Pet economy purrs ahead as cat, pooch cafes spread

Growth potential

Shen Jing is a perfect example of the modern pet industry's target customer. At 23, the human resources worker devotes nearly a fifth of her monthly salary to pampering her golden retriever.

"I spend around 1,500 yuan each month on everything from dog food and snacks to regular grooming sessions," Shen said as she walked her dog in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. "He's like a child to me."

And Shen is far from alone in her spending habits in China these days.

The growth of the middle class, rapid urbanization and shifting demographics — including an aging population and a growing number of people who are choosing to delay marriage and parenthood — have transformed China's pet market into one of the fastest-growing in the world.

This surge in demand bodes well for pet food and pet product companies, and for businesses ranging from dog grooming salons to luxury pet hotels.

At the production workshop of Jiangsu Weihong Pet Products in Huai'an, Jiangsu, a fresh batch of dog chew treats had just been packaged and was ready for shipment when Xinhua News Agency reporters visited.

"Our pet snacks have consistently achieved over 10 percent annual growth," said Hu Zimeng, the company's general manager. "We're more confident than ever about expanding into new markets."

He Yang, who manages the Pupurazzi pet chain brand in Chengdu said: "The pet market in China has enormous potential, and consumer demand is becoming increasingly diverse. This requires us, as industry professionals, to continually innovate".

After opening on June 1, Pupurazzi, the largest flagship pet store in Sichuan, saw its revenue hit 2.5 million yuan in its first month, with daily foot traffic ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 visitors. "This far exceeded our expectations," He said.

Beyond pet services, pet health and wellness are gaining attention. Pet owners are increasingly focusing on preventive healthcare, including balanced nutrition and weight control.

Statistics show that the Chinese mainland pet healthcare market grew to approximately 70 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for roughly 24 percent of the overall pet industry.

Royal Canin, a France-based pet health and nutrition company, sees China's pet economy as more than a passing trend. Xu Juan, general manager of Royal Canin China, said that the surge in pet-related industries is a sign of social progress — one that could become a new driver for economic growth.

Xu's view is shared by Zhang Sining, a researcher at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences who noted that as modern society becomes more fast-paced and work-related pressures intensify, many people are turning to pets to fulfill their emotional needs.

"This trend is opening up a blue ocean of opportunities across various sectors of the pet industry," Zhang said.

XINHUA