Care products,services for pets in Diwali

As they prepare for Diwali festivities,pet owners may find it hard to resist from indulging their pets with expensive gifts and lavish retreats adding sparkle to the already expanding pet care industry.

As they prepare for Diwali festivities,pet owners may find it hard to resist from indulging their pets with expensive gifts and lavish retreats adding sparkle to the already expanding pet care industry.

From water-proof beds made in Korea that cost anywhere between Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to soothing aromatherapy massages that can cost up to Rs 700 per session,pet 8216;parents8217; are now spoilt for choice to add to their shopping list during the festive season.

8220;Today,a dog is not a dog. It8217;s a family member. New dresses need to be bought,new beds need to be taken for it on Diwali,8221; says Mohan Kadam,who runs Windsor 8212; The Pet Shop in Khan Market for the past 20 years.

Sanjeev Kumar of pet grooming salon Scoopy Scrub,says 8220;overall,there would be 20 per cent jump in sale of pet care products and accessories during Diwali.8221;

Started six years ago,his salon has services like colouring with herbal based colours,styling,accessorising and basic pet hygiene,without causing harm to the pets.

8220;They pet owners don8217;t want a dirty looking dog running around the house when they have parties during this time,8221; says Sudhir Sharma of Petland in Defence Colony who sees an approximate jump of 25 to 30 per cent in sale of pet products and grooming bookings during Diwali.

Being in the business for seven years now,Sharma says an extendable dog leash made in Germany can cost from Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,800 and it 8220;sells right away8221;.

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Also,most customers do not prefer China made goods as they think these are 8220;harmful for pets8221;.

8220;We do sell stuff during Diwali because that8217;s also the same time when the winter coat collection comes in8230; It8217;s like you buy a new outfit for a new season,8221; says Sharma who has also introduced 8216;baskets8217; for pets for the festival.

Those in the business say that clients go in for such things even though pampering has its costs.

8220;Any period of time when there is celebration in the air,they would want to do a little bit extra,off the regular thing,8221; says Kumar.

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Entrepreneurs too have set their sights on the industry which is still in its infancy in the country.

8220;It was only a matter of time before someone looked at introducing Indian pet owners to brands available abroad,8221; says Raghav Modi,CEO of Petsetgo,a distributor company of pet products of top international brands like Kong,Isle of Dogs,Hunter,Furminator and Durapet.

8220;Reasons such as double income households,more nuclear families,companionship were important factors in our decision making process to bring in pet care brands,8221; he adds.