05 August 2026, New Delhi:– Dr Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, highlighted India’s rapidly expanding pet care sector as a significant driver of innovation, investment, employment generation and improved animal welfare, during the maiden edition of the CII India Petcare Summit. He emphasised that realising this potential would require growth to be underpinned by science, robust veterinary infrastructure, responsible pet ownership and progressive policy frameworks.
Highlighting the scale of the sector, he noted that the pet care Industry is emerging as an important economic sector with significant potential for employment, investment and manufacturing growth. He emphasised that India has an estimated 40–50 million companion animals and nearly 60–70 million free-roaming dogs, making balanced and sustainable coexistence an important national priority.
Dr Maheswarappa further stressed on the rapid expansion of the pet nutrition market and reaffirmed the collective commitment to ensuring that the future of India’s pet care sector is guided by science, innovation, compassion and responsible stewardship. He stressed the need for evidence-based nutrition, sustainable sourcing, appropriate labelling standards and greater investment in research and development to reduce import dependence and promote indigenous product development under the Make in India initiative.
Focusing on veterinary infrastructure, he called for expanding veterinary education, establishing minimum standards for veterinary institutions and para-professional training, and strengthening referral hospitals, emergency care, diagnostics and specialised services such as oncology, dentistry and dermatology. He further emphasised the need to leverage emerging technologies, including digital platforms, remote sensing and other technology-enabled solutions, while promoting responsible pet ownership, public-private partnerships, pet insurance and greater awareness of zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach.
Speaking on the rapid growth of the pet food industry, he noted that the sector, valued at around USD 2.4 billion in 2024, is projected to nearly double to USD 4.6 billion by 2033. He emphasised that this growth must be underpinned by sustainability through robust pet food labelling guidelines, greater investment in research and development, enhanced skills and technology and increased utilisation of India’s own resources to reduce import dependence. He also called for a shift in focus from consumerism to responsible pet ownership.
Sharing her vision for the future of animal care in India, Ms Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson, People for Animals, emphasised that the future of India’s pet care sector cannot be viewed in isolation from veterinary education, public health, urban planning, animal welfare and policy. She said that the sector’s next phase of growth should be measured not by the products it sells or the services it provides, but by its contribution towards addressing India’s animal welfare and public health challenges.
Dr Arun Atrey, Chairman, CII National Task Force on Animal Wellbeing and Managing Director, Zenex Animal Health, described the summit as an important milestone for India’s rapidly growing companion animal ecosystem.
He observed that the sector has reached an inflection point, creating new opportunities across healthcare, nutrition, diagnostics, insurance, retail, technology and specialised veterinary services. Highlighting the impact of urbanisation, changing lifestyles and increasing awareness of responsible pet ownership, he said the Industry is witnessing growing demand for scientifically formulated nutrition, preventive healthcare, digital health solutions, advanced diagnostics and wellness services. He stressed that technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital diagnostics, teleconsultation and wearable devices have the potential to transform veterinary practice and improve accessibility and clinical outcomes.
The summit also featured a theme presentation titled “Pet Care in India: Shaping a Resilient and Inclusive Companion Care Landscape” by Ms Sahiba Puri, Global Insight Manager, Petcare, Euromonitor International, highlighting emerging trends, growth opportunities and the evolving outlook for India’s companion animal sector.