Animal Intestinal Health Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Production Animals, Companion Animals), By Product, By Mode of Delivery, By Function, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Animal Intestinal Health Market Summary

Animal intestinal health products primarily focus on maintaining a healthy microbiota, feed absorption, nutrient absorption, and the immune system, regardless of the presence or absence of gastrointestinal diseases. The market is witnessing a shift towards maintaining a selective use of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals and increasing usage of medicated feed additives like probiotics, prebiotics, and other nutritional products. This trend is owing to the increasing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among animals and, gradually, in humans.

The awareness about the relationship between the use of antibiotics in livestock and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is growing, which may threaten both animal and human health. Many leading companies and animal welfare organizations are reducing antibiotic use as growth promoters (AGPs) in animals and boosting the adoption of gut health feed additives & supplements with the help of global programs.

For instance, Alltech conducts an Alltech Antibiotic Reduction Program to ensure that a healthy animal is healthy and to minimize the prophylactic use of antibiotic products in gut health. The company is promoting a process known as Seed-Feed-Weed (SFW). Optimizing the composition of the gut microbes is essential in this process to improve animal performance in environments without antibiotics. From birth, delivering good bacteria into the gut promotes a robust microbial community that enhances growth, feed conversion, and vitality. Furthermore, promoting the dominance of beneficial organisms helps promote gut wellness and effective absorption of nutrients. Eliminating harmful microbes using blockers may strengthen the animal's natural defenses, shorten the healing duration, and inhibit disease risks.

Furthermore, in 2006, the European Union (EU) banned the widespread use of pharmaceuticals like antibiotics in animal feeds as AGPs. It directed that only the selective use of antibiotics in disease treatment be allowed. Such programs promote the effective use of nutritional gut health products and the selective use of antibiotics in cases of gastrointestinal diseases, thus driving the market.

The rising livestock population and production globally, coupled with the integration of advanced technologies in product development, are key factors driving demand for animal intestinal health products. According to a March 2025 release by the Press Information Bureau of India (PIB), India's total livestock population reached approximately 535.78 million, marking a 4.6% increase since the previous census in 2012. The ongoing 21st Livestock Census, covering 15 species, including cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, and poultry, aims to provide vital data for policymaking and conservation efforts.

Similarly, Brazil’s livestock sector is experiencing significant growth. As reported by Garra International in April 2025, Brazil achieved a record in beef exports, shipping 273,400 tons and generating USD 1.33 billion in revenue, a 15.3% higher in volume and 27.6% higher in value compared to April 2024. China remains the top importer, while U.S. imports surged by nearly 500% amid domestic herd shortages, underscoring robust international demand. Despite new U.S. tariffs, Brazil’s beef exports continue to thrive, supported by strategic market expansion efforts and strong global demand.

Given the multifaceted uses of these livestock animals for dairy and meat production, this sustained population and production growth is expected to bolster the market for animal intestinal health products such as probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and immunomodulators. These products are crucial for establishing and maintaining healthy gut bacteria in young animals, enhancing digestion, immunity, and overall health while reducing the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.

Moreover, Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a transformative role in livestock farming. According to a September 2024 article by AgriTech Tomorrow, AI is enabling the development of targeted probiotics that significantly improve gut health, digestion, and immunity while minimizing antibiotic dependence-thus mitigating antimicrobial resistance. By leveraging extensive data on animal digestion, microbes, and pathogens, AI helps formulate cost-effective and efficient probiotic solutions, fostering sustainable farming practices and a healthier human food supply.

The combination of growing livestock populations, robust production, international trade dynamics, and technological advancements, particularly AI-driven innovation, is positioning to witness significant and sustained growth in the years ahead.

Case Study: Leveraging AI to Develop Targeted Probiotics for Enhanced Animal Intestinal Health

As global demand for animal-derived food increases, the livestock industry faces the dual challenge of boosting productivity while minimizing environmental impact. A promising solution lies in developing AI-designed probiotics, which aim to improve animal nutrition and health, thereby enhancing the sustainability of farming practices.

The application of AI in developing targeted probiotics represents a significant advancement in animal intestinal health management. By addressing specific health challenges, reducing antibiotic dependence, and promoting sustainability, AI-designed probiotics hold the potential to revolutionize livestock farming practices.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The industry demonstrates a high level of innovation, characterized by investment in research & development of innovative products. For instance, in November 2024, University of Guelph researchers secured over USD 3 million from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to fund eight projects to enhance poultry health and food safety. These initiatives encompass studies on avian influenza, alternatives to antibiotics, sustainable feed ingredients, and innovative waste management solutions, all contributing to the advancement of Canada's poultry sector .

