Demand for pet food in India is expected to experience strong growth in the coming years due to a growing pet population, changing lifestyle, and the influence of Western culture.

According to a study, the Indian pet food market is expected to reach US$1.4 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of around 7% during 2021-2026. The dog food segment is expected to continue its dominance as the largest revenue contributor, followed by the cat and fish food segments. Premiumization of pet food and treats and the trend of humanization of pets are also expected to drive the market.

The major factors driving the demand for pet food in the country include rising number of nuclear families, particularly in urban areas, increasing pet ownership and rising per capita disposable income. In India, pet food predominantly includes packaged, ready-to-eat food products that are manufactured to provide complete nutrition to pets. Available in dry, wet, and treat/snack forms, these products are suitable for consumption by dogs, cats, birds, and other pets.

In India, dogs are more popular pets than other animals like cats, birds, fish, etc. This creates a significant opportunity for pet food companies to come up with a wide range of food products for dogs. The dog food segment is expected to continue its dominance in the forecast period as the largest revenue contributor, followed by the cat and fish food segments. Dry food is more popular in the dog food segment due to the general liking of dogs towards dry food, while cats prefer wet food.

Treat/snacks are also popular among dogs, however, due to high prices, most pet owners prefer buying dry food. In 2020, around 85% of the pets in India were dogs, with the northern region accounting for the highest number of pets. Cats and fish, on the other hand, are more popular pets in the southern region of India.

Mars International is the leading manufacturer and supplier of pet food products in the country. The company offers its low-cost products under the Pedigree and Whiskas brand and premium quality products under the Royal Canin brand. Other major pet food companies operating in the country include Provimi Animal Nutrition India, PetSetGo, and Bharat International Pet Foods.

In terms of brand, Mars is dominating the pet food market in India, accounting for around 70% of revenue share. However, other brands like Petsetgo, Drools, etc. are expected to increase their penetration in India by expanding their production or setting up new manufacturing units across the country over the next five years. The report also identifies and analyzes emerging trends, as well as the essential drivers and key challenges faced by the pet food market in India.