Manssi Karambelkar, Founder - Doggiliciouus has been recognized as The Best Canine Nutritionist of the Year - 2022, Bengaluru by BusinessMint.

In a mostly unregulated market of pet food, Manssi Vedhya Karambelkar, Founder of Doggiliciouus, is a trailblazer as a certified canine nutritionist, one of the first and few in India. After getting certified in Canine Health and Nutrition in 2016 from the British College of Canine Studies, she has continued to keep updating her knowledge base and acquire new qualifications. She provides complete wellness consults from young new  puppies to senior dogs with medical conditions. 

Her dedication to her work was officially recognized in 2020 when she was awarded the Best Emerging Canine Nutritionist In India by Women’s Leadership Awards. Her story involves her adopted dog  Kira, who fell ill with severe pancreatitis and was at the risk of multiple organ failures. This happened within a month after Kira came home. Kira’s survival was nothing short of a miracle. When asked about it, Manssi says, “She was just not ready to die that day, she had seen the worst life could show her until then, and I think we both needed to experience the love that followed” 

Manssi’s desperation to help Kira live a happy and full life, led to holistic natural wellness and nutrition reserch. Kira inspired Manssi to study, make fresh food, natural supplements, and other wellness products that do not burden the immune system with chemicals. And this is her Philosophy - ZERO chemical products. 

She started her career by cooking for Kira and her friends. Today, she leads Doggiliciouus with a team of dog-loving people and has helped thousands of dogs.  With an increase in the number of pet parents, there is no dearth of information. But sifting through it can leave people overwhelmed and confused. Most people rely on processed food mainly because its available at any pet store and the vet’s office. When asked about the large pet food market and the brands, Manssi says, “Fear-based marketing and corporate greed have made people believe that processed food, laced with chemicals and preservatives, is good for our dogs. If people do not have all the required information, or worse, they have the wrong information from professionals they trust, then they are likely to bring home what they find readily available.”

Debating the nutritional benefits of kibble over fresh food, she believes animals also deserve chemical-free, nutritious food just like we do. When asked why we should feed fresh food, she says, “Why not? Isn’t it the most natural thing to do? We do need to feed them species appropriate food. Only Fresh is not enough”. The insult caused to our bodies by frequent consumption of junk food and chemical-laden farming is well-known today. Her loyalty to this philosophy is conspicuous in the quality of each raw material that she uses in her kitchen where the source has been carefully vetted and proudly displayed on the website.

When designing a meal plan for any dog, she keeps in mind that nutrition by itself cannot lead to wellness. Lifestyle, environment, and nutrition are the three pillars of physical and mental wellness. Her dream is to see all dogs eating fresh, clean, species appropriate by educating her clients and helping them with diet charts. You can find her - @doggiliciouus (Instagram)