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The pet population in China has increased steadily in the past years. In 2021, around *** million pets were held in Chinese households, ranging from mammals to reptiles. Forecasts showed that the pet population in China would exceed *** million in 2022. Cats and dogs remained the most popular pets among Chinese pet lovers.

The rising pet economy in China

China’s urban pet market has taken off in recent years, driven by the fast-rising rate of pet ownership and changing perceptions of the role of pets in Chinese households. For most urban pet owners, pets are no longer considered just domestic animals but indispensable family members or even their “fur babies.” The new generation of pet owners are also more generous in paying for their beloved animals. Estimates showed that Chinese pet owners would spend over yuan a year on their cats or dogs.

Unregulated market behind China’s pet crazes

The unstoppable pet trends in China were primarily fueled by social media. With short-video platforms packed with funny puppy and kitten videos, creating an increasing number of pet influencers. However, behind the phenomenal crazes for pets, an unregulated market is cause for concern. According to a survey in 2021, ** percent of cats and ** percent of the dogs were purchased online. In May 2021, more than *** puppies and kittens were found in courier’s vehicles, dying or distressed. They were sold as “blind boxes” online by unauthorized merchants.