Imagine coming home after a long day, and there’s your furry friend waiting by the door, wagging its tail or purring with joy. That simple moment of unconditional love is a reminder of the unique companionship pets bring into our lives. From offering emotional support to reducing stress, pets have become more than just companions—they are integral to our well-being.
As pet ownership continues to rise, especially among Millennials and Gen Z embracing the ‘pet parent’ culture, the demand for quality pet care solutions is booming. In India, the pet care industry is growing rapidly, with projections to exceed ₹10,000 crore by 2028.
Currently, India has over 31 million pet dogs and 2.44 million pet cats, with pet parents spending more than ₹3,000 per month on their pets’ needs in cities like Bengaluru.
This surge in pet care spending is driving a wave of innovative startups offering everything from nutritious food to specialized grooming services.
Here are some of the pet startups leading the charge in transforming the pet care industry in India, making life better for both pets and their parents.
- Heads Up for Tails
In 2008, Rashi Narang struggled to find good-quality pet accessories for her dog. Frustrated by the lack of options, she decided to create her own brand. What started as a passion project in her home has now become Heads Up For Tails (HUFT)—India’s largest luxury pet care brand.
HUFT offers everything from premium pet food and grooming essentials to personalized accessories and stylish pet beds. With 90+ retail stores across India and an ever-growing online presence, HUFT has become a one-stop destination for pet parents looking for quality and style.
- Drools
In 2010, Fahim Sultan set out to create India’s first scientifically formulated pet food brand Drools, offering high-protein, vet-approved nutrition designed specifically for Indian pets. His goal was to provide a high-quality alternative to international brands like Pedigree and Royal Canin.
Even as the pet food industry grew, many pet parents continued to prefer homemade meals, often due to concerns about packaged food containing by-products and leftovers. Drools aimed to change this perception by focusing on real, wholesome ingredients. Rather than just making dog food, the brand committed to making food for dogs, with real chicken as the primary ingredient.
Led by Shashank Sinha (CEO at Drools), who brings over a decade of leadership experience, Drools has become one of India’s leading pet food brands.
Today, its products are available in over 34,000+ retail outlets and exported to more than 20 countries.
- Supertails
Supertails was founded in 2021 by Varun Sadana, Vineet Khanna, and Aman Tekriwal with a mission to transform pet parenting in India. Recognizing the challenges pet parents face in finding reliable products and veterinary services, the Bengaluru-based startup created a comprehensive digital platform to meet these needs.
Offering everything from high-quality pet food and accessories to grooming essentials and toys, Supertails ensures convenience at every step.
What sets the platform apart is its expert-led online veterinary consultations, making professional pet care easily accessible.
With strong investor backing, Supertails has raised $31.4 million to date, including a $15.2 million Series B round in February 2024. The company reported an annual revenue of ₹67.3 crore ($8.13 million) as of March 31, 2024.
- Zigly
Ashok Jaipuria saw a gap in India’s pet care market—pet parents were struggling to find reliable services like grooming, training, and vet consultations. That’s when Zigly was born in 2021.
Unlike a traditional pet store, Zigly offers a complete ecosystem of pet care—from food and accessories to professional grooming and healthcare services. With a flagship care center in Delhi and a growing online platform, Zigly is making pet care more convenient and accessible.
With an annual revenue of $388 million as of 2023, Zigly is on track to become India’s leading pet service brand.
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- Wiggles
To bridge the gap in pet care knowledge for new and experienced pet parents, Anushka Iyer founded Wiggles in December 2018 alongside her father, Rajh Iyer, and co-founder, Venky Mahadevan.
Wiggles is known for its Wiggle Box, a subscription service delivering monthly anti-parasitic meds and pet supplements. It also provides grooming, daycare, and on-call vet services. In 2019, Wiggles raised $1 million in angel funding from investors, including Dell EMC’s Aparna Badkundri and LTI’s Nachiket Deshpande.
In 2023, Wiggles acquired Capt Zack, strengthening its grooming and skincare range. With $6.5 million in funding, the brand continues to set new standards in pet healthcare.
- Dogsee Chew
Dogsee Chew was born out of the love founders Bhupendra Khanal and Sneh Sharma had for their Golden Retriever, Mowgli. Struggling to find healthy treats, they launched the brand in 2015 in Bengaluru to provide 100% natural, gluten-free, and grain-free options for dogs. Their mission is to replace chemically processed treats with wholesome, organic alternatives.
