Food MArketing & Technology In India CC for web-HIgh Res | Page 26

Feline Matter
feeding machines as well as cameras that
help the pet owner to connect with their
pets when they are away from home.
Cat Grooming and Spas
Th e rise in demand of cat grooming has
furnished a huge scope to manufacturers
to explore new opportunities in the fi eld of
grooming products and services.
Many pet spas and salons have opened
across India in response to growing interest
in pet grooming among pet owners.
Much of this stems from the ongoing pet
humanisation trend, where pets are treated
as part of the family.
Cosmetic products and cat accessories
such as toys and apparel are gaining
significance and are becoming more
widely available via online platforms
such as Amazon and Flipkart
Owners progressively monitor their cats’
health through regular visits to veterinary
clinics and take advice on adopting the
correct diet for their cats to prolong their
healthy lifespan. Dietary supplements can
improve the quality of life and extend life
expectancy, especially those that target
particular health problems such as gut
health, liver and bone strength. Th ey can
also help to develop their immune systems
against the most common ailments. Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary clinics remain the most
important channel for sales of pet products,
especially cat healthcare and dietary
supplements. Younger generations are fully
embracing pets as part of their family. Th ey
also regularly take their cats to veterinary
clinics to have them examined and take
advice on healthcare and dietary needs.
Awareness regarding feline diseases and
infections has increased among the vets
with the growing number of cats visiting
their clinics. Th e focus in the near future
should be on establishing specialised
clinics, which would cater to the critical and
specifi c health related aspects of the cat.
Cat Accessories
Cosmetic products and cat accessories such
as toys and apparel are gaining signifi cance
and are becoming more widely available
via online platforms such as Amazon and
Flipkart. Technology Driven Products
Leveraging on technology can help industry
players boost sales of other cat products as
many such devices help take care of cats.
Examples of smart cat products include
GPS-enabled tags, leashes and smart
interested in skin supplements and products
infused with vitamins as well as Omega-3
and Omega-6 amino acids that are good for
the wellbeing of their cats.
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Creature Companion | August 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 8 • Noida
Conclusion
A large number of people buy specifi c
breeds as status symbols, and want their cats
to look the best. Leading manufacturers of
cat food, in association with animal welfare
organisations like Th e Feline Club of India,
sponsor and organise cat shows, exhibitions
and similar events in the country’s major
cities, where all the latest pet products
are showcased. Overall, the cat grooming
products category is expected to continue
performing well during the forecast period
as cat owners are likely to be increasingly
infl uenced by Western culture.
Th ere is increasing awareness among cat
parents owing to the eff orts of the Feline
Club of India which regularly conducts
educational seminars and conventions
on cat health, management, nutrition
and diseases by prominent experts from
around the world such as Allan Raymond
(Australia), Douglas Myers (USA), Dr.
Martina Naceradska (Czech Republic), Dr.
Anthony Zambeli (South Africa), Adilah
Roose (Malaysia).
* Saquib Pathan is the President and Founder
Member of the Feline Club of India (FCI).