Pet care trends have become more popular across the industry for a variety of reasons. This week, The Pioneer speaks with industry professionals about the rising demand for the same.
Shraddha Neware
There is no denying that there’s a never ending love that we have for our furry pets. And the Indian pet sector has also grown significantly over the past few years, riding on people’s strong attachment to their animals. In India, getting a pet or adopting one is becoming more and more popular, and this has helped the pet care sector expand quickly. According to data recently released by the Indian Pet Market Joint Advisory Council (IPICA), the pet market in India saw a development of almost 20% CAGR (compound annual growth rate). With a projected growth of Rs. 20,000 crore by 2025, the market is currently valued at about Rs. 8,000 crore.
The India International Pet Trade Fair (IIPTF) says that 600,000 pets are adopted there annually on average. According to reports, dogs are the most popular pets in India, with 31 million expected to be owned by the end of 2023. Cats are the second most popular animal, and their numbers are growing annually. An analysis forecasted 2.44 million pet cats, up from the recorded 1.84 million.
Indian pet care industry by 2025, and the Indian pet care market is predicted to have grown to a value of over Rs. 6500 crore, with growth of over 14% annually. Pet owners are spending more time and money on necessities based on their pets’ demands as they become more informed of the latest trends and standards in pet care. Many consumers are influenced by social media marketing targeted at them because of the rise in the use of digital platforms following the epidemic. According to research, the Indian pet care products market reached a value of around Rs. 5237 crore in 2023. The direct-to-customer (D2C) trend’s rapid expansion has further aided in the sector’s expansion, which is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.7% between 2024 and 2032.
Then, pet food accounts for over 70% of the pet industry’s income in India. Under the IAMS pet food brand, the pet food manufacturer MARS Petcare introduced its high-quality cat food in India. Created especially with the assistance of veterinarians to offer a natural and healthy defense for cats in every age range, from kittens to adults. “There is an abundance of dog breeds nowadays, and every veterinarian is aware that if a dog has a lot of skin disorders, we mold them into a gluten-free diet,” says veterinarian Dr. Harshdeep Tegha Kennel in his discussion of pet nutrition. “There are big brands in the market,” he continued, citing Farmina and Royal Canin as two examples. “Farmina also offers a Vet Life series. Recently, food of medicinal grade with particular nutritional content has been introduced to aid pets with ailments like dermatitis.”
Pet humanisation is another growing aspect of the pet industry. It is the practice of treating animals as people would. Many pet parents in India are following this trend as they tend to their pets’ every need. In India, there are about 32 million pet owners, and the number is growing at a rate of 11% per year. These pet parents go above and beyond to provide their pets with the most comfortable existence imaginable, understanding every detail of their demands. Pet ownership increased during the epidemic era as people opted for nuclear households and turned to animals for companionship. India’s present veterinary healthcare industry is judged to be around $169 million and is anticipated to reach $186 million by 2027, with owners of pets spending an average of approx. Rs. 4300 a month. Grooming salons and wellness spas that cater to these furry pals have also grown in the health and wellbeing industry. He continues, “There should be a department in veterinary medicine that checks the medicine frequently,” in reference to the laws that guarantee the controlled distribution of veterinary medicine being neglected. “Given that new businesses are opening every other day, they should begin dispensing their own medications.”
Then there are startups in the pet business that are prepared to meet the high standards of their pet parents, thanks to technological advancements. Supply telehealth advice, health advice, and high-quality food and pet care supplies right to the owners’ door. These kinds of startups concentrate on educating pet owners and promoting the welfare of their animals. Pet Sutra’s founder, who prioritises pet counselling over product sales, speaks with us about the pet business scene. “The pet industry as a whole has grown drastically,” he says. “Nevertheless, a large number of pet stores opened up after the outbreak. The saddest thing is that some of these stores opened without any enthusiasm or knowledge of pets and with no idea what they were. We understand what the client needs,” he continued. “We offer a suitable answer in light of that circumstance. One of the pet stores that offers a lot of counselling is us.”
Pet owners need insurance too, which is offered by reputable companies at reasonable rates. Take Digit Pet Insurance Policy, Future Generali India Dog Health Insurance, and Bajaj Allianz Pet Dog Insurance Policy, for instance. In addition to providing assistance in times of illness and medical need for pets, they may also cover the cost of yearly physical examinations, depending on your plan.
A group or a community has taken steps to guarantee the wellbeing of animals. Among these is Animal Blood Line, an NGO with headquarters in Hyderabad that specialises in providing care for animals. Animal Blood Line’s founder, Shiva Kumar Varma, talks with us about their methods: “We don’t currently have a shelter. Using volunteers or occasionally hired paramedics, we transport the sick animal to a local veterinary hospital, where it receives the necessary care. It could involve post-operative care, first aid, or surgery. They are returned to their original location after they have fully recovered.” He went on, “There are thousands of animals in Hyderabad. The majority of them are dogs, but there are also cats, cows, and birds. Additionally, we vaccinate dogs against rabies on a regular basis.” The pet sector is growing rapidly and will probably continue to do so in the years to come. Numerous organisations assist in spaying or neutering the animals that live on the streets. Additionally, it appears that more individuals are supporting the adoption of stray or local animals as opposed to buying exotic species.India has a substantial number of stray cats, which is another global trend that is visible there. Cats without homes are considered stray animals. Due to their easy access to dependable food supplies, most stray cats do reside in towns and cities; however, some do live in more rural regions, particularly in close proximity to farms and other places where food is readily available. Although the number of stray cats in India is difficult to estimate, it is thought to be in the range of 9 million.
