Animal Health Care is the good management practices, undertaken on an ongoing daily basis by the livestock handler, that are required to maintain health and production. The increasing population of production animals and companion animals is supporting the growth of the global animal healthcare market. The production animals are nurtured by consumers for milk and meat related products; whereas, the companion animals are adopted for office or house guards and companionship.

The increasing transfer of diseases from animals to humans, through companionship and consumption of products sourced from them are driving the demand of global animal healthcare market. The legislation and protest of animal institutions and activists, and excess use of antibiotics in production animals are some of the factors restraining the growth of the animal healthcare market. Most of the animal healthcare companies are concentrating on research and development activities to offer better vaccine and pharmaceutical products for the prevailing diseases. The top ten competitors in the global animal healthcare market accounts for 75% of the total market share, which creates more competition in the market.

Geographically, North America and Europe together held over 60% share in the global animal healthcare market in 2015. The high level of urbanization leading to high standard of living is the key reason for large consumption of meat and milk products in these regions. The household to pet ratio in these regions is also high. These factors are responsible for their high share in the global animal healthcare market. There are several organizations and associations dedicated to pet health and care. The government in the developed regions is also largely concerned about animal health.

Some of the major companies operating in the global animal healthcare market include Zoetis, Merck, Merial, Bayer, Virbac, Ceva Sante Animal S.A., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Elanco, and Vetoquinol.