Rise Of The Pet Parents: India’s Newest Family Member Has Four Legs, A Tail, And A Say In Holiday Plans

It started with destination weddings. Then came destination proposals, honeymoons, and babymoons. Now, pets are getting their own destination photoshoots too. Pet parents are travelling across borders and seas to photograph their canine babies at exotic locales like Singapore, Dubai, and Malaysia. “Destination shoots are quite special because when you take a pet somewhere new, you discover a different side of their personality. They may behave differently, explore more, get excited about things they have never seen before,” shares Saloni K., Founder & Photographer at Sniff Stories Pet Photography. 

Over the last decade, Indian pets have gone beyond being animals that live in our homes to animals around which we organise our lives. The numbers back it up: India’s pet population grew from 26 million in 2019 to 32 million in 2024, according to consulting firm Redseer, and is forecast to hit 41.5 million in 2026, according to GlobalPETS.

Some credit the rise in pet parents to the COVID-19 pandemic, which created a need for companionship, while also allowing remote workers to care better for their pets. A big chunk of urban couples feel that owning a pet helps them experience parenthood, before deciding to become parents in the traditional sense of the word. The latter finds its foundation in social media-coined DINK households, disposable income, and often, urban isolation.

A Mars Petcare’s study reveals that two-thirds of GenZ and millennials in India are first time pet owners, and 66 percent of them regard their pets as the most important thing in their lives. And when I say ‘most important’, I mean they’re taking their cats and dogs for swimming sessions, hydrotherapy, and Ayurvedic oil massages for joint health. Back at home, pet meals go beyond ‘dog food’, with dedicated recipes and gourmet nutrition taking over the table. Their collars are often clipped with GPS tracking devices. 

It’s no surprise that big brands are rolling out dedicated pet collections in India: think Louis Vuitton’s monogram canvas dog collars and travel carpets; Hermès’ premium leashes and oak wood bowls; and adidas Originals’ first-ever standalone lifestyle pet collection featuring shoulder-bag carriers and a Pet Cali Tee, which launched in India in August 2026. The Redseer report projects that the market could reach USD 7-7.5 billion by FY28, reflecting the growing demand for these premium services. 

Late marriages, nuclear families, and higher spending potential in urban India are among the reasons why more and more people are treating pets like their own children.

More than 64 percent of young dog owners and 60 percent of young cat owners in India reported that their pets helped reduce stress and anxiety, according to the 2024 Mars Petcare study.

“I never attended pet birthday parties or became part of an organised pet-parent group, but Simba definitely expanded our social circle,” says Alankrita Khera, a Mumbai-based start-up coach. She reminisces about Simba, her pug of ten years, and all the ways he changed her life. “In a city like Mumbai, where work and family can consume almost all your time, meeting new people can easily become the least prioritised thing on your calendar,” she adds. But Simba had other plans. “One of our friendships actually began because both our dogs were called Simba. Mine was a pug and theirs was a Shih Tzu.”

In true sitcom style, they heard each other calling out 'Simba!' during a walk, quickly realising they were talking to different dogs. “We laughed about it and started talking. The rest as they say is history.” 

Tier 1 cities, particularly, are leaving no stone unturned in making pets become a part of their social circles. Picture pilates yoga with pets, pet festivals like Pet Fed which offer agility rings, adoption camps and interactive brand stalls, and painting workshops with puppies – what’s not to like?

“Our first trip was to Nandgaon, near Alibaug, when Simba was just four months old,” says Alankrita Khera, talking about staying in a pet-friendly resort and the joy of seeing their pet run freely on a beach and play hide and seek with the waves. She also recommends camping at Pawna Lake, about 111 km from Mumbai. “All of us slept in a tent and watched the sun rise over the lake together.” Another option is the Phoebe Farm in Khopoli, where their pug swam in a pool for the first time, and met other pets, including some of the animals that the owner has rescued. “The most special part about these trips was that they gave us uninterrupted time together as a family. All we had to do is put ourselves in our car, drive somewhere and spend the weekend together,” she says.

Without a doubt, it has become increasingly simpler to travel with pets. Airlines like Akasa Air and Air India officially permit pets inside the cabin, with a weight limit of 10 kg. (The policies may vary by aircraft, route, and carrier; we recommend checking the updated official site before booking). For road trips, products like travel crates, crash-tested seatbelts, waterproof hammocks, and collapsible bowls and bottles make travelling easier for both the pet and the parent. A lot of pet owners also prefer train journeys, where they can book the entire First AC cabin/coupe. 

And for the holidays where your furry friend can’t accompany you, trade pet-friendly hotels for luxury pet boarding options. 

Be warned, even boarding has gone boutique: climate-controlled kennels, swimming pools, customised meals and, for the particularly anxious parent, Alexa-enabled remote interaction can be booked. You’ll even get daily updates via pictures and videos of your pet’s staycation! 

When Khera adopted Simba in 2016, getting pet food or finding an emergency vet meant physically figuring it out. A decade later, much of that infrastructure sits inside a smartphone. “Platforms such as Heads Up For Tails, Happy Tails and Supertails are part of a much broader ecosystem that has emerged around pet parenting,” Alankrita Khera explains. “It definitely makes pet parenting much easier to fit around the constraints of modern urban life now.”

Beyond last minute treats and meds, pet parents can also book last-minute pet-sitters via platforms like PetBacker, Floofers, and Trusted House Sitters, who will feed their pets, take them for walks, and ensure they stay safe in your absence.  

“What still isn't easily available, even in a city like Mumbai, is specialised pet care. As Simba's early-onset arthritis progressed, we struggled to find physiotherapists or hydrotherapy centres nearby and ended up travelling two to two-and-a-half hours every weekend, where the expertise and infrastructure were available”, Alankrita Khera weighs in.  

Tier 2 and 3 cities also lack pet-friendly public spaces, cafes, hotels, and transport options. “Here in Indore, we don’t really have dedicated pet parks or pet-friendly cafes. We usually take our dogs, Nattu and Jugnu, who are 11 and 9 respectively, for walks in nearby open areas. Now that they are older, they enjoy staying at home, playing different games on our terrace, and getting pampered by oil massages once or twice a month,” explains Sneha K.

The pet care infrastructure in Tier 2 and 3 cities is growing rapidly through digital retail, courtesy of online sales and quick commerce platforms. In comparison, physical hubs and advanced veterinary clinics are slower to catch up. Given the spending capacity and demand, it may only be a matter of time before pet-friendly offerings start filling the gap.