國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K986: 印度「毛孩」熱：七十億美元的革命 India's Pet Boom: The $7 Billion "Fur Baby" Revolution

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K986: India's Pet Boom: The $7 Billion "Fur Baby" Revolution

本集跟讀內容來自VIP會員許願，感謝 Zona ！

Highlights 主題摘要：

• India's pet industry is growing fast, with pet numbers increasing from 26 million to 32 million in just five years.
• Many Indian couples see their pets as family members, spending large amounts of money on premium food and special travel arrangements.
• The pet care market in India is expected to reach $7 billion by 2028, creating many new business opportunities.

India's pet care industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, transforming from a niche market for the elite into a thriving sector serving millions of middle-class families. Pet ownership has surged dramatically, with household pets increasing from 26 million in 2019 to 32 million in 2024. This remarkable expansion reflects a fundamental shift in how Indians perceive their animal companions, with industry experts projecting the market will exceed $7 billion by 2028—nearly doubling its current value of $3.6 billion and representing a significant evolution in consumer spending patterns.

印度的寵物護理產業正經歷前所未有的成長，從僅服務菁英的小眾市場轉變為服務數百萬中產階級家庭的蓬勃產業。寵物的擁有率大幅攀升，家庭寵物數量從2019年的2,600萬增加到2024年的3,200萬。這顯著的擴張反映了印度人對待伴侶動物觀念的根本轉變，產業專家預測市場規模將在2028年超過70億美元——幾乎是目前36億美元價值的兩倍，代表消費模式的重大演變。

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed this transformation, creating an intense desire for companionship during periods of isolation. Young professionals, first-time homeowners, and couples without children have all contributed to this rising trend. For Mumbai entrepreneur Neha Bapna, her Shih Tzu Muffin is nothing less than family. She spends between 25,000 and 40,000 rupees monthly on premium food, first-class train travel, and pet-friendly accommodations. "He is my child," she explains, "I do not want him to have any trouble." This sentiment represents a growing phenomenon where pets receive care typically reserved for children, with many owners identifying themselves as "pet parents" rather than simply pet owners.

新冠疫情催化了這項轉變，在隔離期間創造了對陪伴的強烈渴望。年輕的專業人士、首次買房者和無生育規劃的夫妻都助長了這個上升趨勢。對孟買企業家妮哈・巴普納（Neha Bapna）來說，她的西施犬瑪芬（Muffin）無異於家人。她每月花費25,000至40,000盧比在高級食品、頭等艙火車旅行和寵物友善住宿上。「他是我的孩子，」她解釋道，「我不希望他有任何麻煩。」這種情感代表著一種日益普遍的現象，寵物獲得的照顧與通常保留給小孩的待遇相近，許多擁有者將自己視為「毛孩父母」而非僅僅是寵物飼主。

This changing dynamic mirrors broader social shifts occurring across urban India, including delayed marriages, smaller family units, and evolving social norms. Delhi couple Nikhil Bhushan and Lakshna Gulati, who have chosen not to have biological children, find fulfillment through their rescued pets—a dog named Mowgli and a cat named Marmalade. "When we got married five years ago, we weren't ready to have children," explains Bhushan, "but soon after rescuing the pets, our house truly became a home." This perspective is increasingly common, with approximately 56% of Indian pet owners now considering their pets as legitimate family members according to recent market research.

這種變化反映了印度城市地區正在發生更廣泛社會轉變，包括晚婚、小家庭和不斷演變的社會規範。德里夫婦尼基爾・布沙恩（Nikhil Bhushan）和拉克什納・古拉蒂（Lakshna Gulati）選擇不生育，通過他們收養的寵物——一隻名為毛克利（Mowgli）的狗和一隻名為橘子醬（Marmalade）的貓——找到了滿足感。「當我們五年前結婚時，我們還沒準備好要孩子，」布沙恩解釋道，「但收養寵物後不久，我們的房子真正成為了家。」根據最近的市場研究，這種觀點越來越普遍，約56%的印度寵物飼主現在將寵物視為可接受的家庭成員。

The industry's expansion has created abundant business opportunities across multiple segments, from premium nutrition and designer accessories to specialized services including pet boarding, insurance, and advanced veterinary care. Companies like Zigly report impressive 7-10% month-over-month growth, while more affordable brands like The Pet Point have emerged to serve budget-conscious consumers. The market is particularly vibrant in digital commerce, with quick-delivery platforms like Zepto and Blinkit reporting substantial increases in pet product sales. Despite this momentum, challenges persist—including economic inequality, limited pet-friendly public spaces, and insufficient transportation options. Nevertheless, the trajectory remains decidedly positive, with pet-friendly infrastructure steadily improving across major urban centers. As Bapna observes with optimism, "When I first got Muffin in 2021, there were very few pet-friendly places and activities. But now in Mumbai, there are special events, resorts, and cafes that welcome pets."

寵物產業的擴張在多個領域創造了豐富的商機，從高級營養和設計師配飾到專業服務，包括寵物寄宿、保險和先進的獸醫護理。像吉格利（Zigly）這樣的公司報告了令人印象深刻的7-10%月環比（月份營收）增長，而更實惠的品牌如寵物點（The Pet Point）也已出現，為預算有限的消費者提供服務。市場在數位商務方面特別活躍，像澤普托（Zepto）和布林基特（Blinkit）這樣的快速配送平台的報告顯示寵物產品銷售大幅增加。儘管有這樣的趨勢，挑戰仍然存在——包括經濟不平等、有限的寵物友善公共空間和不足的交通選擇。然而，發展軌跡仍然顯現正向成長，寵物友善基礎設施在主要城市中心穩步改善。正如巴普納樂觀地觀察到的，「當我在2021年剛開始養瑪芬時，幾乎沒有寵物友善的場所和活動。但現在在孟買，有特別的活動、度假村和咖啡廳歡迎寵物。」

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

1. Thriving [adjective. growing or developing well and successfully]: India's pet care industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, transforming from a niche market for the elite into a thriving sector serving millions of middle-class families.
2. Accommodations [noun. places to stay or live]: She spends between 25,000 and 40,000 rupees monthly on premium food, first-class train travel, and pet-friendly accommodations.
3. Marriages [noun. the legal union of two people as partners in a relationship]: This changing dynamic mirrors broader social shifts occurring across urban India, including delayed marriages, smaller family units, and evolving social norms.
4. Marmalade [noun. a cat's name in this article; normally a sweet food made from fruit and sugar]: Delhi couple Nikhil Bhushan and Lakshna Gulati find fulfillment through their rescued pets—a dog named Mowgli and a cat named Marmalade.
5. Trajectory [noun. the path or direction that something takes]: Despite this momentum, challenges persist, but the trajectory remains decidedly positive, with pet-friendly infrastructure steadily improving across major urban centers.

Reference article:
1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjdvzyppyno
2. https://tgmresearch.com/india-pet-care-sector-trends-opportunities-2025.html