Event Overview

On September 2, 2026, the sixth edition of the Pet Industry Dialogue (PID 2026) was held in New Delhi, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, veterinarians, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss the growth and changing needs of India’s petcare sector. Royal Canin participated actively, highlighting the importance of responsible petcare, policy and regulation, and expanding access to pet health services.

Key Discussions

  • Government Initiative for Pet Industry – Policies and Regulations: Moderated by Mr. Govind Suryawanshi, Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Canin, the panel included Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, and Mr. Debasish Mahalik, Scientist‑C, Deputy Director, Food & Agriculture Department, Bureau of Indian Standards. The discussion underscored the need for science‑based regulatory frameworks to build consumer trust and ensure pet health and safety.
  • Pet Care Landscape in India – Tier 2 and Tier 3: Presented by Mr. Satinder Singh, General Manager at Royal Canin, who emphasized that Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities have moved from future potential markets to primary growth engines. He noted rising pet ownership and increasing spend per pet, stressing the responsibility to provide quality nutrition, veterinary care and informed pet parenting beyond metropolitan areas.
  • Cracking the Code of Growing Pet Parents in India: Led by Mr. Srikanth Ramaswamy, PSR Sales & Marketing Director, Royal Canin. He described the evolution of the ecosystem over the past decade from a simple network of breeders, veterinarians and pet stores to a broader landscape that includes specialised services, digital platforms and new information sources. Education was highlighted as critical for helping increasingly curious and informed pet parents make better choices.

Across all sessions, participants agreed that sustained industry momentum requires parallel investments in veterinary capability building, rigorous quality standards, distribution reach and consumer awareness. A collaborative approach involving industry, academia, research institutions, veterinary professionals and regulators was deemed essential for a robust, health‑centered petcare ecosystem.

Award Recognition

Royal Canin was honoured with the prestigious Petcare Industry Thought Leadership Award at the India International Pet Trade Fair (IIPTF). The award recognized the brand’s pioneering contributions to category development, veterinary upskilling and science‑backed advocacy, underscoring its sustained commitment to elevating industry standards and fostering multi‑stakeholder collaboration.

Company Background

Royal Canin is the pet nutrition division of Mars, Incorporated, a $50 bn+ family‑owned business with more than 150,000 associates worldwide. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin operates in over 120 markets, employs over 8,000 associates—including more than 400 veterinarians and nutritionists—runs 16 factories, two pet centres, one innovation centre and seven laboratories within the Mars network. It also owns the EUKANUBA™ brand (outside Europe) and the U.S. direct‑to‑consumer brand NOM NOM.

Mars, Incorporated’s portfolio spans leading pet care brands (Royal Canin, Pedigree, Whiskas, Cesar) and major food and snack brands (Dove, M&M’s, Snickers, Ben’s Original). Its international veterinary networks include Banfield, BluePearl, VCA and Anicura, and it offers diagnostic capabilities through ANTECH®.