Creative pet products fuel fur baby economy

BEIJING — Fresh pet food kitchens offering in-house prepared meals with door-to-door delivery, legal services specifically tailored for pet owners, and even "wellness-focused" dog food formulas incorporating traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, are just some of the many things that were showcased at a Beijing pet fair and are further evidence of China's booming pet economy.

The four-day Pet Fair Beijing 2025, which started on Feb 27, attracted more than 1,500 exhibitors and 13,000 brands to the exhibition area measuring about 120,000 square meters.

Exhibits covered almost all aspects of the industry — from pet food, supplements, and toys for cats and dogs, to comprehensive supply chain services including product manufacturing, packaging solutions and after-sales support.

With evolving attitudes toward pet ownership and the expansion of the domestic animal market, China's pet industry has in recent years entered a golden era of rapid development.

According to the latest China Pet Industry Annual Report, released by the Asia Pet Alliance Institute, there were 187 million pet dogs and cats nationwide by 2024, driving a market scale beyond 300 billion yuan ($41.15 billion).

Notably, 47 percent of pet owners said economic fluctuations would not compromise their care for their pets and that they even plan to spend more on staple foods, treats, nutritional supplements, medications and grooming products for their animal buddies.

In the pet food exhibition hall at the fair in Beijing, JIA Pet Group's brand, Legend Sandy, was being displayed at a booth with a wildlife theme that drew crowds of pet owners and livestreaming influencers. The brand dazzled visitors with its premium products featuring innovative recipes such as cat and dog food enhanced with squab meat, freeze-dried raw meat delicacies, fish oil cat treats, and more such specialized offerings.

"Sales data show that rising prices resulting from upgraded pet food haven't cooled spending from young pet owners," said Jin Guoqing, vice-president of JIA Pet Group. Targeting busy yet companionship-seeking young consumers, the company plans to develop new mid-range cat food offerings to diversify options for pet households in China.

With 10 years' experience in anti-counterfeit tracking services, an exhibitor from East China's Shandong province has expanded into pet product authentication in recent years. The company provides traceability solutions, allowing consumers to verify products through QR code scans.

"With pet owners demanding better quality control, our tracking services have grown by 60 percent annually in terms of pet food and supplies," the company's Li Cheng noted.

As refined pet care becomes a trend, new technologies like freeze-drying and multi-layer stuffing are being applied to pet staple foods and snacks, providing picky eaters with tastier and more balanced nutrition.

At a booth featuring such products, colorful freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, purple sweet potatoes, strawberries, blueberries, apples and more in various shapes attracted many viewers.

Meanwhile, An Jiaran, a Beijing-based lawyer, and some of her colleagues have analyzed previous pet-related cases, sorting through regulations and industry standards in establishing the "Furry Friends Legal Team".

They provide legal services to pet companies regarding product compliance, pet breeding and many more practices, while offering pet owners consultation on adoption processes, property damage caused by their pets, and liability issues in case their pets get hurt.

"We're not just attorneys, but catalysts for industry standardization," An said.

According to Yan Jinsheng, vice-president of the China Pet Industry Association, consumer awareness and attitudes toward pet care are evolving, driving the rise of new services and specialized skills in the pet industry. This shift is fostering innovation and diversification across the sector.

Xinhua