Mars sees India pet nutrition growing 8%-12% as cat ownership and quick commerce rise

Mars Pet Nutrition India is targeting conversion from home-cooked feeding, premiumisation and wider distribution. The company estimates pet nutrition at about $800 million, rising to roughly $1.2 billion by 2030; e-commerce and quick commerce contribute an estimated 20%-25% of category sales.

— Source publishedFri, 11 Sept, 2026, 10:01 IST·First seen Fri, 11 Sept, 2026, 10:27 IST·Source ET Brand Equity

What happened

Mars Pet Nutrition India sees pet food as a high-growth FMCG category, prioritising conversion from home-cooked diets, premiumisation and expanding

Key facts

  • India pet care market CAGR projected at 8% for 2026-2031
  • Pet nutrition market is about $800 million and projected to reach about $1.2 billion by 2030
  • Mars forecasts category growth of 8%-12% over the next five years
  • India has an estimated 40-50 million pets
  • Pets comprise about 60% dogs and 40% cats

Why this matters

Pet-care operators should pair India-specific cat food innovation with synchronized quick-commerce, e-commerce and offline availability to win first-time pet parents migrating from home-cooked feeding.

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