In conversation with Neti Patel, Head – Dairy Nutrition, Petcare & Naturals at Zenex Animal Health, she delves into how a 60-year legacy in livestock health shaped a dedicated companion-animal vertical.
Question– Zenex has a 60+ year legacy rooted in livestock and poultry health as a legacy of innovation, trust, and commitment to better animal healthcare. What prompted the company to have a separate division on companion animal Pawphilia?
At Zenex, our passion for pets and the pet-care segment has always been strong. However, we felt the need to engage more dedicatedly with the stakeholders of this fast-evolving ecosystem. With over 60 years of animal-healthcare experience, we recognized the changing needs and critical gaps within the growing companion-animal space. This made it the right time for us to support the pet-care fraternity in a more focused way. PawPhilia – a dedicated vertical for Companion Care was created to bring together Zenex’s legacy, scientific expertise and compassion, with a dedicated focus on pet health, wellness, and responsible companion-animal care.
Question- Your Companion Care range blends traditional ayurveda with modern pet care needs. Can you walk us through benefits of ayurveda for dogs and cats?
Ayurveda brings a holistic and preventive approach to pet wellness. It can support key areas such as skin and coat health, digestion, liver function, immunity, joint mobility and overall vitality in dogs and cats. Zenex also has the strong backing of a dedicated and fully equipped Ayurvedic R&D setup at Baddi. Our approach is to blend the time-tested wisdom of Ayurveda with modern formulation science and veterinary understanding, so that we can offer responsible, safe and relevant pet-care solutions for today’s companion-animal needs.
Question-Pawphilia has completed two years. How has the journey been so far?
The journey has been both exciting and encouraging. Over the past two years, our focus has been on building trust across the key stakeholders of the pet-care ecosystem, starting with practising veterinarians and pet parents. We have also worked to strengthen our market presence and establish PawPhilia as a credible and caring companion-animal healthcare brand from Zenex. These two years have helped us create a strong foundation, and we are now well positioned for the next phase of growth.
Question-How many products do you have and tell us briefly about a few important ones?
Today, PawPhilia has a growing portfolio of more than 40 brands addressing important companion-animal health and wellness needs. Our focus is not simply on adding products, but on creating relevant solutions that deliver meaningful value to practising veterinarians and pet parents.
Question-You have been in the Pet Industry for a long time. What are the key reasons for the growth of this sector?
The biggest driver of growth in the pet care sector is pet humanisation. The perspective of pet ownership has evolved significantly, moving beyond safety and security to companionship and emotional bonding. Today, both dogs and cats are increasingly being considered integral members of the family, which has led to greater attention to their health, nutrition and overall well-being. In addition, rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanization, the growth of nuclear families, increased awareness about preventive healthcare, and the expansion of veterinary and pet-retail infrastructure are further accelerating thedevelopment of the companion animal market.
Question- India still has low pet population penetration compared to the small countries around. Give us 5 to 6 points on how to increase pet population per household?
While India continues to see a significant increase in first-time pet parents, a large proportion of this growth is driven by impulse adoption / pet owners. The long-term success of the companion animal sector will depend on converting impulsive pet owners into responsible pet parents who understand the commitment, care, and lifestyle changes that come with pet ownership.
Awareness and education are therefore critical. Many pet parents today have limited access to reliable information and often rely on their own human experiences and assumptions while caring for pets. However, the nutritional, healthcare, behavioral, and emotional needs of dogs and cats are very different from those of humans, making informed pet parenting essential.
Another important requirement is the availability of integrated pet-care ecosystems that support pet parents throughout their journey.
Access to trusted platforms offering personalized nutrition guidance, preventive healthcare, grooming solutions, behavioral support, and training services can significantly improve pet well-being and strengthen the bond between pets and their families.
At the same time, expanding veterinary and pet-care infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities will play a key role in broadening access to quality pet-care services. By combining education, accessibility, and ecosystem development, the industry can encourage responsible pet ownership and create sustainable growth for the companion animal sector in India.
Question-What are you plans for the next five years?
Over the next five years, our focus will be on expanding our portfolio with innovative and relevant solutions, strengthening engagement with veterinarians, broadening our geographical presence, and building deeper connections with pet parents. As the companion animal healthcare market continues to evolve, we see tremendous opportunities to support responsible pet parenting through science-backed products, education, and holistic wellness solutions. Our ambition is to establish Zenex as a trusted and differentiated companion animal healthcare brand that not only addresses the health and wellness needs of pets, but also partners with veterinarians and pet parents in creating better outcomes for companion animals. We aim to be a brand driven by science, strengthened by trust, and inspired by our genuine love for pets and the families that care for them.