Made with Himalayan ingredients, Dogsee Chew offers high-protein, low-carb, vegetarian treats that serve as a natural alternative to bones and rawhide, ensuring both nutrition and taste for furry friends.
With $14 million in funding, including $6.7 million from Mankind Pharma, the brand has expanded to global markets, making it one of India’s top pet treat exports.
- Benny’s Bowl
Tired of seeing pet parents struggle with preservative-laden kibble, Aashna Jain and Akshay Gupta launched Benny’s Bowl in 2021. The brand offers fresh, preservative-free dog food made with real meat, rice, and vegetables.
With a subscription-based model, pet parents can customize meal plans to suit their dog’s dietary needs. $300K in funding has helped Benny’s Bowl expand, offering a healthier alternative to traditional dog food.
- PetChef
Founded in 2024 by Nayan Shah, Akshay Patel, and Nakul Ruparel, PetChef focuses on human-grade, preservative-free pet meals.
Their product line includes gravy meals, bone broth, and high-protein treats, ensuring that pets get balanced, natural nutrition.
Recently backed by 100X.VC, PetChef is quickly gaining popularity among health-conscious pet parents.
- MyPetz
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Anjan Goswami and Ankita Parihar, MyPetz is a Bengaluru-based digital platform simplifying pet care.
It offers e-consultations, grooming, and a curated selection of pet food, toys, bedding, hygiene essentials, and medicines.
With a tech-driven approach and a focus on affordability and quality, MyPetz bridges the gap in standardized pet services.
Operating in the B2C retail space, the platform has surpassed 10,000 downloads, connecting pet parents with trusted brands and expert care.
- Doggie Dabbas
Founded in 2011 by Rashee Shah Kuchroo, Doggie Dabbas began as a solution to her pet Sloppy’s health issues caused by poor nutrition. Seeing the benefits of fresh, balanced meals, she started offering vet-approved meal plans, leading to the launch of Doggie Dabbas.
Now delivering meals monthly across Delhi and Mumbai, the brand provides fresh, tailored nutrition, helping pets lead healthier lives while supporting busy pet parents.
Initially focused on frozen meals, the brand expanded in 2014 to include treats and snacks, catering to a growing demand for fresh, vet-approved pet nutrition.
Over the years, Doggie Dabbas has helped numerous pets, including those struggling with obesity and health issues, achieve better well-being through tailored diets.
- Just Dogs
Started in 2011 by Poorvi and Ashish Anthony, Just Dogs has grown into India’s largest pet retail chain, offering a wide selection of pet food, treats, accessories, and grooming products.
With a strong online presence and physical stores across the country, Just Dogs provides expert-recommended pet care solutions.
In 2022, the company secured $7 million in Series A funding, allowing it to expand its services further.
- Canine India
Founded in 2018 by Certified Pet Food Nutritionist Julia Pape, Canine India was born from the need for high-quality, ethically sourced pet food. Struggling to find nutritious options for her Indie dog, Coco, Julia began sourcing fresh, farm-raised meat, leading to the brand’s creation.
Based in Thiruvallur, Canine India offers minimally processed, species-appropriate pet food, including air-dried treats, raw fish, chews, and supplements—free from fillers and preservatives. Committed to transparency and animal welfare, the brand also supports Indie dog feeding programs. Julia believes, “Making food is a huge responsibility, not a cash grab.”
- Wagr
Wagr is India’s pioneering AI-driven pet care platform, transforming how pet parents access expert guidance. Founded in 2016 by Siddharth Darbha, Advaith Mohan, and Ajith Kochery, Wagr introduced Toto, the world’s first AI-powered pet care chatbot.
Toto provides 24/7 personalized advice on nutrition, behavior, training, and health, assisting thousands of pet owners with data-backed insights.
Beyond AI-driven support, the Wagr app offers seamless access to veterinary consultations, pet supplies, and India’s first GPS and fitness tracker for dogs. Backed by IvyCap Ventures and Inflection Point Ventures, the company raised $699K in a seed funding round in November 2021.
- ThePetNest
ThePetNest is a leading pet care platform in India, offering a tech-enabled, one-stop solution for all pet-related needs. Founded in 2019 by Vivek Kumar, Chandrakant Yadav, and Shivam Gupta, the company provides a range of services, including grooming, veterinary consultations, pet insurance, relocation, adoption, dog walking, and boarding across 35+ cities.
ThePetNest ensures quality pet care through a network of 4,000+ trained professionals. With services accessible via its website, mobile app, and retail franchises, it offers convenience and reliability.
As a bootstrapped, profitable company, ThePetNest prioritizes innovation, customer satisfaction, and trusted service, making pet parenting easier.
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- FreshWoof
FreshWoof offers 100% plant-based, vet-approved dog food that exceeds AAFCO guidelines, ensuring a nutritious and sustainable diet for pets. Founded in 2019 by Saakshi Sharma and Tejwinder Singh, the brand is committed to providing preservative-free, hypoallergenic, and easily digestible meals crafted with over 25 superfoods.
Its signature formula, Plant Power, is packed with essential nutrients like B12, D3, and taurine, supporting overall health, digestion, and skin and coat wellness. Research suggests that plant-based diets can contribute to longer, healthier lives for dogs
- Luvin
Founded in 2021 by Ipshit Bhattacharya, Luvin focuses on premium, all-natural pet food and accessories.
From organic treats to eco-friendly pet products, Luvin is helping pet parents make healthier, more sustainable choices.
With $300K in funding, Luvin is rapidly becoming a trusted brand for natural pet care.
- Papa Pawsome
Founded in 2019 by Nikita Tarun Agarwal, Nishita Agarwal, and Pratik Kanath, Papa Pawsome offers a range of natural, holistic wellness products for pets.
Its lineup includes wet and dry shampoos, detanglers, itch creams, medicinal ointments for ticks and infections, paw and skin creams, spa kits, and more—crafted from natural ingredients.
Currently, Papa Pawsome offers breed-specific and concern-specific kits available through its website and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa. To enhance customer convenience, the brand has introduced subscription-based services.
As part of 100X.VC’s 7th cohort, the startup secured $400K in a seed funding round in February 2024.
- TailZ
Founded in 2021 by Mansi Kohli, TailZ is a one-stop app designed to meet every dog’s care needs. Built on the vision of creating a seamless and trusted pet care experience, the brand connects pet parents with verified hosts and expert services, ensuring personalized care for their furry companions.
With offerings that include boarding, daycare, dog walking, nutrition advice, vet consultations, and pet training, TailZ has quickly built a community of satisfied pet parents. Operating on a B2C model in the retail and health tech space, the app has already surpassed 5,000 downloads.
- FiloMilo
Founded in 2021 by Brinda Prabhu and Prabhu Gandhikumar, FiloMilo is dedicated to providing high-quality, Ayurvedic-inspired pet nutrition.
With a range of meals, snacks, and super-premium dog biscuits made from real chicken, calcium, and Brahmi powder, the brand ensures pets get optimal health benefits with every bite.
Backed by European veterinarians and nutritionists, FiloMilo’s recipes meet the highest quality standards. Operating in the B2C retail, food, and agriculture space, the brand secured $782K in seed funding in January 2024 and continues to redefine pet nutrition with natural, science-backed products.
- PetSutra
Founded in 2016 by Amol Sharma and Tabrez Alam, PetSutra (PetBuddy Products Private Limited) is dedicated to supporting pet parents across India with expert guidance and personalized pet care solutions.
By blending technology with pet nutrition and behavioral science, PetSutra ensures pets receive the best possible care tailored to their unique needs.
The platform offers India’s first dog food diet calculator, personalized pet products, expert consultations, and pet adoption services, creating a seamless pet parenting experience.
Backed by $1.29M in funding, the company remains committed to empowering pet parents with reliable solutions for a healthier and happier life for their pets.
Conclusion:
A decade ago, pet care in India was simple—feeding pets leftovers, giving them a backyard spot, and visiting the vet only when necessary.
Today, this has changed dramatically. Pets are no longer just animals in the house; they are cherished family members, with their well-being as important as any loved one.
This shift in perspective has fueled a new wave of pet care, where quality nutrition, expert healthcare, and specialized services have become the norm. Leading this transformation are 20 pet care startups, redefining the industry with better nutrition, advanced healthcare, and high-quality pet products.
From fresh food and grooming solutions to AI-driven recommendations, these brands are making pet care more accessible and effective.
With pet ownership in India on the rise, these startups are at the forefront of the industry, ensuring pets receive the love, care, and attention they truly deserve.