A moderate level of mergers and acquisitions activity exists within the market, indicating a market consolidation strategy among industry players. For instance, in May 2025, Kemin Industries acquired Bactana, a company specializing in intestinal health and fermentation technology, to enhance its pet gut health portfolio. This strategic move is aimed at accelerating the development of innovative gut health solutions for companion animals.

The market experiences a moderate to high impact from regulations as governments and regulatory agencies worldwide enforce stricter measures to curb antibiotic usage amid growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals. For example, the European Union has banned antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in veterinary applications and now permits antibiotics only for selective disease treatment. Similarly, regulatory authorities are mandating stringent laws to ensure animal feed additives are correctly classified, thoroughly tested, and accurately labeled to guarantee safety. For instance, in March 2025, as per an article from Feed Strategy, the U.S. House of Representatives reintroduced the Innovative Feed Act, aimed at modernizing feed regulations to enhance safety and efficacy in animal nutrition products, further emphasizing the evolving regulatory landscape in this sector.

The market experiences a very high level of product substitutes. Despite the presence of global leaders like Cargill, Alltech, DSM, and others, it has been observed that animal owners prefer domestic manufacturers at the country/ regional level. This can be mainly due to factors like cost-effectiveness and trust among the end-users for these domestic companies. This creates a significant challenge for the established players in capturing the remote areas of the market.

The market participants aim to expand growth operations at the regional level to boost their global penetration into the industry. For example, in March 2025, Kemin Industries launched PROSIDIUM, a novel feed pathogen control solution, at VIV Asia 2025 in Bangkok.

Animal Type Insights

The production animal segment held the dominant revenue share of 74.7% in the animal intestinal health market in 2024. Increased consumption of meat and dairy products is a significant factor driving this market. According to a March 2024 release by The Guardian, meat and dairy production rose by 9% and 13%, respectively, between 2015 and 2021. This rise in demand for animal products prompts an increase in the overall population of these animals, thus further increasing the consumption of these intestinal health products to maintain proper health.

The companion segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The segment comprises canine, feline, equine, etc. Globally, pet owners are projected to rise, especially in developed countries. Additionally, pet owners have increased spending globally on maintaining their pets' good health. These nutritional products effectively manage gut health complications if administered properly since the animal's birth. This will lead to a higher demand for preventive care products to maintain a healthy gut and increase demand for products like probiotics and prebiotics. An added advantage of these products in companion animals is that they are manufactured in different forms, like chewable tablets and food/water additives, which increase their palatability.

Mode of Delivery Insights

The feed/water additives segment dominated the animal intestinal health market with a revenue share of over 61.5% in 2024. This can be attributable to the high palatability and animal compliance. This mode of delivery enhances the animal's sense of taste and improves the palatability of the food. Products administered to the animals through this mode ensure effortless intake of essential nutrients. It allows owners to easily combine the additives critical to the animal's feed, increasing compliance. Increased compliance leads to high intake and digestibility, thus driving the market.

The supplements & tablets segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. This high growth is owed to the emergence of chewable supplements for gut health. Market players launched products like chewable supplements & tablets to increase the adoption of nutritional products. These supplements resemble pet/animal food in appearance, which strengthens their adoption within animals, specifically in companion animals. In dogs, cats, horses, etc., these supplements are manufactured in various flavors that these companion animals like to increase their palatability. They are versatile, as they can be easily mixed with regular pet food and administered as treats.

Function Insights

The preventive care segment dominated the animal intestinal health market in terms of share in 2024 and CAGR over the forecast period. This can be attributable to the fact that products like probiotics, prebiotics, and immunomodulators are widely used in various nutritional regimes for animals like cattle, poultry, swine, dogs, cats, and horses. Generally, when an animal is born, this regime is initiated to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Their adoption is more widespread in animal production as feed/water additives. They enhance the animal feed to include the good microbes that act as a preventive force against gastrointestinal diseases, decreasing the possibility of their occurrence.

Distribution Channel Insights

The animal farms segment dominated the animal intestinal health market in 2024, owing to the high adoption of feed additives in these channels. Animal farm owners directly procure these nutritional and pharmaceutical products from companies worldwide. Wholesale acquisition of these products ensures that the farm receives them at a lower price than the market rate. This is the primary reason for the dominance of this segment. Animal owners and companies generally have a multi-year contract ensuring a steady supply of products.

