12 India Pet Industry Statistics to Know in 2026: Trends, Market Size & FAQ
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The Indian pet industry has seen a significant boom in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and this boom is expected to continue for the next 10 years. In fact, the industry is expected to see 19% annual growth, making it one of the fastest-developing pet industries in the world. Currently, there are estimated to be around 20 million pet dogs and 5.5 million domestic cats, giving a total industry value of $900 million.
As is typical of any pet industry, food makes up the majority of this, with an overall value of $650 million or 70% of the total market. As the industry continues to develop, it is likely to see new companies and even new categories of expenditure crop up. Products like pet insurance will become increasingly popular as the pet population grows, while higher quality and premium foods and other pet products will also become available.
Below, we look at some of the latest pet industry statistics in India, as well as some predictions of what experts believe will happen to the industry in the coming years.
The 12 Pet Industry Statistics in India
There are around 30 million pet dogs in India.
India has a stray cat population of more than 9 million.
There are around 5.5 million domestic pet cats in India.
The pet care industry is worth approximately $900 million.
The Indian pet food market is expected to be worth nearly $650 million in 2024.
Mars International is the leading pet food company.
Pet accessory purchases account for 20% of the industry.
The volume of pet food sold is approximately half a billion kilograms.
Approximately 80% of pet food is bought offline.
There are expected to be 43 million pet dogs by 2026.
The industry is expected to see 19% annual growth in the next 10 years.
The pet services sector is expected to reach $0.5 billion by 2025.
Pet Population
1. There are around 30 million pet dogs in India.
(Statista 1)
Dogs are the most popular pets in the world, and they feature as the most popular pets in the majority of countries. This is true in India, where there are an estimated 30 million pet dogs. The canine population saw a sharp rise between 2019 and 2021, with the intervening Covid years seeing many people take on new pets for companionship and as a means of coping with the difficulties of lockdown.
In 2019, there were 21 million pet dogs in India, and in 2021 this figure had risen to nearly 28 million which is an increase of nearly a third.
2. India has a stray cat population of more than 9 million.
(NCBI)
Another global pattern that is evident in India is a sizable stray cat population. Stray cats are those that have no home. Some are born on the streets, to other stray cats, while others have lived in homes in the past but now live on the streets.
Most stray cats do live in towns and cities, because of the close proximity to reliable food sources, but some do live in more rural areas, especially near farms and other areas where food is easy to come by.
It is difficult to accurately measure the stray cat population, but it is estimated that there are around 9 million in India.
3. There are around 5.5 million domestic pet cats.
(World Population Review)
If the 9 million stray cat population is accurate, that means there are significantly more stray cats than domestic cats. Domestic cats are those that live in homes or with humans. The domestic cat population does not usually include farm cats, and there are believed to be around 5.5 million domestic pet cats in the country.
The Current State of the Market
4. The pet care industry is worth approximately $900 million.
(Market Decipher)
The total pet care industry is worth $900 million and at the current rate of growth, it is likely to hit $1 billion very soon. The pet care industry includes pet food and treats, as well as accessories, veterinary and health care, insurance, and services like walking, grooming, pet sitting, and daycare services.
5. The Indian pet food market is expected to be worth nearly $650 million in 2024.
(Statista 2)
Pet food makes up the largest share of the pet care industry with an estimated total value of $650 million in 2024. While this represents significant growth for the country, it still falls some way behind other markets.
The US is the world’s largest pet food market and has a value of $58 billion. The Indian market still has a lot of growth potential.
6. Mars International is the leading pet food company.
(Market Decipher)
Major pet food companies are already in place in India and the largest pet food manufacturer in the country is Mars International. Mars is responsible for manufacturing brands including Whiskas and Royal Canin.
The next largest manufacturer, by volume, is Nestle Purina PetCare. Himalaya and Drools also feature on the list.
7. Pet accessory purchases account for 20% of the industry.
(YourStory)
Pet food makes up around 70% of the total pet care market in India. The next biggest market share belongs to pet accessories. Accessories like leashes, collars, and toys make up 20% of the market.
Wahl is one of the biggest names in this sector and makes clippers and trimmers as well as brushes and other grooming products. Choostix, which makes treats and other products, is another big name.
8. The volume of pet food sold is approximately half a billion kilograms.
(Statista 2)
As the pet population grows, so too will the amount of pet food consumed. The current pet population consumes half a billion kilograms of food and experts believe this will reach 0.7 billion kilograms by 2028.
9. Approximately 80% of pet food is bought offline.
(Statista 2)
One area of the pet food industry that is likely to see further growth is that of online food sales. As the population enjoys improved access to the Internet, especially on mobile devices, this will likely lead to more purchases being made online.
Currently, only 20% of pet food is bought online with the remainder being bought from local shops or supermarkets.
Market Expectations
10. There are expected to be 43 million pet dogs by 2026.
(Statista 1)
The pet dog population is expected to boom over the next couple of years, rising from the current 30 million population to a massive 43 million in the next two years. This is an increase of more than 50% in a very short period and is an indication of how much the industry itself will expand in this time.
11. The industry is expected to see 19% annual growth in the next 10 years.
(Market Decipher)
The expected boom in the pet population and the likely development of industry trends mean that experts expect the Indian pet market to expand at a rate of 19% per annum for the next ten years. They are also expecting several unicorn companies, or billion-dollar private companies, to emerge within the industry.
As the market does evolve, consumers will get access to a broader selection of products, as well as more premium products, new services, and more.
12. The pet services sector is expected to reach $0.5 billion by 2025.
(YourStory)
Pet services include grooming, walking, and pet sitting services, among others. These services will become increasingly important as the industry grows and as more pet owners enter the market. The segment of the market is expected to reach an annual revenue of half a billion dollars by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many pets are there in India?
There is an estimated population of 38 million pets across the country at present, although significant growth of this population is expected in the coming years. The number of pets in metros and tier-2 and tier-3 cities has grown in the past few years. (Times Of India)
What are the most popular pets?
As is typical in most countries, dogs are the most common pets, with a population of around 30 million. And cats are the second most popular species, with a population of just 5.5 million domesticated pet cats. Both of these figures are expected to rise in the next few years.
Are there a lot of stray animals in India?
There is a stray animal problem in virtually every country, due to the overpopulation of cats and dogs. India is no different. There are 9 million stray cats in the country, which means, if all the figures are accurate, there are nearly twice as many stray cats as there are pet cats.
However, there is no register of pets, and it is very difficult to count stray animal populations because they are transient and can be difficult to identify.
Conclusion
India is witnessing significant growth in its pet population which, in turn, is leading to an explosion in the pet industry. Approximately 70% of the $900 million pet industry is made up of pet food with 20% consisting of accessories and pet care items.
If growth figures are accurate, these numbers will grow significantly in the next 10 years, and considering the size of India’s population, if the current growth in pet ownership continues, the country could become a major player in the global pet market.
Featured Image Credit: Miguel Cabezón, Shutterstock
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Matt is a freelance writer from the UK. He lives with his partner and daughter, as well as two cats and one dog. A data analyst by profession, Matt moved from numbers to words more than 15 years ago and has been writing ever since. Having volunteered at a local animal sanctuary, he has a lot of experience with dogs, cats, and horses. Matt has also kept bearded dragons, a variety of birds, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, and rats. His daughter has adopted the same passion for animals, keeping and breeding snakes. A geek at heart, Matt is a member of a local board gaming group and regularly forces his family to “enjoy” board games with him at home.
