Global Pet Toy Market Analysis: Highest Demand for Ball-shaped Toys, Rubber Toys Hold the Largest Share

With the booming global pet market, pet toys, as a crucial part of this market, have become increasingly important. However, how to effectively export pet toys made in China to overseas markets remains a major challenge for domestic enterprises. Recently, Dadu Cross-border released the "2024 Pet Toy Export Research Report," analyzing the current state of the pet toy market, development trends, and the challenges and opportunities this category may face in the process of going overseas.

Note: Pet toys are entertainment and educational products specifically designed for pets, aimed at fulfilling their play needs, promoting physical exercise, providing mental stimulation, and enhancing interaction between pets and their owners. These toys can range from simple chew items, balls, and plush toys to more complex puzzle toys or interactive toys with sound and movement features.

1. Global Pet Toy Market Size Reached $9 Billion Last Year with a CAGR of Over 6.5%

According to Google Trends data, global search interest for pet toys has remained high throughout 2024, fluctuating between 80 and 100, consistently ranking as one of the most searched topics. This trend has attracted widespread attention not only among users in countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, but its influence has also extended globally. As the pet market continues to expand, the pet toy sector is experiencing a new wave of growth. In 2023, the global pet toy market size reached $9 billion, and with the ongoing prosperity of the pet economy, it is expected that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%, reaching $15 billion by 2032.

The high growth rate of pet toys is directly linked to the penetration rate of pet ownership. According to statistics, more than half of households own at least one pet. Pet ownership is particularly prominent in Europe and North America, while although the pet penetration rate is relatively lower in Asia, it is still steadily increasing. In 2023, the pet household penetration rate in China was only 22%, compared to 67% in the United States.

The pet toy market has now entered a period of prosperity, with numerous domestic and international brands entering the market, offering a wide range of pet toys. Their business revenue has been continuously rising globally. The North American market leads the market with its strong purchasing power. Following closely is the Asia-Pacific region, which has reached a 30% market share and is experiencing rapid growth. The European market also has a large pet toy market size, holding a steady 18% market share, ranking third.

2.Dog Toys Dominate the Market Globally, the demand for spherical toys is the highest, and rubber toys have the largest share. In terms of pet categories, cats, dogs, and birds together account for approximately 94% of the global pet market. Dogs, being the most popular pet, make up 51% of the pet toy market share, followed by cat toys. This indicates that the pet toy market is largely driven by pet species preferences.

In terms of toy categories, the current pet toys on the market fulfill various functions such as dental care, mental stimulation, physical exercise, emotional satisfaction, hunting instinct activation, environmental enrichment, and visual and auditory stimulation, all of which contribute to the holistic development of pets. These toys not only enrich pets' lives but also strengthen the interaction and bond between pets and their owners. Among these toys, toy balls dominate the pet toy market, with demand expected to continue growing from 2023 to 2032. By 2032, the market size for toy balls is projected to reach approximately $7 billion. Rope and tug toys, as well as interactive toys, are also expected to see significant growth, with their market share likely to triple by 2032 compared to current levels.

As the pet toy market continues to expand, the growth potential for these product types is immense, particularly for toy balls, whose market leadership is expected to be further solidified over the next decade. It is noteworthy that among all the materials used for pet toys, rubber has become the material of choice due to its high durability and chew resistance, accounting for 41% of the market share. In particular, there is growing demand for safe thermoplastic rubber and silicone, which is expected to continue rising in the coming years. Following these are nylon products, which offer both strength and elasticity, and soft, safe cotton products.

3.Teething and training toys are the mainstream in the dog toy market, while catnip, feathers, and rodent-shaped toys dominate the cat toy market. According to reports, sales data from various subcategories of dog toys on Amazon show that teething and interactive training toys remain the most popular, with chew toys and noise-making toys accounting for nearly half of the total sales. In terms of product listings, noise-making and chew toys still perform well, but the number of new products being listed is relatively low. On the other hand, there is a higher number of new listings for plush toys, flying discs, and ball launchers, though these products are highly concentrated in a few brands, leading to significant market dominance.

