The global pet-care industry is in the midst of a thrilling transformation. What once was a predictable market of food, treats, and basic supplies has grown into a dynamic ecosystem of technology, nutrition science, preventive care, and sustainability solutions — all propelled by rising pet ownership and expanding consumer expectations.

Industry forecasts illustrate that pet care isn’t just growing — it’s accelerating. The market is projected to reach a staggering $300 billion globally by 2030, drawing from patterns in consumer behavior, premiumization trends, and rapid tech adoption. 

Increasing disposable income and increasing pet adoption are fueling market expansion, especially in emerging markets. As more households welcome pets, the demand for premium pet products and services continues to rise.

The global market for pet technology and pet food is also expanding rapidly: the global pet tech market is expected to grow from $19.1 billion in 2026 to $52.9 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 12%. Meanwhile, innovations in the global pet food market are fueling projected growth at a CAGR of 4.7% through 2030.

A key driver fueling this expansion is pet humanization. Increasingly, pet parents treat their animals as full members of the household, aligning their caregiving expectations with those they have for human family members. Most households now have at least one pet, which drives rising demand for innovative products and services.

he humanization of pets is also driving consumer spending on luxury pet products and services. This shift has a powerful effect on what buyers are willing to invest in — from advanced nutrition to wellness tracking, prevention, and digital health management.

These broader forces aren’t just moving the needle — they’re shaking up entire categories. In a crowded market, pet brands must find ways to reach a global audience to stand out and capture the attention of pet parents worldwide. In this post, we’ll unpack the major forces reshaping pet care through pet health and wellness, insurance and preventive care, sustainable products, nutrition innovation, and emerging trends driving industry growth in 2026.

dog with wearable demonstrating pet industry trend

Pet Health and Wellness

Pet Health Technology: A Data-Driven Care Revolution

Smart pet technology has exploded beyond playful gadgets into serious health care tools that elevate wellness outcomes and business opportunities alike. Technological advancements such as AI, IoT, and data analytics are transforming pet health monitoring, enabling automated tasks, personalized insights, and improved pet ownership experiences.

At the famed Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), pet tech was more prominent than ever — not because it’s cute, but because it’s meaningful. Leading innovators showcased products that blend data, automation, and predictive care into everyday pet routines.

Pet wearables, such as smart collars and activity trackers, now play a central role in 24/7 health tracking, sharing data with veterinarians, and supporting early detection of health issues. The PetPace Health Collar, for example, provides continuous monitoring and data sharing, while the PetPace Health 2.0 collar tracks vital signs like heart rate, respiration, and temperature to detect diseases early.

AI-powered devices now include:

  • Smart toys and GPS trackers that enhance pet safety through interactive engagement and virtual fencing.

  • Pet tracking devices with location tracking features, such as GPS-enabled collars, for real-time monitoring and improved safety.

  • Predictive wearables like the Satellai Collar Go, which use 'Petsense AI' to detect micro-shifts in behavior, indicating potential health issues.

These devices monitor vital signs such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns, enabling early detection and intervention. Data-driven care now delivers actionable health insights, allowing for personalized and preventive healthcare recommendations. Remote monitoring platforms connect wearable devices with veterinary professionals for continuous health tracking and early intervention.

The pet wearables segment accounted for a significant market share of 45.3% in 2025, driven by the adoption of smart collars and advanced health monitoring devices.

Breakthroughs in AI-powered smart devices for pets

Several breakthrough products unveiled in 2026 spotlight how AI and smart sensors are reshaping care:

  1. AI-enabled automated wet food feeders that track consumption behavior and sanitize leftover food — helping brands and clinicians better understand feeding habits.

  2. Intelligent water fountains with cameras and analytics to monitor individual drinking routines to flag early signs of urinary or kidney issues.

  3. Interactive toys that use technology to engage pets, monitor their activity, and enhance safety, providing both entertainment and valuable behavioral data.

  4. Integrated ecosystems of devices that combine hydration, feeding, litter box data, and even track sleep patterns as part of a continuous health snapshot for each pet.

  5. The Litter-Robot, a Wi-Fi-connected, self-cleaning litter box, automatically clears waste and provides real-time updates to owners.

  6. Smart home technology is being adapted for pet safety and enrichment, with products like the WoofWoof Lux robotic dog washing machine offering automated, stress-free cleaning for pets.

These innovations signal a critical trend: Technology is preventive care. Through real-time data collection and insight tools, owners can detect subtle changes long before acute health issues arise.

