The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted the India Petcare Summit 2026 in New Delhi under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Companion Care,” convening policymakers, regulators, standards experts, veterinarians and industry leaders to discuss the reforms required for the next phase of growth in India’s rapidly expanding pet care sector.
Euromonitor International’s report “Pet Care in India: Shaping a Resilient and Inclusive Companion Care Landscape,” unveiled at the summit, projects the Indian pet care market to reach Rs 11,167 crore by 2031, implying an 8% compound annual growth rate between 2026 and 2031. The report also forecasts pet ownership to expand at a 5% CAGR, driven primarily by Millennials and Gen Z who increasingly treat pets as family members and demand premium, health‑focused nutrition.
Current market dynamics reveal that only 9% of dogs and 27% of cats in India are fed packaged pet food, yet pet food contributes roughly 86% of the sector’s retail value, underscoring a substantial growth opportunity as e‑commerce and quick‑commerce channels extend reach beyond metropolitan areas.
In the inaugural session, Dr. Naveena Kumar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, highlighted the sector’s rapid evolution and called for science‑based nutrition, stronger regulatory frameworks, sustainable manufacturing, ethical breeding practices and greater investment in veterinary research and infrastructure. Dr. Sujit Kumar Dutta, Joint Commissioner and Secretary of the Animal Welfare Board of India, reinforced the need for expanded veterinary capacity, skilled manpower, domestic manufacturing and robust regulatory standards to underpin responsible, sustainable growth.
The panel “From Labels to Laws – Building India’s Future‑Ready Pet Food Regulatory Ecosystem,” moderated by Manish Syag, Managing Director of Mars Pet Nutrition India, examined how a collaborative, science‑led regulatory framework can earn consumer trust and improve transparency without slowing category expansion. Syag noted the low penetration of packaged food (9% of dogs, 27% of cats) and the dominant share of pet food in retail value (86%), arguing that clear, globally aligned standards will give manufacturers certainty to invest in local capabilities and position India as a global hub for world‑class pet nutrition.
Pradeep Sharma, Scientist‑C & Deputy Director, Food & Agriculture Department, Bureau of Indian Standards, explained that the revision of India’s pet food standard seeks alignment with the latest scientific developments and global best practices, enhancing labelling and quality requirements to boost transparency, create a level playing field for manufacturers and strengthen India’s competitiveness in pet food exports.
Satinder Singh, Managing Director of Royal Canin, emphasized a three‑pillar approach—pets first, science and trust—stating that science‑based regulations can improve transparency, encourage innovation and enable responsible industry growth.
Panelists Pallavi Anand (Business Head, Nestle Purina Petcare, South Asia), Satinder Singh and Aman Tekriwal (Co‑founder, Supertails) reiterated the critical role of standardized labelling in helping pet parents interpret ingredients, nutritional content, feeding guidelines and evidence‑based claims, thereby facilitating informed choices.
The summit concluded that achieving a future‑ready pet care ecosystem will require coordinated action among government agencies, standards bodies, veterinarians, industry participants and digital platforms to develop clear labelling, expand veterinary capacity, promote responsible pet ownership and position India as a global hub for premium pet nutrition.