How To Pamper Your Pooch

If you think your fur babies deserve luxury, there are plenty of pet care brands in India that agree.

- Kayal Arivalan

Even as other businesses are still struggling post the pandemic, the pet care industry, including the pet food and grooming markets, is booming. That’s because when it comes to their pets, parents are unwilling to skimp, even if it means cutting back on their own indulgences.

The companionship of pets provided many people with the greatest comfort through the pandemic. The lockdown not only witnessed a record-breaking adoption rate, but also saw the advent of a new generation of entrepreneurs that is revolutionising India’s luxury pet market. Pet parents are projected to spend more than ever on their fur babies, purchasing not only food but also items for their pets’ healthcare, grooming and entertainment.

PART OF THE FAMILY

As a way of expressing their affection for their furry companions, pet parents of all ages have turned to lavishing them with extravagant creature comforts. “When my mother and I adopted our dog Bhadra six years ago, we ensured that she was treated like a family member, similar to my daughter,” Karthik Dhandapani, animal rescuer and member of Blue Cross, Chennai, says. Bhadra had been flung from a two-storey building, rescued and later adopted by Karthik and his family. “Because she was rescued and adopted off the street, we have ensured that she has access to all the essential comforts a human family member receives. She sleeps in a separate dog bed and eats alongside us. We also enjoy dressing her up for celebrations, so we end up purchasing clothes and accessories for her,” adds Karthik, who bought his pet a gold chain apart from buying premium pet accessories from time to time.