Pets are moving beyond companionship in urban Bangladesh, forming a fast-growing consumer economy spanning food, healthcare, breeding, boarding and digital services.
Dogs, cats, ornamental birds and other companion animals are driving what industry participants describe as the country’s “pet economy,” supported by urbanisation, lifestyle changes, nuclear families and stronger emotional attachment to animals.
A research paper titled The Evolving Paradigm of Pet Animal Rearing in Bangladesh by Dr Md A Saleque, chief technical advisor at ACI Animal Health, estimates the industry at more than Tk230 crore annually, growing 10–15 per cent a year.
The study estimates Bangladesh has about 1.7 million dogs and 4 million cats. Of these, around 564,848 cats are kept as pets. It also finds nearly 90 per cent of pet owners keep cats, reflecting their dominance in urban households, particularly in apartments where space constraints shape pet choice.
Industry participants say the actual market is likely significantly larger than formal estimates, as a substantial share of transactions through social media, informal breeding, boarding facilities and small businesses is not captured in official data.
Pet food accounts for 57 per cent of the industry, followed by medicines at 19 per cent, pet litter at 16 per cent, vaccines at 7 per cent and other products at 1 per cent, according to the study.
Zeba, owner of Catelyn Pet Shop, said demand has risen sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic. “Since the pandemic, the overall pet business has nearly doubled,” she said.
She said about 80 per cent of pet owners keep cats, while dogs account for 10 per cent and birds and other pets the rest. Roughly half her sales come from pet food, with the rest from litter, accessories, toys, shampoos and medicines.
The market includes local brands such as Chunk and Oscis alongside imported labels including SmartHeart, Reflex, Kaniva, Wanpy, Jungle and Easa.
Pet shops in areas such as Uttara and Dakshinkhan have risen from about five to ten earlier to around 15 to 20 now, she said.
She added the sector remains heavily import dependent, making it vulnerable to exchange rate swings and shipping costs.
“Prices of pet food, litter and other imported products have increased considerably over the past few years due to the depreciation of the taka and higher shipping expenses,” she said.
She estimates economic activity around pets could exceed Tk150 crore when including boarding, breeders, online businesses and informal operators.
Imported and pedigree pets are among the fastest-growing segments.
Traders say prices of imported or pedigree dogs range from Tk8,000 to Tk150,000 depending on breed, age, health and lineage.
Popular breeds include German Spitz, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Dachshund, German Shepherd and Siberian Husky.
Siberian Huskies sell at Tk50,000 to Tk150,000, while German Shepherds start at around Tk16,000.
The pedigree cat market has expanded, with prices ranging from Tk10,000 to Tk150,000.
Industry participants say breeding has become a significant income source, with some earning Tk500,000 to Tk2.2 million a year from breeding and sales.
Katabon and Mirpur remain key physical hubs, while Facebook groups and online marketplaces have become major transaction channels.
Pet products and animals are increasingly traded through social media, enabling businesses to reach customers outside Dhaka.
Industry stakeholders say this has widened access but also increased informal transactions not captured in official data.
Rising pet ownership has driven demand for boarding and foster-care services.
Operators include Cherry Foster Home, Care For Paws Home, Rescue Paws Home, Cats of Dhaka, Cat Boarding House, Amader Pet Foster, Yumiki Cat Boarding, Uttara Pet Carer and Grooming Center, Trust Pet Care, Cat Boarding in Home and Adinoor.
Farhan Khan, owner of Cherry Foster Home, said the facility houses more than 70 cats.
He said monthly charges are Tk7,500 per cat and daily boarding costs Tk400.
“We receive inquiries almost every day from pet owners looking for boarding services,” he said.
He added that 19 cats in the facility have effectively been abandoned, with the centre bearing ongoing costs for food, treatment and care.
He said demand remains strong enough to keep the business viable despite pressure.
Pet ownership growth has increased demand for veterinary care, including vaccination, surgery, diagnostics and specialised treatment.
According to Dr Saleque’s research, Bangladesh has more than 225 pet clinics and thousands of retail outlets serving the sector.
Industry participants say pet owners are increasingly willing to spend on healthcare, reflecting a shift toward treating pets as family members.
The ornamental bird segment remains smaller but active, particularly in Katabon where around 30 to 35 bird shops operate.
A pair of lovebirds sells for Tk4,000 to Tk12,000, compared with around Tk3,000 earlier. Cockatiels range from Tk3,000 to Tk6,000, while a pair costs around Tk10,000. Premium budgerigar pairs can reach Tk12,000.
Nur Alam, a bird trader, said margins range from 20 per cent to 50 per cent but costs have risen significantly.
He said feed prices have climbed since the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted global supply chains, with wheat, corn and sunflower seed prices up 15 to 40 per cent globally.
Despite growth, the sector faces challenges including import dependence, limited veterinary manpower, rising costs and lack of consolidated industry data.
Entrepreneurs see opportunities in local production of pet food, accessories and healthcare products alongside expansion of urban services.
Industry participants say continued urbanisation and changing household structures will support further growth.
From pet food and healthcare to boarding, breeding and e-commerce, Bangladesh’s pet economy is emerging as a distinct consumer market shaped by rising spending, informal networks and expanding digital platforms.