From a business perspective, this opens a range of new value streams: subscription analytics dashboards, AI-driven wellness alerts, and tiered service offerings tied to ongoing health insights.

litter robot pet tech for cats and pet owners

Wearables & Predictive Monitoring

Beyond feeding and hydration, wearables are becoming real vet partners. Advanced collars and sensors now track activity, sleep cycles, and wellness metrics — making it easier to anticipate joint problems, lethargy, or stress responses before they develop into costly medical events. Even niche innovations like collars offering GPS and virtual fencing capabilities are gaining traction, showcasing how closely tech and safety intertwine in modern offerings.

Early Disease Detection & Preventive Care

At the heart of these technologies is a focus on prevention. By combining sensor data with machine learning, pet tech products are now capable of:

  • Notifying owners when behavior deviates from the norm.

  • Providing early warning signals to veterinarians.

  • Supporting remote monitoring for multi-pet households.

For pet retailers and tech service companies, this trend represents a shift toward care-as-a-service models, where data and managed outcomes become core parts of the value proposition.

Pet Insurance and Preventive Healthcare

As pet health technology becomes more advanced, it naturally interlocks with another rapidly growing area of pet care: insurance and preventive health coverage. Many providers now offer specialized insurance plans for senior pets, addressing their unique health needs and making it easier for owners to manage healthcare costs.

Pet insurance not only makes care more affordable, allowing more clients to comply with the best treatment options, but it also leads to higher patient revenue per visit as more clients can access valuable treatments that are not strictly necessary. Additionally, the demand for luxury pet services is rising as pet parents seek to ensure their animals live comfortable, enjoyable lives.

Growing Demand for Preventive Care Plans

Pet insurance is not new, but its market penetration and coverage ambitions have broadened significantly. Today’s pet parents are more willing than ever to invest in comprehensive plans that include preventive screenings, spay and neuter, early disease detection tests, dental care, and annual wellness checkups.

Search data trends reflect this demand: terms like “accident-only pet insurance” have seen massive year-over-year increases — signaling that consumers are actively researching both budget-friendly and comprehensive coverage solutions.

From a business perspective, this translates into fertile ground for:

  • Insurance integrations with wellness tech tools, combining real-time wearable data with coverage incentives.

  • Tiered subscription “services + insurance” bundles,  where software tools, telehealth access, and discounted clinic visits co-exist under a unified offering.

Holistic Preventive Strategies

Preventive care isn’t limited to insurance. It encompasses:

  • Regular veterinary screenings.

  • Dental health monitoring.

  • Personalized nutrition plans.

  • Behavioral and environmental enrichment.

For pet-care professionals, framing your services around preventive outcomes rather than reactive treatments encourages lifetime customer value and supports healthier long-term pet outcomes.

dog with gps tracker collar and associated smartphone app

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Products

Environmental consciousness is no longer a niche trend — it’s a baseline expectation for modern consumers. Environmentally conscious consumers are driving demand for sustainable pet products, with 73% of pet parents willing to pay an average premium of 33% for products that demonstrate environmental responsibility.

Across pet products, sustainability is reshaping everything from packaging choices to raw material selection and production processes. Environmental awareness is fueling the demand for eco-friendly product development, sustainable packaging, and biodegradable options, while consumers increasingly look for labels that show companies are dedicated to sustainability, ethics, and protecting the environment.

Environmental stewardship is also becoming central, as brands adopt sustainable practices in operations—such as water conservation, eco-friendly transportation, and waste reduction—and use sustainability marketing to appeal to eco-conscious customers. Sustainable packaging and manufacturing processes create competitive advantages and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers willing to pay premium prices for responsible products. Biodegradable and compostable pet products, including waste bags, litter, and toys, represent growing opportunities as environmental awareness increases among pet parents.

Animal lovers today care deeply about the performance and quality of a product, but also about its impact on the world their pets live in. Brands are responding with innovative solutions like biodegradable poop bags, recyclable pet food packaging, and plant-based pet food options.

Health-focused products are also on the rise, supporting both pet wellness and environmental goals, with new offerings emphasizing immune support as a key feature for long-term health. The market for personalized and decorative pet supplies for animal companions—such as custom pet beds and accessories—continues to grow, reflecting consumer demand for both customization and sustainability.

Eco-Focused Innovation in Action

Innovative sustainable products include:

  • Biodegradable toys and accessories.

  • Beds and bedding made from recycled or organic materials.

  • Low-waste grooming and personal care products.

In 2025 and beyond, industry research suggests that pet product categories emphasizing eco-friendly design and ethical sourcing outperform less conscientious options,  a reflection of shifting consumer priorities.

Food Packaging and Sourcing

Sustainability isn’t limited to physical goods. Pet food innovators are responding to pressure for:

  • Recyclable or compostable packaging.

