Pet care in 2025: The big picture
In 2024, pet care in India continued to grow in retail current value terms, and this is set to continue in 2025, driven by shifting consumer behaviours, increasing urbanisation, and growing awareness of pet health and wellness. According to Euromonitor’s Socio data, the overall pet population in India grew by approximately 5% in 2024, and a similar rate of increase is anticipated in 2025, to reach 39 million pets. While the industry experienced an unprecedented surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, the return to office routines has led to more stable growth rates. However, pet ownership continues to rise, and many consumers are now prioritising premium, specialised products tailored to their pets’ needs. This shift has propelled the expansion of wet pet food, functional nutrition, and premium pet care services.
2025 key trends
One of the defining trends in pet food in India in 2024 and 2025 is the growing shift towards wet food – this is evident in both dog food and cat food, but is particularly witnessed in cat food. This is driven by rising awareness amongst pet owners about the importance of species-appropriate, nutritionally dense, and palatable diets. As a result, brands such as Me-O have rapidly gained traction, while brands such as Drools are expanding their presence in wet cat food to meet this evolving demand. The broader trend of premiumisation is also gaining ground, with consumers gravitating towards protein-rich, grain-free, and functional food formulations tailored to specific pet health needs.
Competitive landscape
In 2024, Mars International maintained its lead in pet care in India in value terms, with flagship brands such as Pedigree and Whiskas having strong positions across all key offline and e-commerce channels. Mars continued to lead thanks to a focus on expanding its premium offerings, and reinforcing consumer trust through widespread availability and consistent product innovations.
Retail developments
Pet shops and superstores is expected to continue to account for the highest distribution share within pet care in 2025. Such pet specialist retailers have been enhancing the in-store experience, offering pet owners expert guidance, in-store consultations, and customised nutrition plans. This is complemented by the rising prominence of organised pet store chains, which provide a one-stop destination for all pet care needs.
What next for pet care?
Pet care in India is on a trajectory of sustained growth, with positive retail value CAGRs anticipated at constant 2025 prices across all categories, fuelled by rising pet adoption rates, increasing disposable incomes, and evolving consumer preferences. The emphasis on pet health and wellness is expected to drive demand for functional food, supplements, and advanced veterinary care services. Companies will continue to innovate, introducing tailored nutrition solutions that cater to specific dietary requirements and life stages. The regulatory landscape will also play a pivotal role in shaping industry practices, with stricter compliance requirements for pet licensing, vaccination, and product labelling ensuring higher standards of pet care.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Pet Care industry in India with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Cat Food
- Dog Food
- Other Pet Food
- Pet Products
If you're in the Pet Care industry in India, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Pet Care in India report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Pet Care in India?
- Which are the leading brands in Pet Care in India?
- How are products distributed in Pet Care in India?
- How is the rise of e-commerce impacting the retail environment and consumer engagement?
- How are fashions and values in human food echoed in food for pets?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Pet Care in India
Pet care in 2025: The big picture
2025 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for pet care?
DISCLAIMER
Cat Food in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Stabilisation brings a shift from adoption-driven growth to nutrition-focused demand
Mars International maintains its lead, but Perfect Companion achieves share growth
Offline retailers adapt to compete with retail e-commerce
Untapped growth potential in tier-2 and tier-3 cities
Functional, health-specific and age-specific nutrition set to gain popularity
Expansion of direct-to-consumer and subscription-based models
Dog Food in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising dog ownership and rising incomes drive growth, along with premiumisation
Mars International leads dog food, followed by Indian Broiler Group
Omnichannel strategies, including e-commerce and personalised retail, propel sales
Tier-2 and tier-3 cities likely to be the emerging frontiers for dog food brands
Health-conscious pet owners set to drive demand for functional dog food
Sustainability and ethical sourcing address the demands of eco-conscious consumers
Other Pet Food in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth for other pet food, but dominance of the informal market persists
Growing interest in exotic pets drives niche demand for specialised nutrition
Taiyo maintains its lead in other pet food
Regulatory clarity and awareness campaigns may contribute to growth
Specialised and functional nutrition present premiumisation opportunities
Omnichannel expansion, with a focus on direct-to-consumer models
Pet Products in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Smart and technology-driven products drive sales of other pet products
Sustainability becomes a key trend in pet products
Strengthening of omnichannel retail strategies
Rise in customised and breed-specific pet products
Expansion of pet insurance and healthcare products
Growth of subscription-based models in pet products
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Pet Care
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- Cat Treats and Mixers
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- Economy Dry Cat Food
- Mid-Priced Dry Cat Food
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- Premium Therapeutic Dry Cat Food
- Premium Non-Therapeutic Dry Cat Food
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- Economy Wet Cat Food
- Mid-Priced Wet Cat Food
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- Premium Therapeutic Wet Cat Food
- Premium Non-Therapeutic Wet Cat Food
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- Dog Treats and Mixers
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- Economy Dry Dog Food
- Mid-Priced Dry Dog Food
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- Premium Therapeutic Dry Dog Food
- Premium Non-Therapeutic Dry Dog Food
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- Economy Wet Dog Food
- Mid-Priced Wet Dog Food
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- Premium Therapeutic Wet Dog Food
- Premium Non-Therapeutic Wet Dog Food
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- Bird Food
- Fish Food
- Small Mammal/Reptile Food
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- Cat Litter
- Pet Healthcare
- Other Pet Products
Why buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Pet Care research and analysis database.
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