The pet industry in China has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few years, driven by the growing emotional needs of pet owners and the continuous innovation in the pet-related market.
Pets Beyond Cats and Dogs
While cats and dogs remain the most popular pets in Chinese households, exotic pets are gaining popularity. In Shanghai, a once-niche pet store has expanded into a 160-square-meter venue featuring a diverse range of exotic animals, including snakes, lizards, raccoons, and spiders. The owner, Cui Dejun, attributes the growing interest in exotic pets to the increasing popularity among young people in China.
- According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, approximately 17.07 million people in China are keeping exotic pets, with a market size nearing 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars).
- These less common pets are gaining popularity, especially among young people in China, and are starting to dilute the traditional dominance of the pet market by cats and dogs.
Rise of Refined, Personalized Pet Care
As living standards improve in China, people’s views on pets are changing. Pets are now treated like family members, and the demand for higher-quality, more personalized care is on the rise.
- According to the Asia Pet Research Institute, China was home to 187 million pet dogs and cats in 2024, with the value of its pet market exceeding 300 billion yuan.
- Adults aged 25 to 34 accounted for 61.7 percent of pet owners, with much of their spending driven by emotional attachment to their pets.
Pet Fashion Trends
The pet fashion industry is evolving rapidly, with a focus on high-end products and services.
- Pet owner Ms. Li spends over 1,000 yuan monthly on her dachshund, including tailored supplements to address breed-specific health concerns.
- Online platforms such as Taobao report dramatic year-on-year growth in supplement sales, with sales of freeze-dried supplements increasing eightfold, fish oil sales up ninefold, and lactoferrin sales seeing a twelvefold surge.
Pet-Friendly Public Spaces
Cities across China are adapting to the growing pet population, with over 100 pet-friendly shopping malls established nationwide. Restaurants, hotels, and parks are increasingly welcoming animals.
- In Shanghai alone, over 40 parks offer pet-designated activity zones, exemplifying the growing trend toward “pet-human co-living.”
- As more travelers travel with their pets, many owners are calling for easier and more pet-friendly transport options by rail and air.
Upgrade in Pet Transport Services
China’s transport sector is upgrading its services to accommodate the growing demand for pet transport.
| High-Speed Trains | Pilot Pet Transport Services |
| Beijing South | Jinan West |
| Nanjing South | Shanghai Hongqiao |
| Hangzhou East Railway Station |
Pets as a Lifestyle Trend
Keeping pets has become a basic need and a lifestyle trend in China. Demand for companionship is rising, especially among seniors over 60 and younger generations born after 1990. For many, pets provide emotional comfort, help relieve stress, and have become an important part of their everyday lives.
“Pets provide emotional comfort, help relieve stress, and have become an important part of our everyday lives. For many, pets are not just companions, but a lifestyle trend,” said Wang Jinquan, an expert at the Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Conclusion
The pet industry in China is thriving and fast-evolving, driven by the growing emotional needs of pet owners and the continuous innovation in the pet-related market. As the industry continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that pet owners have access to high-quality products, services, and public spaces that cater to their needs.