Prosperous Indians’ love for their Pets Fuels Rapid Pet Industry Growth

India: If you were to ask a pet parent the importance of their pet, most will say their pets take precedence over nearly everything else. Neha Bapna and her dog muffin are a prime example of this; every time she boards a train to travel through the subcontinent, Muffin (her four-year-old shih-tzu) is right by her side in a first-class coach. 

"I have spent sleepless nights trying to figure out what food suits him. He is my child, I do not want him to have any trouble," says the 43-year-old Mumbai-based entrepreneur.

The luxury does not stop with the pet travel arrangements either. Muffin only eats hypoallergenic pet food, which can cost up to twice as much as ‘regular’ pet food. "I have spent sleepless nights trying to figure out what food suits him. Pampering your pet in India used to be an expensive affair, making it a luxury only the country’s wealthiest could indulge in. Now though, affluent urban dwellers like Neha are spending more and more on their pets, leading to a boom in India’s pet care and pet travel industries. 

India’s pet care industry has nearly doubled in value over the last few years. According to Ankur Bisen, senior partner at Technopak retail consultancy, the pandemic played a big role in this boom. "Covid created a need for companionship when people were staying at home. So you could see young mothers, people in their first jobs, people who by choice decided not to have kids... All these people started going for pet ownership," he says.

According to a report by consulting firm Redseer, the number of pets in Indian homes grew from 26 million in 2019 to 32 million in 2024. As the Indian social fabric grows and evolves, pets are increasingly given the care and affection usually reserved for children. 

Nikhil Bhushan and Lakshna Gulati, a Delhi-based couple, say raising their pets gives them a glimpse of parenthood without the complexities a child brings. With no biological children, they share their home with two rescued pets: Mowgli, a dog, and Marmalade, a cat.

"When we got married five years ago, we weren't ready to have children, but soon after rescuing the pets, our house truly became a home – there was something missing which is now complete. They bring us joy and seeing them every day brightens our lives," says Mr Bhushan. "We like to spoil them," adds Ms Gulati. "Whenever we see [a toy] they might like, we immediately buy it, even knowing it will be destroyed in no time." 

According to the Redseer report, Indians spent $3.6bn (360 crore INR) on pet products and services, an increase from $1.6bn (100 crore INR) in 2019. This growth is direct result of emerging pet-care trends and industries like pet boarding, pet travel, and specialized veterinary care. 

For example, Ms Bapna spends between 25,000 rupees ($290; £220) and 40,000 rupees on Muffin in a month, most of which goes towards his travel and special diet. Whatever sort of outing it may be, Muffin is sure to come along and spend his time in a pet-friendly accommodation. 

She takes her dog on a trip every few weeks, whether it's a day outing to a nearby farmhouse or a longer stay at a resort, and stays in pet-friendly accommodation which are pricier than regular hotels.

When traveling to Jodhpur every few months to visit her parents, Ms. Bapna opts for first-class train tickets which are more than twice the price of general tickets, since Indian railways only allow dogs and cats in first-class coaches. Ms Bapna doesn't mind the expense though; when it comes to Muffin, she says, "This is one area where I make no concessions.