OECD (2020), global poultry meat sales rose from 119,205.21 metric tonnes in 2018 to 120,884.63 metric tonnes in 2019.
- Rising consumer demand for animal-based foods, emphasis on animal health to prevent disease outbreaks, increasing meat consumption, preference for natural growth boosters, and favorable regulatory requirements are driving market expansion.
- The growing popularity of meat and meat-related foods is expected to create new opportunities for the poultry probiotics market during the 2021-2028 forecast period.
- Poor sanitation practices in poultry flocks often lead to pathogens like Salmonella enterica, E. coli, and Campylobacter jejuni.
- Concerns about antibiotic resistance are driving companies to explore natural alternatives, with lactic acid bacteria being a commonly used strain in chicken feed.
Cattle:
- Increasing awareness among cattle owners about the positive impacts of probiotics on animal performance. The strict regulatory stance against synthetic feed additives, known to have negative health effects on animals, has bolstered the growth of the probiotics market in the animal feed sector.
- The growing global population has led to increased demand for meat, resulting in a rise in cattle and poultry farms and a corresponding increase in demand for probiotics.
- According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, the number of cows and buffaloes worldwide increased from 93.62 million in 2017 to 94.29 million in 2018. The United States, with its significant livestock and meat production, produces the most animal feed in the region.
- Probiotics in cattle feed have shown positive effects on animal performance, digestion, and immunity, driving increased demand for these products in the animal feed probiotics industry.
- The rapid rise in the consumption of animal-derived products and its projected growth have led to new clean-label standards, influencing cattle owners to opt for natural feeds that enhance animal productivity.
- As consumers become more aware of livestock-related diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, concerns about meat quality and safety have led to the introduction of high-quality probiotics in animal feed.
Swine:
- The rising consumption of pork, which is driving demand for probiotics in the industry. Probiotics are beneficial for pigs, providing essential nutrients, improving product quality, and aiding digestion.
- Probiotics enhance nutrient absorption without interfering with the natural digestive enzymes in the swine's gut.
- Increasing consumer demand for animal proteins, especially pork, is expected to boost the demand for probiotics in swine. Additives like amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes have become popular as they enhance pigs' immunity and reduce disease-related deaths, driving market growth.
- Specific strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Enterococcus spp., and Pediococcus spp. are used in pig production due to their beneficial effects, including reducing the presence of pathogenic bacteria.
- Probiotics have been shown to improve feed intake in pigs at various stages. For instance, a Bifidobacterium probiotic was found to increase feed intake in salmonella-challenged pigs.
Aquaculture:
- Aquaculture's efficiency in converting feed into consumable protein. Research at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) labs and through the NOAA-USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative aims to reduce the use of fishmeal and fish oil in aquaculture feeds while preserving the health benefits of seafood for humans.
- Fish feed nutritionists need to consider around 40 vital elements, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids (the building blocks of protein), and certain lipids.
- On average, one metric tonne of farmed seafood requires half a metric tonne of wild whole fish. However, some species consume more fishmeal and/or fish oil than they produce in their final product form, resulting in lower fat levels compared to meats like beef and chicken.
- The expansion of aquaculture and rising demand for fish are driving the aqua feed industry. According to Canada's Blue Economy Strategy 2040, a collaboration between the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Organization Alliance and the Fisheries Council of Canada, global demand for seafood is expected to grow by 7–9% per year.
- In December 2019, Archer Daniel Midland Company launched a new animal nutrition innovation center, focusing on developing feed additives and probiotics for aquaculture.
Pet:
- The trend of pet humanization has gained significant attention worldwide, particularly in developed nations. The shift from pet ownership to pet parenting is a defining trend in the global pet food industry.
- Owners are increasingly seeking more than basic food for their pets, driving the demand for branded food products made with enhanced food additives that support pet growth at every life stage.
- Companies like Chr. Hansen have entered the market with a range of live probiotic supplements tailored for different life stages of pets: PET-PROSTART™ for puppies and kittens, PET-PROESSENTIALS™ for adult pets, and PET-PROVITAL™ for senior pets aged seven and above.
- Rising awareness among pet owners about the benefits of probiotics is fueling market growth. The EU has approved over 40 probiotic solutions for animal nutrition, with similar products available in the US as direct-fed microbial commodities.
- The European Union's ban on feed-grade antibiotic growth promoters due to concerns about cross-resistance and risks to food safety and public health has led feed manufacturers to introduce new forms of feed additives, such as probiotics, as alternatives to antibiotics.
Equine:
- According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), a total of 1,151,584 equine anemia (EIA) tests were performed in 2019, with 89 horses testing positive for the disease.
- Increased demand for herbal horse supplements, a rise in the prevalence of equine disorders, and government measures to improve equine health are projected to boost the equine probiotics market. Additionally, increased demand for equine feeds to enhance performance and new product launches by manufacturers are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
- In October 2018, Gliman Co-Op Creamery and Farmers/Ranchers Cooperative Association received a warning letter from the US FDA for the presence of monensin, an ionophoric antibiotic toxic to equines, in horse feed.
- For instance, Hagyard Pharmacy expanded their medication line for equine health by launching REVYVE, a pre- and probiotic to preserve gastrointestinal (GI) health, in December 2018. In June 2017, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC expanded their product portfolio for the gastrointestinal health of horses by launching a horse feed product line that included Outlast Gastric Support Supplement, Race Ready GT, and Ultium Gastric Care.
- Some probiotics are designed solely to aid digestion, while others, such as the Bacillus subtilis PB6 included in CLOSTAT® (a probiotic from Kemin Industries), help reduce harmful bacteria in the stomach.
