1 Essential Pets Industry Story for Professionals

The Indian pet food market is heating up, and this week's biggest story shows why media monitoring is essential for staying ahead. According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting has entered the pet food segment with its new brand Snuggles. This move by a major FMCG player signals a significant shift in the pet industry landscape.

1. Wipro Launches Snuggles Dog Food in India

Mintwas the first to report last November about the Bengaluru-based company’s plans to enter the category. Snuggles will first launch in Hyderabad, where pet penetration exceeds 2O%, more than double the national average of 8-lO%, said Anil Chugh, president of the foods business and chief operating officer of new business at Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting. India’s pet count expanded from 28.4: million to 39.2 million between 2O2O and 2O25, growing at 26.6% annual rate, says Euromonitor. The is pro-jected to grow 5.7% annually to 5l8 million pets by 2O3O, Dogs accounted for the Wipro targets a top-three spot, focussing on 3O-35 cities, Snuggles enters at 53O a kg, above mass-market rivals such as Drools, Waggies and Godrej Ninja but below premium brands. 4O-45% in China and as much as 7O% in the US, he added, Pet food will operate as a separate vertical within Wipro Consumer, backed by a dedicated R&D facility in Bengaluru. The firm also plans to enter the cat food market with new formats and innovations as it expands the portfolio. The move comes as large FMCG firms move deeper into amarket dominated by global playerssuch as Mars and Nestle. Godrej Consumer Products entered the segment in April 2O25 with Godrej Ninja, pricing its adult-dog food at 3239 perkgand puppy bulk of the popu- A food at %259 per oa. pee: a kg, while targetlion in 2O25, cor midlas ing a 5OO crore pet-food market business within three years.

Why it matters: Wipro's entry validates the rapid growth of India's pet food market, which is projected to grow at 5.7% annually to reach 518 million pets by 2030. The company targets a top-three position, focusing on 30-35 cities.

Key detail: Snuggles dry dog food is priced at Rs 530 per kg, positioned between mass-market and premium brands. The launch city is Hyderabad, where pet penetration exceeds 20% — more than double the national average.

Source: The story was covered by Mint (front page), Financial Express (front page), Business Standard, and Free Press Journal, making it the most widely covered pet industry story of the day.

Next step: This development underscores the importance of print media monitoring for anyone tracking the FMCG and pet sectors. As more players enter, staying informed through a dedicated press review is crucial.

Closing: What does this mean for existing pet food brands like Mars and Nestle? How will veterinary professionals and pet store owners adapt? Share your perspective.

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