By Dr. Samar Chandra Roy, DVM
- Introduction
The veterinary healthcare system in Bangladesh has undergone rapid transformation over the last decade, particularly in the domain of companion animal (pet) care. Traditionally, veterinary services in Bangladesh were primarily focused on livestock and poultry, reflecting the country’s agrarian economy. However, urbanization, changing lifestyles, and increasing emotional attachment to pets have significantly boosted the demand for specialized pet healthcare services.
The rise of nuclear families, mental health awareness, and social media influence has encouraged pet ownership, especially in urban centers like Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. As a result, pet clinics have emerged as a growing sector within veterinary medicine, offering a range of services from preventive healthcare to advanced diagnostics and surgery.
- Pet Clinic Number Statistics in Bangladesh
Growth Trend
Pet clinics in Bangladesh have expanded dramatically over the past decade:
2017: Only 5–6 clinics in Dhaka
2022: 50+ clinics in Dhaka, ~100 nationwide
2025–2026: 225+ private pet clinics nationwide, including ~50 in Dhaka
This growth reflects increasing demand and investment in the pet healthcare sector.
Pet Population Context
- Dogs: ~1.7 million (including ~289,000 pets)
- Cats: ~4 million (including ~564,848 pets)
The growing pet population directly influences clinic expansion.
Graph: Growth of Pet Clinics in Bangladesh
Number of Clinics
│
│ *
│ * (2025: 225+ nationwide)
│ *
│ *
│ * (2022: ~100 nationwide)
│ *
│ *
│ * (2017: <10 clinics)
│ *
└────────────────────────────
2017 2022 2025
Interpretation:
The graph shows exponential growth, especially after 2020, driven by urban demand and commercialization of pet care.
- Services Offered by Pet Clinics
Modern pet clinics in Bangladesh provide a wide spectrum of services:
3.1 Preventive Services
- Vaccination (rabies, DHPPi, FVRCP)
- Deworming
- Nutritional counseling
3.2 Clinical Services
- General health check-ups
- Disease diagnosis and treatment
- Emergency care
3.3 Surgical Services
- Spaying and neutering
- Orthopedic surgery
- Soft tissue surgery
3.4 Grooming and Boarding
- Pet grooming (bathing, clipping)
- Boarding facilities
3.5 Digital & Telemedicine Services
Platforms like PetsSheba provide:
- Online vet consultation
- Appointment booking
- Health record management
- Laboratory Facilities
Modern clinics, especially advanced ones like Pawsitive Veterinary Clinic, provide:
- Hematology (CBC tests)
- Biochemistry analysis
- X-ray imaging
- Ultrasonography
- ECG
- Microbiological testing
These facilities allow accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.
However, limitations still exist:
- Many small clinics lack in-house labs
- Dependence on external diagnostic centers
- High cost of advanced equipment
- Human Resources (Employees in Clinics)
A typical pet clinic in Bangladesh includes:
5.1 Veterinarian
- Degree: DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
- Responsible for diagnosis and treatment
5.2 Veterinary Assistants
- Assist in surgery and handling animals
5.3 Technicians
- Lab work
- Imaging and diagnostics
5.4 Administrative Staff
- Reception
- Billing
- Appointment management
5.5 Groomers
- Specialized pet care services
Some clinics also employ digital management systems such as Pet Heaven for workflow efficiency.
- Role of Veterinarians
Veterinarians are central to the functioning of pet clinics. Their roles include:
6.1 Clinical Role
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Surgery
- Emergency care
6.2 Preventive Role
- Vaccination programs
- Public awareness
- Zoonotic disease control
6.3 Advisory Role
- Nutrition guidance
- Behavioral counseling
6.4 Public Health Role
- Rabies control
- Antimicrobial stewardship
6.5 Ethical Responsibility
- Animal welfare
- Professional conduct
- Clash Between Proprietor and Veterinarian
A growing issue in Bangladesh’s pet clinic sector is the conflict between clinic owners (proprietors) and veterinarians.
Causes of Conflict
7.1 Commercialization vs Professional Ethics
- Proprietors focus on profit
- Veterinarians prioritize patient welfare
7.2 Salary and Job Security
- Low salaries for vets
- Lack of contracts
7.3 Decision-Making Authority
- Owners may influence treatment decisions
- Pressure to overprescribe or overcharge
7.4 Unqualified Staff Issues
- Assistants sometimes perform medical tasks
Evidence from Public Opinion
Some pet owners report dissatisfaction with service quality:
“Staff… injected something without explaining…”
“Most vets are not serious… staff handling critical cases”
These highlight concerns about professionalism, training, and management.
- Challenges in the Sector
8.1 Lack of Regulation
- No strict licensing enforcement
- Inconsistent standards
8.2 Urban-Rural Disparity
- Most clinics concentrated in cities
- Rural areas lack pet healthcare
8.3 High Cost of Treatment
- Diagnostics and surgery expensive
- Limited pet insurance
8.4 Limited Advanced Facilities
- Few specialized hospitals
- Dependence on foreign treatment (e.g., India earlier)
8.5 Antimicrobial Misuse
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Risk of resistance
- Future Prospects
The future of pet clinics in Bangladesh is promising.
9.1 Market Growth
- Pet healthcare industry worth hundreds of crores taka
- Increasing annual growth
9.2 Expansion of Clinics
- Community-based clinics emerging
- Planned expansion to new regions
9.3 Technological Advancement
- Telemedicine
- Digital health records
- AI-based diagnostics
9.4 Specialized Veterinary Services
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
9.5 Education and Awareness
- Improved veterinary training
- Public awareness campaigns
9.6 Investment Opportunities
- Private sector investment rising
- Franchise and partnership models
- Conclusion
The pet clinic sector in Bangladesh is evolving rapidly, transitioning from a limited service model to a more advanced and diversified healthcare system. The increase in pet ownership, urbanization, and awareness has driven significant growth in the number of clinics and services offered.
However, the sector still faces challenges such as regulatory gaps, quality inconsistencies, and conflicts between commercial and professional interests. Addressing these issues through policy reforms, professional training, and infrastructure development is essential.
With continued investment, technological integration, and improved governance, Bangladesh has the potential to develop a modern and globally competitive pet healthcare system.
- References (with Writer & Date)
- Daily Sun Report (18 December 2025). Country’s first full-service pet clinic opens in Dhaka.
- WantMorePets Blog (13 August 2025). Pet clinic in Bangladesh.
- PetsSheba (2026). Pet care platform overview.
- Bangladesh Pet Association (2025). Community clinic model and pet census.
- Pet Heaven (2025). Veterinary clinic management system.
- Reddit User Reports (2025–2026). Public perception on veterinary clinics.
- Times of India (8 August 2025). Pet medical tourism issue.