Pet Food Brand Dogsee Chew Raises $8 Mn To Scale Global Operations

Bengaluru-based pet food brand Dogsee Chew has secured $8 Mn (INR 69.4 Cr) in a Series B funding round led by Ektha.com, with participation from Shivanssh Holdings and Poddar Family office.

The natural pet treat maker will use the capital to expand its manufacturing capabilities and firm up its presence in international markets, particularly in the US and Canada.

Founded in 2015 by Bhupendra Khanal and Sneh Sharma, Dogsee Chew produces vegetarian treats made from Himalayan cheese. “With this funding, we aim to become the largest Himalayan chew manufacturer globally,” a statement quoted Sharma as saying.

The startup had secured INR 50 Cr in January 2022 from Mankind Pharma and Sixth Sense Ventures, and before that, $7 Mn in November 2021, led by Sixth Sense Ventures.

“The demand for our human-grade chews is exploding. This investment ensures we are well-prepared to meet this demand by scaling production and expanding our presence globally,” Khanal said in the statement.

The company operates in over 30 countries and plans to set up distribution hubs in key international markets. It will also focus on strengthening its Amazon Global Selling strategy.

“Dogsee has built a strong global brand in the natural pet food space. We believe their expansion strategy will solidify their market leadership,” Sreenivasa Musani Reddy, managing director at Ektha, said.

Starting with just seven products in 2015, Dogsee Chew is today India’s fourth-largest pet food exporter. 

The funding comes as India’s pet care market is poised to reach $7 Bn (INR 6,000 Cr) by FY28, growing at 18-20% annually. Over 500 pet care startups have emerged in the last 15 years, collectively raising about $130 Mn, with Heads Up For Tails securing $50 Mn of this funding.

Recent investments in the sector include Info Edge subsidiary Redstart Labs increasing its stake in pet services startup Sploot to 26.40% with a INR 3 Cr investment, and according to sources, Papa Pawsome raising $400,000 from Indian Angel Network for its natural pet care products.

The pet care space has evolved beyond basic products to include services like grooming, walking, and health monitoring. Companies are increasingly focusing on premium and natural products, responding to the growing trend of pet humanisation where owners view themselves as ‘pet parents’.