The e-commerce segment will grow at the highest rate over the forecast period. This growth can be due to its high adoption among pet owners. Pet parents worldwide are increasingly employing this channel to procure the product of their choice from any website. They can even compare prices among multiple websites and choose the website that offers the products at the lowest prices. If the production animal owners require a specialized feed or supplement unavailable in their vicinity, e-commerce is considered the best alternative procurement channel.

Product Insights

The nutrition segment dominated the animal intestinal health market with a revenue share of 83.6% in 2024. This segment is further segmented into products like probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, phytogenics, enzymes, and immunomodulators. These products are used widely across the animal health industry in animals like cattle, poultry, swine, dogs, cats, equine, and others. They are mainly administered to animals as a preventive measure from birth to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and reduce the possibility of developing gastrointestinal diseases.

In recent years, the rising cases of AMR among animals and their effects on humans have prompted professionals to adopt these nutritional products as an alternative to antibiotics. Apart from their preventive capabilities, these products are also used to treat gastrointestinal diseases with pharmaceuticals. Traditionally, dietary products come in the form of feed additives, which are mixed with the feed/food of the animal and administered. Chewable tablets/supplements have increased recently, mainly in companion animals, as these products are manufactured with various flavors that increase their palatability.

Regional Insights

The North America intestinal health market accounted for the second-largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This can be due to factors like structured animal husbandry infrastructure, major market players, high pet adoption and expenditure, and dominance in the global animal production industry.

U.S. Animal Intestinal Health Market Trends

The country's dominance in global animal production drives the U.S. animal intestinal health market. As of 2025, data published by the USDA, the U.S. is the world's largest poultry producer, accounting for 21.34 metric tons of production and about 21% of the global output. In addition to its strong production capabilities, the U.S. also leads in advanced research and development initiatives in the veterinary field. For example, ADM’s canine clinical trial, published in the Journal of Animal Science in December 2024, demonstrated that both live probiotic and heat-treated postbiotic forms of BPL1 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145) are safe for adult dogs and can enhance gut health. The study highlighted improvements in fecal short-chain fatty acids and beneficial changes in microbiome composition and functional metagenome, suggesting promising applications for pet nutrition products.

Europe Animal Intestinal Health Market Trends

The market for animal intestinal health in Europe is anticipated to expand rapidly due to supportive legislation like the Veterinary Medicines Regulation of the European Union (EU). According to a European Public Health Alliance publication, strict guidelines limiting the application of veterinary antibiotics became effective throughout the EU in January 2022, encouraging the adoption of nutritional products such as probiotics, enzymes, and prebiotics in the region.

Moreover, innovative initiatives are being launched across Europe to transform by-products into high-quality animal feed, further boosting the market's growth. For example, in May 2025, a new project was launched in Sweden to convert residues from the forestry and food industries into premium animal feed, promoting sustainable production while enhancing gut health in livestock. Such projects contribute to the circular economy and highlight the growing emphasis on animal intestinal health solutions in the European market.

Growing animal husbandry and the growing popularity of pets are expected to fuel growth in Germany animal intestinal health market. Germany has the second-biggest cattle population in the European Union and the highest number of dairy cattle, i.e., 3.8 million or ~17% of the EU population, according to the March 2024 estimates by the UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Furthermore, roughly fifty percent of German farms are livestock-focused, according to the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR), which is expected further to encourage beneficial circumstances for the animal intestinal health industry.

In recent years, the UK animal intestinal health market has emerged as one of the hubs for innovative solutions in animal nutrition and environmental stewardship. For instance, The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, a leading veterinary research institution, is leading in making groundbreaking discoveries about animal gut bacteria, identifying thousands of previously unknown microbes in cattle, chickens, and bees. These findings are helping to improve digestion, immunity, and methane emissions in livestock while advancing breeding programs. The Institute's work drives practical animal feed, health, and sustainability applications through partnerships with industry stakeholders. Overall, such research projects have significantly influenced the animal intestinal health sector in the UK.

Asia Pacific Animal Intestinal Health Market Trends

The Asia Pacific animal intestinal health market had the highest revenue share of over 31.9% in 2024 and grew by around 9.3% over the forecast period. This region is home to two of the world's giants in animal populations and production: India and China. These countries comprise over 40% of the world's cattle population. These factors will act as major driving factors for APAC.

