According to ecommerce enablement platform Unicommerce, the country’s growing demand for specialized pet food and grooming goods, as well as increased pet ownership, drove a 95% year-over-year increase in online orders for pet care products in FY25.
Based on transactions completed on the site, the data indicates a high demand for food items high in nutrients as well as hygiene-related products including chicken sticks, pet broths, deep-cleaning shampoos, deshedding conditioners, and grooming supplies.
The market experienced noteworthy rise in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, which saw year-over-year growth of 75% and 60%, respectively, while metropolitan and Tier-I cities continued to account for a significant share of the demand, reporting a 120% increase in order volumes. Indore, Surat, and Vadodara were important Tier-II cities, whereas Udupi, Panjim, and Rupnagar were areas with high Tier-III demand.
A change in customer behavior coincided with the increase in order volumes; prepaid purchases on brand websites increased by more than 300% in the preceding year. On the other hand, marketplace cash-on-delivery orders increased by about 200%. The segment’s growth has been aided by the increase of product offerings, which now include everything from pet apparel and accessories to organic food and dietary supplements. To accommodate changing pet parenting practices, a number of digital-first pet care companies are also providing subscription-based services, personalized goods, and veterinary necessities.
The trend shows that pet owners are becoming more diverse and that wealthy households in large cities are no longer the only ones who have pets. Younger customers and middle-class groups in smaller areas are increasingly driving pet care spending.
