Palak Jain, former Sony star and now founder of Paws for Greens, urges pet parents to rethink what’s really going into their dogs’ bowls.
NEW DELHI, 11 July 2025 – In a candid interview, actress-turned- entrepreneur Palak Jain shed light on a growing but under-discussed concern: the impact of low-quality, chemical laden pet food on the health of India’s dogs.
Speaking with The Startup Caffe Founder Sriwant Wariz, about her journey from lead roles in shows like Sony’s “Ye Pyaar Nahi Toh Kya Hai” to founding Paws for Greens, India’s first 100% plant-based pet nutrition brand, Jain shared her concerns about what she calls a “silent epidemic” of lifestyle diseases among pets — one that closely mirrors human health trends.
“We’re seeing rising cases of cancer, kidney issues, obesity, and gut problems in dogs — just like in humans,” she said. “But very few people are connecting it to what we’re feeding them, multiple times a day.”
Jain points to the disconnect between the modern lifestyle of apartment-living pets and the high-protein, meat-heavy formulas still dominating the Indian market.
“Dogs today aren’t hunting in the wild. They’re indoors, walked once or twice a day. Feeding them like wolves without fiber, fruits, or vegetables creates an obvious imbalance.”
She emphasised that her concern isn’t with pet parents, but with a lack of transparent education. “Labels often hide behind words like ‘meat by-products’ or ‘animal derivatives.’ Most consumers don’t understand what they’re feeding their dogs because no one’s telling them.”
Referencing global industry data, Jain shared that nearly 20% of the world’s meat consumption is attributed to the pet industry, often without strict regulation or traceability.
“There’s increasing concern worldwide about the quality of meat used in pet food. Some reports have flagged issues like antibiotic-laced or rejected batches ending up in processing units. That’s why we urgently need alternatives.”
Paws for Greens, with its plant-powered, vet-reviewed recipes, aims to offer that alternative. Since its soft launch just 7 months ago, the brand has entered 100+ stores via Heads Up For Tails, suggesting a rising demand among Indian pet parents for cleaner, cruelty- free nutrition.
Beyond business, Jain’s vision is rooted in education. “Our goal is not to shame or shock anyone. It’s to spark curiosity: what are we really feeding our pets, and can we do better?”
With her background in entertainment, Jain understands the power of headlines but she believes long-term change comes from deeper engagement.
“This isn’t about being anti-meat or anti-industry. It’s about being pro-awareness. We owe our dogs that much.”
