India Pet Food Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast for 2025 - 2032

India pet food market size is projected to rise from US$ 773.7 Mn in 2025 to US$ 1,465.6 Mn by 2032. It is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

Rising pet ownership in India, along with rapid modernization of retail channels are estimated to create new opportunities in the field of pet food. Increasing acceptance of pets such as cats and dogs as family members is also envisioned to boost the market. This perception has resulted in high spending in pet care in India, especially among millennials, propelling pet food demand.

Key Industry Highlights

• Food segment is poised to generate 28.2% share in 2025 with increasing adoption of pet dogs and cats, which is surging food consumption frequency.
• Online channel is anticipated to hold 31.6% share in 2025 due to the availability of wide assortments, doorstep delivery, and huge discounts.
• West India is presumed to account for 33.6% share in 2025, backed by high concentration of pet-friendly apartments and nuclear families in Pune and Mumbai.
• Increasing veterinary recommendations are likely to propel adoption of breed- and condition-specific diets.
• Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands are transforming the market with customized diet offerings and vet-backed products.

Driver - Shift Toward Premium and Specialized Pet Food with Growing Awareness

Increasing pet health awareness is poised to play a significant role in bolstering India pet food market growth through 2032. It will likely result in a surging shift of modern customers toward specialized and premium nutritional products. Pet owners are becoming more aware of pet health due to increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases, veterinarian recommendations, and digital content. It is expected to create a rising demand for condition, age, and breed-specific formulations such as food for allergen-sensitive, obese, and diabetic pets.

Pet parents are further preferring formulations that are rich in omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics as well as those high in digestible protein. Local brands are anticipated to capitalize on this trend by launching sophisticated products. Drools, for example, recently introduced two premium ranges, namely, Drools Vet Pro and Drools Focus for pets with specific dietary requirements. Both ranges cater to pets suffering from food intolerances, obesity, and renal disorders.

Restraint - Inflationary Pressure and Changing Customer Spending Patterns

The market in India has been experiencing decline in a few areas despite its steady growth trajectory. This is mainly due to changing consumer spending patterns and constant inflationary pressure. High prices of the primary raw materials such as milk, cereals, and chicken in 2023, for example, led to a significant surge in manufacturing costs.

The Indian Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (IPIJAC) reported that raw material prices rose by 15 to 20% between 2022 and 2023. This compelled various brands to increase their product prices by 10 to 12%. This is projected to directly impact cost-effectiveness, specifically among first-time pet owners and middle-income households in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where price sensitivity remains high.

Opportunity - Rising Focus of Local Brands on Launching Functional Pet Food

A key opportunity in India lies in the development of functional pet food. The trend for holistic pet wellness is encouraging owners to prioritize food items that not only fulfil hunger but also enhance quality of life, manage chronic conditions, and prevent diseases. This will likely create lucrative avenues for key companies as they strive to launch new products infused with significant health benefits.

Homegrown brands such as Wiggles, for example, have already introduced specialized prescription food offerings including Vetstar Renal. These are specifically targeted for dogs suffering from kidney issues. These provide gut-healing tonics and immuno-boosters made from moringa and curcumin, both ingredients rooted in India’s wellness traditions. In FY23, Wiggles reported a 3X hike in demand for condition-specific supplements and diets.

Plant-based Pet Food to Gain Popularity as Pet Owners Embrace Sustainability

Sustainable and plant-based pet food is predicted to be a key area for innovation in the foreseeable future. Modern pet owners are now seeking eco-friendly pet food items due to a rapid shift toward transparency in sourcing and ethical considerations. Dogsee Chew, for example, recently launched a line of products infused with locally sourced ingredients such as Himalayan yak milk. It helps promote digestive health and is sustainable.

In 2023 alone, the company witnessed a surge of nearly 35% in revenue. It is mainly popular for plant-based treats that are available in flavors such as sweet potato and apple. These mainly cater to those looking for less processed, clean alternatives as well as vegan pet owners. Leading players are further aiming to develop recyclable and biodegradable packaging for their pet food ranges to lower their carbon footprint. 

By Product Type, Food Dominates as Preference Shifts Toward Nutritionally Balanced Items

Based on product type, the market is divided into food, pet nutraceuticals/supplements, pet treats, and pet veterinary diets. Out of these, the food segment will likely generate a share of about 28.2% in 2025, says Persistence Market Research report. It is attributed to increasing inclination of pet parents toward commercial, nutritionally balanced pet food from homemade roti or rice and milk.

Pet treats, on the other hand, are projected to witness considerable growth through 2032 due to rising awareness of the positive effects of these products on pet training, mainly among first-time pet owners. Treats help initiate obedience training and behavioral conditioning, especially for younger cats and puppies. Various platforms such as Heads Up For Tails and Supertails, for instance, mentioned that sales of training treats are particularly high in tier 1 cities, where YouTube-based and professional pet training services are enabling owners to use treats.

By Distribution Channel, Online Platforms Lead due to High Demand for Convenience

By distribution channel, the pet food market is segregated into convenience stores, online channel, specialty stores, and supermarkets/hypermarkets. Online channel is expected to dominate by holding nearly 31.6% India pet food market share in 2025. Growth is primarily driven by the increasing shift of pet owners toward convenience. Online platforms provide a wide range of products from multiple brands and price ranges. Hence, owners can easily choose the desired product to get it delivered at their doorstep.

Supermarkets/hypermarkets are speculated to showcase steady growth in the forecast period due to their ability to offer trust-based physical visibility and instant availability. Ongoing expansion of modern retail outlets in semi-urban and urban areas is projected to create opportunities for brands to gain consumer recall. As per a study, in 2023, in India, organized retail formats accounted for over 20% of total pet food sales. This number is poised to surge in the future with rapid expansion of chains such as Spencer’s and Reliance Smart.

West India Pet Food Market Trends

West India is expected to account for a significant share of nearly 33.6% in 2025. Maharashtra is projected to outpace the other states in the region as pet adoption rates are skyrocketing. Cities such as Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, and Pune are likely to be at the forefront due to rising adoption of urban lifestyles, necessitating structured pet care routines.

Pune and Mumbai, the most prominent urban centers in West India, are poised to see pet owners embracing commercial packaged diets instead of homemade meals due to easy access to premium products and time constraints. Retail chains such as The Pet Point and Petcrux have expanded their online and physical presence in both cities. These offer additional services such as subscription deliveries and free vet consultations to strengthen their position.

East India Pet Food Market Trends

Though East India is still at the nascent stage, it is predicted to rise at a steady pace in the forecast period. Kolkata is presumed to be a frontrunner in terms of growth amid increasing demand for branded products among working professionals and urban households. Homegrown companies such as Pet Buddy as well as chains, including Just Dogs, have already developed delivery services and offline stores in the city. Online platforms are also offering easy access to various products catering to pet owners in and around Kolkata, Asansol, Durgapur, and Siliguri.

In Assam and Odisha, pet food sales are likely to rise with the emergence of several urban centers such as Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. Local pet stores have recently reported steady month-on-month sales growth in dry cat and dog food, mainly from cost-effective brands such as Me-O, Pedigree, and Drools. A few brands are leveraging social media influencer marketing tactics to attract the attention of modern pet owners.

South India Pet Food Market Trends

South India is considered one of the most significant markets for pet food in the country. Cities such as Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are estimated to be the high-consumption hubs. It is attributed to high purchasing power of pet parents and increasing awareness of pet nutrition. Bengaluru, with its large population of tech professionals and dual-income, young households, has ingrained a culture of conscious pet parenting.

Brands are hence focusing on providing value-added services such as curated treat boxes, breed-specific food, and online vet consultations. Supertails mentioned that in 2023, around 40% of its orders came from Bengaluru alone. Chennai and Hyderabad are further showing a surging demand for condition-specific food for pets. Rising cat ownership in Chennai is also envisioned to create an increasing demand for premium litter and wet food.

India pet food market houses several companies that are focusing on product innovation and product offering expansions to fulfil increasing demand from customers. Key companies are striving to introduce specialized veterinary diets, grain-free options, and premium products to meet specific pet health requirements. They are collaborating with international companies to co-develop new product lines by complying to varying demands.

Key Industry Developments  

• In April 2025, a subsidiary of Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Pet Care introduced Godrej Ninja, its pet food brand in Tamil Nadu. The brand provides dog food scientifically formulated to enhance immunity and gut health.
• In March 2025, Avanti Pet Care launched a new cat food brand to mark its presence in India’s pet food industry. The company joined hands with Bluefalo Group, a Thailand-based pet food company, to launch the new product.
• In September 2024, Growel Group announced its expansion in India with the launch of Carniwel, its latest pet food brand. This new range aims to cater to the high demand for pet nutrition. Even though it comes under the premium nutrition segment, the brand has kept the product prices affordable.