The rise of plant-based pet care: what it means for brands and fulfilment

The shift towards plant-based living is no longer a niche movement. Across the UK, more people are rethinking what they consume, with growing numbers reducing or removing animal products from their diets altogether.

According to The Vegan Society, there are around 2 million vegans or those following plant-based diets in Great Britain (3% of the population), while a further 10% of the population is actively cutting back on animal products.

And it’s not just people who are changing lifestyle. There has been a focus on pet health and well-being – organic foods, natural ingredients, supplements – with a definite leaning towards meat-free alternatives.

This is reflected in the growth of the plant-based pet food market in the UK, expected to grow 10% year on year to reach £2,200.4m ($2,945.6m) by 2035, alongside rising demand for alternative protein pet food UK brands that align with changing consumer values.

Plant-based pet food = a smaller carbon foot (paw) print

While the reasons for people embracing a plant-based diet are varied, when it comes to pets and the growth of the sector, the biggest driver is sustainability. Because of the growing awareness of climate change, more consumers are paying attention to the negative impact that their consumption – and that of their pets – is having on the environment.

To put that into perspective, dogs and cats eat nearly 9% of the world’s livestock and dry dog food production accounts for up to 3% of global agricultural emissions. Or, imagine that feeding a 20kg dog on a beef-based diet for 9 years would need the same area as 57 football fields.

Vegan dog food uses less water and less land during production (1.4 fields) and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional dog food.

Vegan pet food replaces traditional animal proteins (e.g. meat and fish) with protein-rich plants and ingredients such as grains, lentils, rice, blueberries, carrots, peanuts and pumpkin. Fortification with vitamins and minerals claims that the micronutrient needs of animals are met.

For brands operating in this space, sustainable pet food delivery is becoming just as important as the product itself.

Meeting changing needs in pet care

As the category evolves, so do customer expectations.

Today’s pet owners are looking for more than just quality products. They want convenience, transparency and a seamless experience – whether that’s through subscription services, fast delivery or sustainable packaging.

For pet care brands, particularly those positioned around organic or environmentally conscious values, eco pet supplies fulfilment plays a critical role in delivering on that promise.

Why Fullers for your pet care brand

Fullers Fulfilment provides an end-to-end fulfilment solution to help your pet care brand – especially if you’re an organic brand (thanks to our Soil Association certification) or a pet care company with sustainability goals.

• Orders are automatically picked by our diligent team of animal lovers, same day for next day delivery
• Links with the most trusted couriers get you the best delivery rates to pets in destinations worldwide
• Bespoke packaging options, including sustainable materials
• Experience in working with organic brands
• Subscription fulfilment for pet care brands, including plant-based pet treats ecommerce and personalised delivery options
• Full system integration to give you real-time stock visibility and crucial business insights
• Ambient storage, stringent quality control and careful stock/batch rotation
• Returns processing

What’s next

The shift towards plant-based living is no longer limited to supermarket shelves. It’s shaping how people care for their pets, the products they choose, and the expectations they place on the brands behind them.

For pet care companies, that means more than simply developing the right products. It’s about delivering them in a way that reflects the same values – from sourcing and packaging through to fulfilment and sustainable pet food delivery.

As the market continues to evolve, having a fulfilment partner that understands both the operational demands and the principles behind your brand will be key to staying competitive.

Back to News