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From being guardians to becoming man’s best friend, pet parenting has come a long way. In India, the relationship has evolved drastically in just 10 years, Supertails Founder Varun Sadana and MARS Petcare MD Salil Murthy said.

“Pets have become our companions now. Even pet care in India has changed from just dealing with illnesses to preventative healthcare,” Murthy added while speaking at a panel discussion.

The biggest challenge in India, however, is the mindset of the people, who are often resistant to adopting newer innovations or practices, Supertails’ Sadana said.

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Session at YS office on pet nutrition by Dr Umesh Kallahalli, Senior Veterinarian, Mars Petcare, India

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“There’s so much knowledge around pet nutrition but the tendency of parents is to outsource that so they buy kibble. Around 80% of pet parents today haven’t visited the vet, and not more than 5% ever visit vets regularly,” he added.

With urban millennials and double-income, no kid-households homing pets at faster rates than ever, the market for vet and pet care products is set to double by 2026, from Rs 4,000 crore in 2022, according to Datum Intell.

The key to thriving in such a rapidly expanding market is to focus on sustainability and foster a community that addresses the pain points of pet parents, MARS Petcare’s Murthy said.

He adds that an ecosystem play—where all parts of the pet care industry come together—would not only enhance collaboration and innovation but also provide more comprehensive and effective solutions for pet owners.

Sadana and Murthy were speaking at YourStory’s Bring Your Pet to Work Day, sponsored by Mars Petcare. The day involved discussions with a veteran veterinarian and nutritionist, an animal behaviourist, and folks in the pet care industry.