In recent years, the pet economy has emerged as one of the fastest growing tracks in a new wave of consumption. Data show that, as of 11 June this year, the concept index for the pet economy had increased cumulatively by 35.39 per cent, showing strong market potential. With rising consumption and changing emotional demand, the pet economy has expanded from simple feeding services to a full-life eco-chemical industry, with market size projected to exceed RMB 1.15 trillion by 2028.
In a fast-paced modern life, pets have gradually been upgraded from “emotional companions” to “family members”. According to the 2025 White Paper on the Chinese pet industry, the number of urban dogs and cats in China exceeded 120 million in 2024 and the size of the consumer market was $30.2 billion, an increase of 7.5 per cent over the previous year. Behind this growth is urbanization, digitization and changes in family structures. As Chen Jing Jing Jing, a brand expert, said: “The outbreak of the pet economy is essentially an urgent need for emotional exports.”
The boundaries of the pet economy are expanding from food, medical care to pet-friendly living services. The first-line cities' pet-friendly cafés, greenfields and malls have become new trends. For example, in Beijing, a pet-friendly café attracts a large number of pet consumers through facilities such as automatic feeding devices, drinking water tables and even booking “paternity seats”. In addition, high iron pet shipping services and the landing of pet terminal buildings mark the upgrading of the industry to “emotional value + chain ecology”, laying the foundation for the consumer ecology of the “Pet + Brigade”.
Markets are becoming increasingly competitive, and domestic and foreign brands are being scaled up. The new retail brand of pet foods, Pat freshman, completed $25 million in Angel Wheel Finance; Adidas launched a global down payment for pet clothing, targeting young tide groups; and shares A listed companies, such as three squirrels and Zenit pets, also gained market share through subbrand or business expansion. Skywind securities point out that online channels have become the main battleground for pet food and that the national product brands are rapidly rising with the “national replacement + consumption upgrading” strategy.
The integration of the pet economy with science and technology, as well as with the literary brigade, is creating a new business. Health management efficiency is enhanced by the use of AI diagnostics, smart wearing equipment, cultural creativity that fosters the differentiation of supplies, and the emergence of a complex “peet-friendly” scene. Analysts believe that enterprises with R&D capabilities, brand advantages and resource integration capabilities will emerge from the business shuffle.
The flourishing pet economy is both a microcosm of rising consumption and a reflection of changing socio-emotional needs. From basic needs to humanized services, from single consumption to ecological closure, this trillion track will continue to reshape new consumption patterns in innovation and competition.