It's official. The surging inflation has crossed the kitchen and entered the pets' territory, with prices of animal feeds shooting up by 20 per cent in just three months.

Rising prices of food items pushed up inflation to 12.63 per cent for the week ended August 9 from 12.44 per cent the previous week.

Mars International, which manufactures feeds for dogs in the brand name of Pedigree, has increased prices of almost all of its products.

• Inflation, the silent killer

"The prices of raw inputs like maize, chicken and Vitamin C powder have surged significantly. We have raised prices of products to pass on some of the burden to consumers," said Nitin Kulkarni, professional service manager of Effem India Pvt Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Mars International.

Prices of puppy feed have inched up by over 20 per cent to Rs 130 per kg, while those of dogs have increased to Rs 120 per kg from Rs 100 about three months ago. Biscuits meant for pets have also risen from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 120.

Inflation has not spared the cattle and poultry feed segment. The price rise has forced the dairy and poultry industry to urge the government to ensure adequate supply of soyameal, which is a major animal feed, at affordable prices.

"The prices of animal and poultry feed rule in the range of Rs 10-14 per kg, compared with that of Rs 7-10 last year," said C Vasant Kumar, president of Compound Feed Manufacturers Association, which represents the livestock industry.

He, however, added that prices of animal feed have not shot up as much as those of soyameal. Prices of soyameal have almost doubled to Rs 18 per kg from the last year's level, he pointed out. Soyameal is a major animal feed  because of its adequate protein content.

• Inflation, the silent killer