India’s Pet Care Market Set to Cross Rs. 11,000 Crore by 2031 as Regulation Takes Centre Stage

The report highlighted that the next phase of growth will depend not only on rising demand but also on stronger regulatory foundations, deeper veterinary capacity and closer collaboration across the companion care ecosystem.

Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Companion Care,” the CII India Petcare Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, regulators, standards experts, veterinarians and industry leaders to discuss building a robust companion animal ecosystem.

The discussions focused on strengthening India’s regulatory framework, advancing science-based nutrition, expanding veterinary capacity, promoting responsible pet ownership and fostering innovation. The summit also examined a generational shift in which Millennials and Gen Z increasingly treat pets as family and are driving demand for premium, health-focused nutrition.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Naveena Kumar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, pointed to the rapid evolution of the sector and called for science-based nutrition, stronger regulatory frameworks, sustainable manufacturing, ethical breeding practices and greater investment in research and veterinary infrastructure.

Dr. Sujit Kumar Dutta, Joint Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India & Secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India, stressed the need for stronger veterinary infrastructure, skilled manpower, expanded domestic manufacturing and robust regulatory standards to support responsible and sustainable growth.

The inaugural panel, “From Labels to Laws – Building India’s Future-Ready Pet Food Regulatory Ecosystem,” moderated by Manish Syag, Managing Director, Mars Pet Nutrition India, examined how a collaborative, science-led regulatory framework could strengthen consumer trust and transparency without slowing the category’s growth.

Manish Syag, Managing Director, Mars Pet Nutrition India, said, “India's pet care industry has tremendous headroom for growth. Today, only 9% of dogs and 27% of cats are fed packaged pet food, even though pet food contributes 86% of the category's retail value. As more pet parents embrace quality nutrition and access expands across the country, science-based regulation will be a critical enabler of this growth. Clear, globally aligned standards build consumer confidence, support responsible innovation and give manufacturers the certainty to invest in local capabilities. For us, everything begins with the pet at the centre of the home, and by working together across government, standards bodies, veterinarians and industry, we can build a trusted ecosystem that advances responsible pet ownership while positioning India as a global hub for world-class pet nutrition.”

Pradeep Sharma, Scientist-C & Deputy Director, Food & Agriculture Department, Bureau of Indian Standards, said, “The revision of India's pet food standard is aimed at aligning it with the latest scientific developments and global best practices while strengthening transparency through improved labelling and quality requirements. Effective implementation of these standards will help build consumer trust, create a level playing field for manufacturers and strengthen India's position as a globally competitive hub for pet food manufacturing and exports.”

Satinder Singh, Managing Director, Royal Canin, said, “A future-ready pet care ecosystem must be built on three pillars, pets first, science and trust. Science-based regulations can improve transparency, encourage innovation and help build consumer confidence while enabling the industry to grow responsibly.”

The panel also featured Pallavi Anand, Business Head, Nestle Purina Petcare, South Asia Region; Satinder Singh, Managing Director, Royal Canin; and Aman Tekriwal, Co-founder, Supertails.

Speakers repeatedly highlighted the importance of clear, standardised labelling in helping pet parents understand ingredients, nutritional content, feeding guidelines and evidence-based claims, enabling them to make informed choices. They argued that regulation should encourage innovation while aligning with global scientific standards, supported by stronger consumer education and closer coordination between industry, veterinarians, policymakers and digital platforms.

The Euromonitor report pointed to significant headroom for expansion, noting that only 9% of dogs and 27% of cats in India are currently fed packaged pet food. The gap is widening as e-commerce and quick commerce expand beyond the metros.

Pet food accounts for nearly 86% of India’s pet care retail value, with the market projected to reach Rs. 11,167 crore by 2031.

Pet ownership is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5%, led by Millennials and Gen Z, who increasingly view pets as family and are driving demand for premium, health-focused nutrition.

The findings presented at the CII India Petcare Summit 2026 place regulatory development, veterinary capacity, science-based nutrition and coordinated industry action at the centre of India’s projected pet care expansion, as the sector moves towards a market projected to exceed Rs. 11,000 crore by 2031.