Fresh For Paws Wins the Pet Nutrition Innovation Excellence Award at the 9th Great Companies SME Business Awards 2026
Recognized for Combining Fresh, High-Quality Nutrition, Thoughtful Meal Formulation, and Pet-Parent Education to Raise the Standards of Pet Food in India
As pet parents become increasingly conscious of what goes into their pets' meals, the demand for fresh, nutritious, convenient, and thoughtfully formulated pet food continues to evolve. Fresh For Paws, founded by Srishti Bhatia in 2018, has built its brand around fresh pet nutrition, carefully developed recipes, and education that helps pet parents make more informed choices. The company has been recognized with the Pet Nutrition Innovation Excellence Award at the 9th Great Companies SME Business Awards 2026 for its approach to combining nutrition, convenience, product innovation, and a broader commitment to pet wellness.
Creating a Fresh Approach to Pet Nutrition
Fresh For Paws was founded in June 2018 with a focus on ready-to-eat pet meals designed around freshness, nutritional value, and convenience. The brand's model is built around preparing, portioning, and delivering meals according to a pet's calorie intake, reducing the need for scooping, defrosting, or guesswork for pet parents.
Its stated product philosophy focuses on high-quality proteins, nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, and vitamins and minerals, with its meals described as free of fillers and grain-free. The company also states that it does not add synthetic vitamins or minerals to its meals.
Innovation Across Life Stages and Nutritional Needs
Fresh For Paws has developed a diverse range of meals and nutritional products for dogs, cats, and puppies. Its dog portfolio includes plant-protein recipes such as A Green Affair, pumpkin-based Pumpkin' It Up, Oh My Greens, and Go Go Cottage Cheese, alongside recipes featuring egg, chicken, fish, lamb, and goat.
The company also offers meal toppers and treats, including chicken liver and pumpkin, chicken liver and carrot, and peanut butter. Its product development approach focuses on combining different ingredients into meals and toppers designed around specific nutritional requirements.
For cats, Fresh For Paws has developed the Fresh For Purrs range, including chicken, fish, lamb, and goat-based meals, as well as Liverlicious toppers with carrot and pumpkin variants.
The brand has also expanded its offering for puppies through Chick-A-Doodle, described as a complete and balanced recipe containing chicken, lamb liver, rice, vegetables, chickpeas, flaxseeds, and curcumin. The company states that the recipe contains 43 essential micronutrients and is formulated with fibre-rich ingredients.
Nutrition Supported by Research and Expertise
Founder Srishti Bhatia, a commerce graduate from Delhi University and a Certified Canine Nutritionist, spent almost two years researching ingredients and developing the recipes before launching Fresh For Paws. According to the company, the recipes were created through detailed research and nutritional calculations, with her own dog, Vanilla, serving as an early taster.
This founder-led product development philosophy remains central to the brand. Fresh For Paws describes its meals as nutritionally balanced and pre-portioned, with portions based on recommendations from a veterinarian nutritionist.
The company's innovation therefore extends beyond individual recipes. It connects food formulation with convenience, portion control, nutritional awareness, and practical guidance for pet parents.
Building an Educated Pet-Parent Community
Fresh For Paws positions education as an important part of its role within the pet ecosystem. Rather than focusing solely on product sales, the company aims to help pet parents understand nutrition, feeding, health, and responsible pet ownership.
Its content platform includes educational topics covering areas such as senior-dog nutrition, weight management, vegetables for dogs, seasonal pet care, and general wellness. This knowledge-sharing approach supports the company's broader objective of helping families make informed decisions about their pets' nutrition.
The company reports that over the years it has developed a loyal and growing community of pet parents while contributing to awareness around fresh and high-quality pet nutrition. Its reported recognitions include the Pet Fed Award (2018) and several recognitions at the India International Pet Trade Fair (IIPTF), most recently the Trailblazer Award.
Extending the Mission Beyond Pet Food
Fresh For Paws' vision extends beyond its commercial product portfolio. Through Vanilla's Haven Trust, an initiative dedicated to supporting animals in need, the company seeks to contribute to animal welfare beyond its core business.
The brand also identifies education, mentoring and knowledge sharing, job creation, women empowerment, diversity and inclusion, and support for startups and MSMEs among its broader areas of contribution.
This combination of product innovation, pet-parent education, and animal welfare reflects Fresh For Paws' ambition to participate in the wider development of India's pet ecosystem while building a globally recognized Indian pet nutrition brand.
Company Profile
Business Name: Fresh For Paws
Founder: Srishti Bhatia
Established: 2018
Industry: FMCG – Pet Food
Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship / One Person Company (OPC)
Core Offerings: Fresh ready-to-eat pet meals, dog food, cat food, puppy food, meal toppers, treats and monthly meal plans
Specialization: Fresh and thoughtfully formulated pet nutrition
Additional Focus: Pet-parent education, responsible pet ownership and animal welfare
Animal Welfare Initiative: Vanilla's Haven Trust
Website : https://freshforpaws.com/
About Great Companies SME Business Awards 2026
The Great Companies SME Business Awards 2026 celebrate exceptional entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses that are creating meaningful impact through innovation, customer excellence, sustainable growth, and industry leadership. The awards recognize organizations that are shaping the future of India's MSME ecosystem while building businesses that inspire trust, transformation, and long-term value.