Pocket-sized fun, fame: Instagram loves urban India's micro-pet affair

India Today

3 days ago

Eight-year-old Mahi (name changed) from Bengaluru has found an unusual best friend—her four-inch-long pet sugar glider, Tofu. Every evening, she gently feeds Tofu tiny slices of apple and watches him glide between curtains and bookshelves.The small marsupial clings to her shoulder during homework and even sleeps in a soft pouch stitched into her hoodie. 'He's not just a pet—he's my secret buddy, my flying pocket friend who listens to all my silly stories,' she says. Their bond, forged in silence and tiny jumps, has made Mahi more patient and happier, say her parents.advertisementIndia's love affair with pets is no longer confined to dogs and cats—it's now hopping, scuttling and chirping into micropet territory. From dwarf rabbits and hamsters to exotic miniature birds, hedgehogs, gerbils, chinchillas, pygmy mice, geckos, anoles, African dwarf frogs, axolotls, hermit crabs, degus and Australian sugar gliders, small pets have become the new obsession.Beyond companionship, the micro-pet trend thrives on social media spectacle. Tiny pets are more apt to fit into apartments, generate 'cute' content and align with the aspirational lifestyle of young professionals. Microinfluencers tag pets in fashion stories, cafe visits and themed reels to show off pet hamsters in tiny hoodies, parrots on macrame swings, turtles with bow-ties on and dwarf rabbits with tuxedos. Specialty brands offer miniature carriers, custom food mixes, pawdicure kits for small animals and even 'pet influencer kits' complete with LED-lit cages and cameo backgrounds for reel-ready animal selfies.
But fashion meets function too—cooling vests for hedgehogs and harnesses for sugar gliders are becoming popular among serious pet parents. While critics raise concerns about animal comfort, fans say micro-pet fashion is about joy, bonding and share-worthy cuteness.The cuteness is not cheap, though. In metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, customers are paying anywhere from Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000 for a miniature rabbit, Rs 1,500 to Rs 15,000 for hamsters or sugar gliders, and Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 for exotic birds or reptiles. The variety is broad—from mini Pitbull puppies to bearded dragons, parakeets and miniature turtles.By some estimates, India's broader pet-care market, valued at $720million (around Rs 6,300 crore), is projected to shoot up to $25billion (Rs 2.18 lakh crore) by 2032, driven by premiumisation and the urban pet culture. The exotic/small pets segment, valued at $42.6million (around Rs 375 crore) in 2024, is expected to grow to around $76 million (Rs 665 crore) by 2030.Not that there are no challenges post-purchase. Experts warn that exotic pets often require specialised habitats, heating, dietary routines and veterinary care, which many urban owners underestimate. 'They look so innocent, but they poop like machines. I sweep five times a day, and it still feels like a poop sewage tank exploded,' says 20-year-old Mumbai student Bhavana Bhandakar.advertisementA friend of Bhavana reports similar experiences. 'No one tells you that turtle poop smells like wet socks dipped in vomit. And you need tweezers sometimes to clean the tank,' says Ananya Das, also 20.Zoonotic risks, especially from reptiles, also demand extreme caution. Pet abandonment spikes during monsoon months due to increased illness, vet costs or lack of pet-friendly housing—highlighted in Pune and other cities by activists.Nevertheless, the small-pet trend in India is more than a passing fad. It reflects the urban youth's desire for low-maintenance companionship and Instagrammable novelty. But the journey from impulse buy to responsible ownership isn't easy. Veterinary gaps, welfare concerns and regulatory shortcomings risk turning adorable pets into abandoned burdens. While the exotic-pet market is booming, experts urge buyers to treat cute creatures as long-term commitments, not just doodads for social fame.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends