OTC Pet Medication Market Size – By Medication Type (Flea & Tick, Pain & Allergy, Wormers & Dewormers, Dental Care), Pet (Dogs, Cats, Birds), Form (Chews, Treats, Capsule, Ointment), Distribution Channel (Pharmacy, Pet Specialty), Global Forecast (2023-2032)

OTC Pet Medication Market Size – By Medication Type (Flea & Tick, Pain & Allergy, Wormers & Dewormers, Dental Care), Pet (Dogs, Cats, Birds), Form (Chews, Treats, Capsule, Ointment), Distribution Channel (Pharmacy, Pet Specialty), Global Forecast (2023-2032)

OTC Pet Medication Market Size

OTC Pet Medication Market size was valued at USD 8.1 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2032. The market is driven by increasing pet ownership, growing awareness among pet owners regarding the importance of preventive healthcare, rising adoption of pet insurance, and increasing spending on animal healthcare.

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The rising number of pet owners worldwide is a significant driver for the market. As more people bring pets into their homes, the demand for pet care products, including OTC medications, increases. According to the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) 2022-2023 National Pet Owners Survey, 66% of U.S. households, or around 86.9 million families, own a pet. The expenditure on supplies, live animals, and OTC medicine in the US was USD 31.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 32.1 billion in 2023. Pet owners are increasingly investing in the health and well-being of their pets, leading to a higher demand for OTC medications to address common health issues.

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COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the OTC pet medication market. During the pandemic, there was a surge in pet adoption and ownership as people sought companionship and emotional support. The increased pet population directly translated into higher demand for pet healthcare products, including OTC medications. This boost in pet ownership positively impacted the market revenue.

However, the pandemic led to disruptions in veterinary services, including limited access to veterinary clinics, postponed non-essential appointments, and increased demand for emergency care. In such situations, pet owners turned to OTC pet medications to manage minor health issues or to bridge the gap until they could access veterinary services. This surge in demand for OTC medications compensated for the temporary decline in veterinary services, bolstering the market value.

OTC Pet Medication Market Trends

The market is influenced by various trends that shape its dynamics and drive its growth. Some key trends in the market includes increasing emphasis on preventive care, growing demand for natural and herbal OTC pet medications, technological advancements in medication delivery, and increasingly seeking personalized and customized solutions for better animal care. In addition, the growth of e-commerce and online retail has significantly impacted the market. Pet owners now have the convenience of purchasing OTC medications from online retailers, with doorstep delivery options. The ease of online shopping, wider product selection, and competitive pricing have fueled the growth of online sales in the market.

OTC Pet Medication Market Analysis

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Based on medication type, the market is segmented into flea and tick control, wormers and dewormers, dental care, nutritional supplements, skin and coat care, pain and allergy relief, and other medication types. In 2022, the flea and tick control segment accounted for the largest share of 45.3% in the OTC pet medication market. Pet owners prioritize the health and comfort of their pets, and flea and tick infestations can cause significant discomfort and health issues such as skin irritation, itching, allergies, and transmit diseases to pets. The increasing pet ownership, increasing expenditure of animal’s health, and increasing incidences of parasitic infections in pets drives the market of flea and tick control during the forecast period.

Moreover, additional factors such as the development of specialized flea and tick control for different animal species and treatment requirements, the expansion of veterinary healthcare services, and the increasing emphasis on animal welfare, further propel the demand for flea and tick control in the market.

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Based on pet type, the OTC pet medication market is segmented as dogs, cats, birds, fishes & reptiles, and other small pets. The dogs segment held dominant market share of around 36.3% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period.  The increasing number of households adopting dogs and increasing spending on dog's healthcare drives the market progress.

Based on form, the OTC pet medication market is segmented as chews and treats, capsule & ointment, sprays, and other forms. The capsule & ointment segment held the maximum market revenue of USD 3.6 billion in the year 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant pace of 6.2% between 2023 to 2032. With the growing number of pet owners and increased awareness of pet health, there is a greater demand for convenient and effective OTC medications. Pet owners are more proactive in seeking solutions to common health issues and are willing to explore OTC options. The availability of capsule and ointment products caters to this demand, allowing pet owners to address their pets' health needs conveniently and without delay.

Based on distribution channel, the OTC pet medication market is segmented as drug & pharmacy stores, pet specialty stores, veterinary clinics and hospitals, online retailers, and other distribution channels. The drug & pharmacy stores segment held a dominant market share of 40.6% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2023 to 2032. Drug and pharmacy stores provide convenient access to a wide range of OTC pet medications. These stores are often located in easily accessible locations within communities, making it more convenient for pet owners to purchase medications for their pets.  

Moreover, the online retailers segment is expected to grow at fastest rate of 7.4%. Online retailers provide a convenient and accessible platform for pet owners to purchase OTC pet medications. Pet owners can browse and order products from the comfort of their homes, saving time and effort compared to visiting physical stores. This is expected to drive the segment expansion.

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North America OTC pet medication market accounted for significant revenue in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 5.4 billion in 2032 with a CAGR of 6.3% from 2023-2032. North America has a high rate of pet ownership, with a significant number of households having at least one pet. The growing trend of pet ownership in the region creates a substantial consumer base for OTC pet medications.  As pet owners become more concerned in their pets' health and well-being, the demand for over-the-counter drugs to address common health conditions grows.

Furthermore, North America has a well-developed veterinary healthcare industry, offering advanced and high-quality healthcare products for pets. This includes OTC pet medications that cater to a wide range of health conditions. The availability of advanced healthcare products ensures that pet owners have access to a diverse range of OTC medications to address their pets' specific needs, leading to market growth in North America region.

OTC Pet Medication Market Share

Some of the major market players operating in the OTC pet medication market are

• Zoetis Inc.
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Ceva Sante Animale
• Virbac
• Vetoquinol
• PetIQ, LLC.
• Norbrook
• Bimeda, Inc.

These players focus on strategic partnerships, new product launch & commercialization for market expansion.

OTC Pet Medication Industry News

• In April 2022, PetMed Express, Inc., announced an exclusive partnership and investment with Vetster Inc., a major veterinary telemedicine and pet-care marketplace. PetMeds became the official e-commerce seller of pet medication for Vetster, and Vetster became the exclusive provider of telehealth and telemedicine services to PetMeds clients as a result of the agreement. Customers of PetMeds can use vetster's technology to communicate with a veterinarian from home or while travelling as part of the agreement, and PetMeds provides rapid and accurate delivery of prescriptions and over-the-counter pet medications.
• In May 2021, Elanco Animal Health introduced first oral flea and tick product for cats, credelio cat (lotilaner), a small, chewable product that maintains fast-acting, sustained flea efficacy throughout the month in cats 8 weeks and older.

The OTC pet medication market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments

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By Medication Type, 2018 - 2032 (USD Million)

• Flea and tick control
• Wormers and dewormers              
• Dental care             
• Nutritional supplements     
• Skin and coat care
• Pain and allergy relief         
• Other medication types      

By Pet Type, 2018 - 2032 (USD Million)

• Dogs
• Cats
• Birds
• Fishes & reptiles
• Other small pets

By Form, 2018 - 2032 (USD Million)

• Chews and treats
• Capsule & ointment
• Sprays
• Other forms

By Distribution Channel, 2018 - 2032 (USD Million)

• Drug & pharmacy stores
• Pet specialty stores
• Veterinary clinics and hospitals
• Online retailers
• Other distribution channels

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa