This story is from March 28, 2024

What's making gourmet pet treats a hit?

Shourya Jha / TNN / Updated: Apr 23, 2024, 13:30 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Remember when the birthday cake was just for humans? Well, move over frosting-covered cupcakes, because our furry friends are getting in on the celebration game too! And just generic dog biscuits? No! Today, pet parents in India are increasingly pampering their pooches with gourmet treats and cakes, made with love and the finest ingredients. Pet bakeries meet the rising demand for gourmet pet treats by focusing on pet health, customization, and allergen-free products. They offer a variety of treats, including cakes, ice creams, and jerky treats, while providing consumption guidelines based on breed size.

Sonali, a pet bakery owner, making pupcake (Location: PetFeast) (Image: Shashank Sane)

Who doesn't love pampering their pet babies and celebrating them on special days? Helping pet parents do that are dedicated pet bakeries that have popped up in cities, thanks to a rise in demand for gourmet pet treats. With the pet food market expected to grow by 12.63% in 2024, according to Statista, here's looking at what's making pet bakeries and their gourmet treats tick among pet parents.

What are pet parents looking for?

“With heightened awareness of pet health and nutrition, pet parents choose Bombay Barkers because our treats are preservative free and all natural. The bakery priorities high quality and wholesome ingredients that align with the increasing emphasis on providing pets with nutritionally balanced options," said Shahzen Davar, owner of Bombay Barkers
Customisation, and portion control are other popular aspects. "Innovative designs in cakes are sought after, besides return gifts for pets at parties," said Sonal Zalkikar, who runs PetFeast.

Pet cakes, treats, and cupcakes are seeing rise

Pupcake and dog tiffins (Location: PetFeast) (Image: Shashank Sane)

“We have been ordering cakes for Zoey for four years. Earlier we had limited options, but now there are customisations available too. We look for fresh treats rather than packaged and processed ones"

Sakshi Agarwal, 31, Gurugram-based pet parent

Why the buzz?

*Awareness of pet health, nutrition
*Rise in pet-related content on social media
*Festive season gifting and customisation

As shared by

pet bakers

109492544

109525731

What can you order?

Cakes, dairy-free ice creams, jerky treats, pizzas, donuts, pies, waffles, madeleines, gajar halwa, Bento Boxes with seekh kebabs, meat broth, and cheesy rice balls. “Just make sure that the products don’t contain anything that’s harmful, including allergens,” said Ruhee Upadhyay, owner of Barkery by Ruhee.

Pet parents look for healthy treats and cakes

Rio with the treats and cupcakes (Location: PetFeast) (Image: Shashank Sane)

The global pet snacks and treats market size accounted for USD 37.9 billion in 2022 and it is anticipated to hit around USD 123.2 billion by 2032, poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2023 to 2032. - Precedence Research

The India Pet Food Market size is estimated at USD 0.85 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.87 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.08% during the forecast period (2024-2029). -Modor Intelligence

“Our pups love to have pupcakes, ice creams, pizzas. We order them at least once or twice a month. Our cats are fond of fresh tuna and prawns treats”

Akanksha Sinha, 26, Bengaluru-based pet parent

To keep in mind:
“Pet treats and snacks should only make up 10% of their entire food consumption in a day. On an average, a breed weighing less than 10kgs can have three-four biscuits in a day, a larger breed - up to 20 kgs - can have seven-eight” - Dr Deesha, a Pune-based veterinarian

“Ordering a cake is a must for birthdays. It's also a tradition to order Lucie a pizza when I have one, which is at least once a month.”

Krishita Singh, 29, Delhi based pet parent

End of Article