India’s dog-loving capital is not Delhi or Mumbai — The winner may surprise you

India's relationship with its pets is changing fast and becoming much more indulgent. A report by Swiggy's quick commerce platform Instamart revealed that Indian pet parents are truly taking care of their fur babies — from grain-free meals and gourmet treats to premium grooming kits and specialised nutrition.

The report, based on an analysis of Instamart orders placed between June 2025 and June 2026 across more than 130 Indian cities, reported a massive 41% growth in pet care orders on Instamart.

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

Cat vs Dog: The Great Divide

Settling the ultimate dog-versus-cat debate, the Instamart data showed that India is undeniably having a “cat moment”.

Cat food made up nearly 60% of all pet food demand on the Qcom platform, making it the single most-searched pet term. But this feline loyalty is fiercely regional:

While Mumbai takes the overall crown as the cat capital, Kolkata stands out with a unique identity: it is India's most fiercely cat-dominated city. More than 8 in 10 cat-and-dog food orders in Kolkata go exclusively to cats.

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

Pampering capitals: Who spoils their pets most?

The rivalry isn't just about species; it is a battle of 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 toward treats, toys, and premium products, making it India's undisputed pet-pampering capital. However, Gurugram, Noida, and Hyderabad were also close on their heels.

When looking specifically at snacking, Gurugram topped India's Pet Treat Index, with 37 treat orders per 100 food orders.

Pet indulgence is going mainstream everywhere: searches for treats, from dog biscuits and jerky to dog ice cream, are climbing rapidly. Dog ice cream searches are up 245%, and top protein-rich pet treat brands have surged a massive 1,097%.

Yet, Instamart found the ultimate flex of individual pet-parenting identity in Delhi — home to India's most dedicated spender. This single user spent an astonishing ₹60,957 on pet care in just one year.

Basket glow-up

Across all competing cities, the pet food bowl is getting a serious glow-up. Grooming is going mainstream, with "dog shampoo" reigning as the platform's fastest-growing pet search term, up nearly 600%, the report found.

Premium nutrition showed no signs of slowing down:

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

Dark Horses

While cats and dogs dominate the city rivalries, alternative pets are carving out their own space. Instamart report recorded 178% year-on-year increase in bird food, with rabbit food close behind at 130% growth.

The Underdogs: Tier II cities take over

While Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi battle for the top lifestyle spots, the real headline is happening elsewhere. Pet care isn't a metro-only story anymore.

From Guwahati to Tirupati, pet parenting is going mainstream. Tier II+ cities posted an incredible 96% year-on-year growth in pet care orders, outpacing the metros.

Fastest-Growing Pet Care Markets:

Guwahati: +1,473%

Dibrugarh: +796%

Meerut: +677%

Madurai: +591%

Kottayam: +577%

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

According to the Instamart report, every single one of the top 25 fastest-growing pet-care cities in India grew by more than 50% year-on-year. The metros might hold the identity of "capitals" for now, but the smaller cities are rapidly claiming the future of India's pet care economy.