咀嚼类玩具市场需求在2022年实现销量翻倍后，一直稳定地处在较高的需求量，其销售量在2023年7月再次突破60万大关，未来将保持持续稳定的增长。同时，发声玩具销售数据也较为亮眼，亚马逊上此类的产品高达5000多个，常年销量保持在50万左右，市场需求和流量大。

The market demand for chew toys doubled in 2022 and has since remained at a consistently high level. Sales volume surpassed 600,000 units again in July 2023, and this segment is expected to continue growing steadily in the future. At the same time, noise-making toys have also seen impressive sales figures, with over 5,000 products listed on Amazon. These toys maintain annual sales of around 500,000 units, reflecting strong market demand and high traffic.

In the cat toy market, recent sales data over the past 30 days shows that the brand concentration is lower than that of dog toys. However, there is significant market dominance in the categories of interactive toys and plush toys. Catnip toys, rodent-shaped toys, and feather toys are the top three highest-selling types, with each category listing over 1,000 products. The total monthly sales for these categories can exceed 600,000 units, with catnip toys contributing 44% of the sales. Chinese sellers dominate the sales market for these types of toys.

On Amazon, there are nearly 2,000 catnip toys, with a high number of new listings. These toys come in a wide variety of styles and combinations, such as catnip mice, tunnels, and scratching boards. Additionally, smart companion toys are a key area to watch for product selection. Play tunnels, which combine toy and furniture functions, offer considerable premium potential due to their multifunctionality. The price range for different products varies significantly, with more complex, multifunctional tunnel toys commanding higher prices. Reports suggest that the brand concentration for these products is relatively low, allowing smaller sellers to innovate in functionality and capture market share.

4.North America and Asia-Pacific Lead the Pet Toy Market By region, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe lead the global pet toy market. North America holds the largest market share at 32.5%, with a market size of $3.1 billion. Asia-Pacific follows closely with 30.0% of the market share, driven by economic growth and rising incomes, especially in emerging markets, where demand for pet toys is growing rapidly.

n the North American market, the United States is the largest consumer of pet toys, with 70% of American households owning pets. Pet toys are an essential part of pets' daily lives, offering significant market potential. The UK, a major pet-owning country in Europe, has seen rapid development in its pet toy market, with increasing demand.

In Asia, China, Japan, and South Korea are key players, while Southeast Asia shows huge market potential. With ongoing economic growth and the rise of pet culture, the pet toy market in this region is expected to experience rapid development.

5.Pet Toy Sales: Physical Stores vs. Online Physical stores dominate pet toy sales, but online sales are growing the fastest. According to reports, pet toys sold through supermarkets led the industry in 2023, accounting for the largest revenue share. This can be attributed to specialized pet stores that have heavily invested in enhancing the consumer shopping experience, integrating technologies like AI to attract customers. These stores offer a wide range of brands and products, providing pet owners with a convenient one-stop shopping experience for all their pet needs.

From 2024 to 2030, pet toys sold through online channels are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.7%. The convenience of shopping from home allows pet owners to browse and purchase a wide variety of toys at any time. Online platforms often provide detailed product descriptions, reviews, and ratings, helping consumers make informed decisions. Moreover, the rise of social media and influencer marketing has increased awareness and demand for trendy and innovative pet toys.

6.Four Major Trends in Pet Toy Development The report highlights four key trends for the future of pet toys: customization, eco-friendliness, anthropomorphism, and smart technology. Here's a closer look:

1. Customization: Customized pet toys are gaining popularity, designed to meet the specific needs of pets based on breed, age, size, and preferences. These toys are visually appealing and have a unique appeal, making them a niche but profitable segment in the market.
2. Eco-friendliness: Pet owners are increasingly concerned about the safety of toys, especially those that pets often chew or bite. There is growing demand for products made from natural, non-toxic materials. The market for eco-friendly, sustainable products is strong, with these toys often commanding higher price points and offering good profit margins.
3. Anthropomorphism: As pets are increasingly viewed as family members, there is a rising demand for toys that reflect human-like qualities. This trend is driving the development of toys that mimic human interaction and engage pets in more emotionally fulfilling ways.
4. Smart Technology: The integration of smart technology into pet toys is on the rise. These toys often feature interactive elements, such as automated movement or sound, and can be controlled via apps or sensors, adding a layer of convenience and engagement for both pets and owners.

Note: Due to the limited length of this article, if you would like the full version of the "2024 Pet Toy Overseas Expansion Research Report," you can forward this article to your social media, take a screenshot, and send it to the author.