The dog-loving capital of India isn’t Delhi or Mumbai — The winner might surprise you | Today’s news

India’s attitude towards pets is rapidly changing and becoming much more forgiving. From grain-free meals and gourmet treats to premium body care kits and specialized nutrition, Indian pet parents really care about their fur babies, a report by fast-commerce platform Instamart Swiggy has revealed.

Based on an analysis of Instamart orders placed between June 2025 and June 2026 in over 130 Indian cities, the report reported a massive 41% increase in pet care orders on Instamart.

As shoppers have gone beyond the basics and started treating their pets’ wellness like their own, fascinating urban rivalries and regional identities have also emerged in the data.

Read also | Tier II cities experience 200% faster growth in protein demand than metros

Cat vs Dog: The Great Divide

Settling the ultimate dog versus cat debate, Instamart data showed that India is undeniably having a ‘cat moment’.

Cat food accounted for nearly 60% of all pet food demand on the Qcom platform, making it the single most searched term for pets. But this feline loyalty is strongly regional:

The Feline Front (Top Cat Cities)The Canine Crew1. Mumbai (Cat Capital of India)1. Bengaluru (most dog loving)2. Bengaluru2. Hyderabad 3. Chennai3. Mumbai 4. Kolkata4. Chennai 5. Delhi

While Mumbai takes the overall crown as the cat capital, Kolkata stands out with a unique identity: it’s India’s fiercest cat-dominated city. More than 8 out of 10 cat and dog food orders in Kolkata are exclusively for cats.

Meanwhile, across the country, Bengaluru proudly defends its title as India’s most dog-loving city.

Read also | Why the rainy season can be risky for pets and how to prevent common problems

Pampering capitals: Who pampers their pets the most?

The rivalry isn’t just about species; it’s a battle for indulgence.

According to the Instamart report, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi were the biggest pet care markets overall, but Silicon Valley took the absolute prize for luxury.

Bengaluru has the most pampered pets in India. Nearly 66% of all pet care spending in the city goes on treats, toys and premium products, making it the undisputed pet pampering capital of India. However, Gurugram, Noida and Hyderabad were also hot on their heels.

Looking specifically at snacking, Gurugram topped India’s Pet Treat Index with 37 treat orders per 100 food orders.

Pet indulgence is becoming mainstream everywhere: searches for treats, from dog biscuits and jerky to dog ice cream, are on the rise. Dog ice cream searches are up 245% and leading protein-rich pet treat brands are up a massive 1,097%.

Yet Instamart has found the perfect flex of individual parental identity in Delhi – home to India’s most dedicated spender. This single user spent incredible ₹60,957 for pet care in just one year.

The basket lights up

In all competitive cities, the pet food bowl will seriously light up. Grooming is going mainstream, with “dog shampoo” reigning as the fastest-growing search query on the pet platform, up nearly 600%, a report says.

Premium Nutrition showed no signs of slowing down:

• Grain-free pet food grew 152% year over year, making it the fastest growing nutrition segment.
• Wet food now accounts for nearly 45% of all pet food orders.
• Wellness: Pet accessories and wellness products grew by 42%.

Read also | Animal emergency or minor problem? How to know when you need to rush to the vet

Dark horse

While cats and dogs dominate the urban rivalry, alternative pets are carving out their own space. The Instamart report saw a 178% year-on-year increase in bird feed, with rabbit feed close behind with a 130% increase.

The Underdogs: Tier II cities take over

While Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi battle it out for the top spots in the lifestyle space, the real headlines are happening elsewhere. Pet care is no longer just a subway story.

From Guwahati to Tirupati, pet parenting has become mainstream. Tier II+ cities saw a whopping 96% year-over-year increase in pet care orders, outperforming metropolitan areas.

Fastest growing pet care markets:

Guwahati: +1,473%

Rajkot, Patna, Siliguri and Tirupati are right behind them as the next wave of booming market.

According to the Instamart report, each of the 25 fastest growing pet care cities in India grew by more than 50% year-on-year. For now, the metros may be holding on to their ‘capital cities’ identity, but smaller cities are fast claiming the future of India’s pet care economy.