Research Methodology – Cat Food Market
At Straits Research, we adopt a rigorous 360° research approach that integrates both primary and secondary research methodologies. This ensures accuracy, reliability, and actionable insights for stakeholders. Our methodology for the Cat Food Market comprises the following key stages:
Market Indicator & Macro-Factor Analysis
Our baseline thesis for the Cat Food Market is developed by integrating key market indicators and macroeconomic variables. These include:
Factors considered while calculating market size and share
- Number of cat owners in the market.
- Annual spending on cat food per household.
- Different types of cat food (dry, wet, organic, etc.) and their separate market sizes.
- Sales volume and value data from cat food companies.
- Geographical distribution and demographics of cat owners.
- Market penetration of different brands.
- Changes in spending habits on cat food over time.
Key Market Indicators
- Growth rate of the cat population.
- Change in average spending on cat food.
- Market share of leading cat food brands.
- Global and regional sales data on cat food.
- Consumer purchasing habits and preferences in cat food.
- Income and expenditure statistics related to pet spending.
Growth Trends
- Increase in organic, grain free, and high protein cat food trends.
- Growth in online sales of cat food.
- The escalating humanization of pets and its effect on premium cat food sales.
- Increasing popularity of specialized diets for cats due to health issues such as obesity, diabetes etc.
- Increasing demand for cat food with natural and ethically sourced ingredients.
Secondary Research
Our secondary research forms the foundation of market understanding and scope definition. We collect and analyze information from multiple reliable sources to map the overall ecosystem of the Cat Food Market. Key inputs include:
Company-Level Information
- Annual reports, investor presentations, SEC filings
- Company press releases and product launch announcements
- Public executive interviews and earnings calls
- Strategy briefings and M&A updates
Industry and Government Sources
- Country-level industry associations and trade bodies
- Government dossiers, policy frameworks, and official releases
- Whitepapers, working papers, and public R&D initiatives
- Relevant Associations for the Cat Food Market
Market Intelligence Sources
- Broker reports and financial analyst coverage
- Paid databases (Hoovers, Factiva, Refinitiv, Reuters, Statista, etc.)
- Import/export trade data and tariff databases
- Sector-specific journals, magazines, and news portals
Macro & Consumer Insights
- Global macroeconomic indicators and their cascading effect on the industry
- Demand–supply outlook and value chain analysis
- Consumer behaviour, adoption rates, and commercialization trends
Primary Research
To validate and enrich our secondary findings, we conduct extensive primary research with industry stakeholders across the value chain. This ensures we capture both qualitative insights and quantitative validation. Our primary research includes:
Expert Insights & KOL Engagements
- Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Engagements
- Structured interviews with executives, product managers, and domain experts
- Paid and barter-based interviews across manufacturers, distributors, and end-users
Focused Discussions & Panels
- Discussions with stakeholders to validate demand-supply gaps
- Group discussions on emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, and adoption barriers
Data Validation & Business POV
- Cross-verification of market sizing and forecasts with industry insiders
- Capturing business perspectives on growth opportunities and restraints
Data Triangulation & Forecasting
The final step of our research involves data triangulation ensuring accuracy through cross-verification of:
- Demand-side analysis (consumption patterns, adoption trends, customer spending)
- Supply-side analysis (production, capacity, distribution, and market availability)
- Macroeconomic & microeconomic impact factors
Forecasting is carried out using proprietary models that combine:
- Time-series analysis
- Regression and correlation studies
- Baseline modeling
- Expert validation at each stage
Outcome
The outcome is a comprehensive and validated market model that captures:
- Market sizing (historical, current, forecast)
- Growth drivers and restraints
- Opportunity mapping and investment hotspots
- Competitive positioning and strategic insights