India, June 13 -- W e're already spoiling pets with their own cars, bedrooms, and wardrobes full of accessories. On Insta, @XingsWorld is setting new cat-parent goals by building a mini metropolis (functional subway station, a supermarket, even a MeowDonald's) for his cats. It was only a matter of time before pets got human-style, gourmet menus. At The Pet People Cafe in Bengaluru, it's possible to share your tuna pupcake; or a glazed carob and peanut butter chicken and egg pupcake with your little doggo. In the UK, at cocktail bars such as Smith & Whistle, canines who accompany the patrons can get the Poochie Pinot or Doggie Perignon (made from herbal infusions and fresh chicken or beef broth) alongside some premium jerky. In February, the Marriott hotel in Whitefield, Bengaluru, hosted a Pawsome Sundowner, at which 32 dogs indulged in a buffet by chef Gaurav Paul. The spread featured biryani, pumpkin and coconut cheesecake, and galauti kebabs made from kidney beans and coconut oil. Humans were confused about which buffet counter was meant for them. "An older gentleman came up to me and complimented me on the food, saying it suited him well, because he couldn't tolerate spice, but that the food was missing salt," claims Paul. For special occasions, pet parents are ordering from pet-patisseries as well. "I get calls from children saying, 'It's my brother's birthday', or senior citizens calling to say it's their 'grandson's birthday'. They're referring to their pets," says Khushi Bhutani, 25. She runs Furry Baker in Delhi, creating vet- approved, gluten-free, sugar-free cakes. Her recipes replace refined flour with doggie-digestion-friendly oatmeal, rice flour, coconut flour and quinoa. The frosting is made from Greek yoghurt rather than cream, and the dyes are made with beetroot, spinach and blueberry extract instead of artificial food colouring. Dogs and cats have survived on leftovers and stayed loyal to humans for centuries. So, why do Parle-G or raw fish scraps not make the cut anymore? It's because how we see pets has dramatically shifted. Food photographer Simran Punjabi, 23, has a six-year-old Shih Tzu. "Nifty is not just a dog. She's family. She's my baby," she says. So, Nifty enjoys coconut water, chaas, fruit and egg whites. For dinner, she gets mutton and organs, cooked in vegetable broth with quinoa. Punjabi also shares dog-friendly recipes such as sweet-potato-and-carrot chaat and oat-flour egg noodles on her Instagram @NiftyInANutshell. "I don't see a distinction between caring for my parents and caring for Nifty," she says. Data from Redseer Strategy Consultants indicates that India's pet population grew from 26 million in 2019 to 32 million in 2024, with nearly 6 lakh adoptions recorded in 2023 alone. Mumbai-based Nayan Shah, 38, founder of pet-food company PetChef, says this reflects most clearly in how people feed their animals. The furry new additions to the family are there to fuss over, not to guard the home or keep mice away. Even commercial pet food is no longer good enough. Kibble has been known to trigger skin infections and bloating. And pet parents, who are eating cleaner and healthier anyway, are more likely to set the same standard for their animals. Gourmet pet food has an added advantage: Better digestion, and thus low-odour poops. None of this is cheap. Punjabi estimates she spends close to Rs.10,000 a month on Nifty's food and supplements alone. The food bill for a pet's birthday party, with other furry guests, can cost Rs.25,000. Shah explains why a pet-meal subscription is so popular: "Feeding the same food regularly helps a dog's gut bacteria adapt, which supports digestion and overall gut health. While people can eat a wide variety of foods, dogs benefit more from consistency." The hope is that small-batch gourmet pet food does not cut corners the way mass-produced companies have done. In the United States, pet foods are guided by nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which establishes nutrient profiles, ingredient definitions and labelling guidelines. In Europe, manufacturers follow standards issued by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), which covers nutritional adequacy, ingredient safety and manufacturing practices. The UK additionally regulates pet food under animal-feed legislation that governs everything from hygiene and traceability to product claims. India has no pet-food regulator. The guidelines set by the Bureau of Indian Standards are not binding, leaving consumers to rely largely on customers' due diligence. So that pawella and mewsli may sound cute, but whether it's good for your little one is anyone's guess....