India animal intestinal health market will grow at the highest CAGR of over 10% over the forecast period. This is owed to the country's dominant production of products in animal husbandry and agriculture. According to 2023 government estimates, the livestock sector alone contributed over 5% to the country's Gross Value Added (GVA). Furthermore, in 2022-23, India exported poultry products worth over USD 134 Mn to more than 50 countries . 

Latin America Animal Intestinal Health Market Trends

Large meat-producing countries in the region drive the Latin American animal intestinal health market. Countries like Brazil and Argentina are counted among the world's top producers of meats such as beef, poultry, etc. For instance, as per 2023 publications by Secretaría Técnica-Administrativa (STA) de FONTAGRO , out of the 312 million tons of meat produced in 2020, about 18% was made in this region. Poultry meat took over 50% of the meat production, followed by beef (35%) and Pork (16%).

Brazil animal intestinal health market leads in Latin America, driven by its position as the world's second-largest beef producer. According to 2024 data by the USDA, Brazil produced over 10.95 million metric tons of beef, accounting for 18% of the global output.

In addition to the robust livestock industry, innovative nutritional solutions are further driving the animal intestinal health market in the region. For instance, recent studies from October 2024 highlighted in the Pet Food Industry demonstrate that fungal protein-based diets can significantly improve digestibility and gut health in dogs. This study, conducted by the Research Laboratory in Canine Nutrition at Brazil's Federal University of Paraná, suggests the growing potential of alternative proteins and functional nutrition in supporting animal intestinal health, aligning with broader industry efforts in Brazil and beyond.

Middle East & Africa Animal Intestinal Health Market Trends

South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE comprise the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. An increasing number of innovative product launches in the region is driving the region. For instance, in March 2024, Innovative Solutions launched Humisyn, a nutritional and medicinal product targeted at reducing Necrotizing enteritis (NE) in the Middle Eastern region. This will be a boosting factor for the region as it is considered one of the prominent poultry-producing regions.

Since many farmers raise animals to produce milk and meat for individuals across the country and around the globe, livestock is an essential component of the economy in this country. Yet, since livestock may acquire a variety of infectious diseases, there is a growing demand for veterinary antibiotics and feed additives for treating companion animals and livestock and preventing the disease from spreading to other animals.

Key Animal Intestinal Health Company Insights

The market is highly competitive due to the large number of domestic players in each country. This fragments the market to a great extent. Thus, major players may face intense competition to maintain their market position at the country level. Moreover, companies are increasingly adopting mergers & acquisitions and geographic expansion strategies to expand in the market. For instance, in May 2023, AB Vista acquired Progres, a resin acids feed used to improve gut integrity in livestock animals, from a Finnish company, Hankkija. improve gut integrity in livestock animals, from a Finnish company, Hankkija.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Dechra launched Catney One, a feline kidney health supplement designed to reduce phosphate absorption using lanthanum carbonate. This product offers an alternative for cats needing to avoid additional calcium.

• In March 2025, INRAE, in collaboration with MNHN, EnvA, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, developed a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-4884, which is 15% more effective against Giardia intestinalis than existing treatments. This strain demonstrates enhanced resistance to digestive processes and offers a promising alternative amid rising resistance to conventional therapies.

• In December 2024, a novel Bacillus-based probiotic developed by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Kent Nutrition Group helps enhance digestion and gut health in poultry and swine. Commercial availability is anticipated in 2025.

• In November 2023,General Mills acquired Fera Pets. This acquisition facilitated General Mills' entry into pet care supplements. The company aimed to produce scientifically proven, high-quality supplements for pets and a combination of Eastern and Western medicine.

Animal Intestinal Health Market Report Scope

Global Animal Intestinal Health Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global animal intestinal health market report based on animal type, product, mode of delivery, function, distribution channel, and region:

• Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Production Animal

    • Cattle

    • Swine

    • Poultry

    • Others (sheep, goats, aquaculture, etc.)

  • Companion Animal

    • Canine

    • Feline

    • Equine

    • Others (turtles, fish, rabbit, etc.)

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Nutrition

    • Probiotics

    • Prebiotics

    • Postbiotics

    • Phytogenics

    • Enzymes

    • Immunomodulators

  • Pharmaceuticals

    • Antibiotics

    • Others

• Mode of Delivery Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Feed/Water Additives

  • Supplements & Tablets

  • Other mode of delivery

• Function Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Preventive Care

  • Disease Treatment

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Veterinary Hospitals/Clinics

  • Animal Farms

  • E-Commerce

  • Animal Specialty Stores

  • Other Distribution Channel

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • India

    • China

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait