Pet care economy booms in Telangana

HEMA SINGULURI | Hyderabad 

Every dog has its day, so goes the proverb. Dogs in general it seems are having the best as the pet care economy is gaining traction in Telangana. Lifestyle shifts, especially post pandemic, disposable incomes and nuclear households are reasons cited for the growing fondness for pets.

This has resulted in better veterinary care to packaged nutrition and grooming services. “Nearly 60–70% of customers we see are first-time dog owners who are still learning about balanced diets,” said a Hyderabad-based pet store owner.

Veterinarians echo similar concerns, pointing out that a significant share of clinical visits are linked to digestive and nutrition-related issues. The rise of pet cafés, grooming centres, veterinary hospitals, and specialized pet clinics across Hyderabad has strengthened the city’s position as a southern pet-care hub. Areas like Gachibowli, Kondapur, and Banjara Hills are seeing a cluster of pet service businesses catering to premium as well as mid-range consumers.

Though there is a surge in adoption, packaged pet food penetration in India is still low, only a small fraction of pet owners consistently use scientifically formulated diets. This gap is being bridged with some companies such as Godrej Pet Care aim to address. The company has entered Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with its brand Godrej Ninja, a scientifically formulated dog food designed for gut health and immunity. Developed at the Nadir Godrej Centre for Animal Research & Development, the product includes probiotics, prebiotics, and polyphenols to support digestion.

According to Nitin Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Godrej Pet Care the brand is focused on “democratizing pet nutrition through affordability and accessibility,” supported by strong R&D and automated manufacturing systems. Meanwhile, Ashok Pattanaik, Head, R&D, Godrej Pet Care highlights that nearly 70% of a dog’s immunity is linked to gut health, making scientific nutrition essential rather than optional.

Industry estimates place India’s pet food market at around Rs 6,000 crore, with South India contributing a significant share. Telangana is emerging as one of the fastest-growing pockets in this expansion.