China’s Pet Economy: How Cats, Dogs, and a New Generation Built a Billion-Yuan Industry
On a Saturday afternoon in Shanghai, a woman in her late twenties walks into a pet supply store in Jing’an district. She buys a bag of Japanese brand cat food, three cans of wet food, a cat tree, and a set of interactive toys. The total comes to 1,200 yuan — roughly the cost of a weekend trip. She does not flinch. Her cat, named Tuan Tuan, eats better than she does on some days. “My friends say I spoil him,” she laughs. “But he is basically my child.”
This attitude is increasingly common among young urban Chinese. In 2025, China’s pet industry surpassed 500 billion yuan in total market value, making it the second-largest pet market in the world after the United States. The driving force behind this growth is not traditional pet ownership. It is a convergence of urbanization, delayed marriage, single-person households, and a generation that treats pets as family members.
Why Young Chinese Are Embracing Pets
Several social trends have converged to create China’s pet boom. First, the average age of first marriage in Chinese cities has risen to over 30. Many young professionals live alone or with roommates and seek companionship in pets rather than partners. The term “fur child” (毛孩子, mao haizi) has entered everyday vocabulary to describe how deeply owners bond with their animals.
Second, urbanization has shifted lifestyles. In cramped city apartments, a cat or small dog fits better than outdoor pets. A 2024 survey by the China Pet Industry Association found that 58% of urban pet owners live in apartments smaller than 90 square meters. Cats, which require less space and can be left alone during work hours, have become the pet of choice. In 2025, China’s domestic cat population reached 73 million, surpassing dogs for the first time.
Third, social media has supercharged pet culture. Apps like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) and Douyin are filled with pet accounts that attract millions of followers. The most famous Chinese internet cat, a fluffy ragdoll named Wang Jia Jia, has over 12 million followers across platforms. This visibility creates a feedback loop: the more people see pets in their feeds, the more they want one — and the more they spend on them.
What the Pet Economy Looks Like
China’s pet industry has grown far beyond basic food and vet care. Key sectors include:
- Premium pet food — International brands like Royal Canin, Hill’s, and Orijen dominate the high end, but local brands like Myfoodie and Pure&Natural have captured a growing share by offering Chinese-specific recipes and flavors.
- Pet healthcare — Pet hospitals and insurance have become essential. China now has over 35,000 registered pet hospitals. Pet medical insurance plans, nearly unheard of a decade ago, now cover over 8 million pets.
- Pet grooming and boarding — In major cities, a basic grooming session costs 150–400 yuan. Boarding during the Spring Festival holiday, when millions of owners travel to their hometowns, is a high-demand premium service.
- Pet tech and smart products — Automatic feeders, smart litter boxes, pet cameras with treat dispensers, and GPS trackers are popular among tech-savvy owners. Chinese startup Petkit went public in 2024 with a valuation of over 2 billion yuan.
- Pet fashion — From winter coats to Hanfu-style outfits for cats, pet clothing is a fast-growing category. Taobao data shows that “cat Hanfu” searches increased 340% between 2023 and 2025.
Challenges and the Future
With rapid growth comes real challenges. Pet abandonment rates have risen as impulse buyers realize they cannot afford the time or money required. Animal shelters in Chinese cities report being at capacity. Meanwhile, the pet food industry has faced quality control issues — multiple recalls in 2024 raised concerns about domestic pet food safety.
Despite these issues, the trajectory is clear. China’s pet economy is projected to reach 800 billion yuan by 2028. As young people delay traditional life milestones like marriage and children, pets will continue to fill emotional gaps. Dog parks, cat cafes, and pet-friendly shopping malls are already reshaping urban landscapes. The fur child is here to stay.
Discover more about modern Chinese culture and trends: China’s pet boom: how cats and dogs became family and the Chinese zodiac animals.