  • Ethically sourced proteins.

  • Reductions in carbon and water footprints.

This trend goes hand-in-hand with premiumization; sophisticated consumers simply expect the products they buy to align with their values.

For brands and retailers, this means:

  • Communicating sustainability transparently with certifications.

  • Partnering with eco-certified suppliers.

  • Offering recycling incentives for product packaging returns.

dog getting a bath outside in nature

Pet Food and Nutrition

Nutrition remains one of the most dynamic sectors within pet care, with innovations that echo trends in human food and wellness. Pet food sales have surged thanks to the rise of e-commerce and subscription services, making a wider variety of products more accessible to pet parentss. The global pet food market has experienced significant growth, with projections indicating continued expansion as owners seek premium, sustainable, and health-oriented products.

Pet parents are increasingly seeking tailored nutrition plans that address specific health concerns, such as allergies, weight management, or joint health. Personalized meal plans now often consider a pet's age, breed, and dietary needs to create customized solutions.

Microbiome testing is also enabling the development of customized pet diets based on unique gut bacterial strains, supporting gut health and overall wellness. Subscription-based personalized nutrition services offer customized meal plans that factor in a pet's age, breed, size, and specific dietary requirements, reflecting the growing demand for individualized pet care.

Personalized and Functional Options

Consumers increasingly treat pet meals the way they treat their own dietary choices, with an eye toward health, traceability, and customization.

Search trends for human-grade dog food and freeze-dried raw diets have skyrocketed, with exponential year-over-year interest spikes indicating a strong consumer pull toward high-quality nutrition.

The rise of premium nutrition isn’t just about taste — it’s about:

  • Functional benefits (gut health, joint support, energy management).

  • Ethical protein choices.

  • Transparency in ingredient sourcing.

One notable example: a premium cat food company recently raised significant growth capital to expand its human-quality meat formulation model — signaling broader market enthusiasm for scientifically formulated, better-for-you pet meals.

Alternative Proteins & Functional Ingredients

Beyond traditional meat proteins, some pet-food companies are exploring:

  • Insect protein and novel sustainable sources.

  • Collagen and supplement blends for joint and digestive health.

  • Hyper-personalized diets shaped by biometric or microbiome data (future-forward trend in 2026).

For product innovators, this is fertile ground for premium positioning, brand differentiation, and even bespoke subscription offerings.

Emerging Trends Shaping Pet Care

Looking ahead, a few pervasive trends are poised to reshape how products and services get built and how businesses can capture value. Key trends such as technological innovation, sustainability, and the humanization of pets are driving significant changes in the pet industry. Innovative products are fueling market growth and accelerating consumer adoption, as pet parents seek out the latest advancements in pet-care technology.

1. AI & Machine Learning Everywhere

Artificial intelligence isn’t just embedded in devices, it’s becoming foundational to pet health algorithms, personalized recommendations, and predictive care signals.

Smart health alerts, facial recognition for multi-pet homes, and predictive behavior analytics are emerging mainstream features that savvy brands are integrating to elevate their offerings.

2. The Digital Marketplace Explosion

E-commerce, direct-to-consumer relationships, and omnichannel retail strategies continue to surge as more consumers seek convenience, subscription models, and tailored online experiences.

3. Humanization & Premiumization

Pets are more than companions — they’re family members. This humanization drives owners to invest significantly in wellbeing, safety, novelty, and emotional enrichment products.

Whether that’s advanced wearable collars, AI-driven personalized diets, or platforms that connect owners with veterinary data and care insights, the underlying driver remains the same: pets matter deeply to their humans, and those humans will spend accordingly.

Rising rates of pet adoption, particularly among Millennials and Generation Z, are further boosting demand for pet tech products, health monitoring devices, and premium services. Treating pets as family members is influencing product development, marketing, and branding strategies, as businesses strive to enhance the pet owner experience.

pet parent syncing smart watch with pet tech

Innovate or Be Left Behind

The pet-care industry in 2026 isn’t just growing, it’s diversifying, digitizing, and becoming more intelligent. From smart health tech to sustainable products and premium nutrition, today’s pet brands and retailers face both challenge and opportunity.

The winners in this new era will be the businesses that not only adapt to consumer expectations but actively anticipate them by investing in technology, leveraging actionable data, and designing products and services that truly improve pet health outcomes.

Ready to elevate your offering with real-time pet insights and analytics? Book a free trial of Revelation Pets  to transform how you manage pet information, customer engagement, and loyalty across your portfolio — all with one powerful platform designed for the modern pet-care ecosystem.