New “Money Pit” Earned 300 Billion Yuan from Chinese Consumers? | [Jingwei Low-Key Insights]
![New “Money Pit” Earned 300 Billion Yuan from Chinese Consumers? | [Jingwei Low-Key Insights]](/content/images/size/w1200/2025/11/img_001-99.jpg)
The Humanization of Pets in China: A RMB 300 Billion Emotional Revolution
In China, pet ownership has evolved far beyond simple companionship. It has become a full-scale consumer revolution that mirrors — and sometimes surpasses — human social service systems. From registration, triage, and CT scans to acupuncture rehabilitation, “five-star” institutions like the China Agricultural University Animal Hospital have transplanted top-tier human hospital protocols directly onto pets. Among netizens, it’s nicknamed the “Concord Hospital of the animal world.”
And this is just the beginning:
- Pet gyms with treadmills and hydrotherapy
- Luxury daycares with school bus pickups and graduation certificates
- Funeral services offering tiered pricing by pet weight, “store closure mourning,” or Buddhist rites
According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, China’s urban pet (cat and dog) market exceeded RMB 300 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass RMB 400 billion by 2027.
Behind these numbers are 124 million pet cats and dogs, reflecting a deeper phenomenon: young people are channeling unmet emotional needs, parenting ideals, and self-healing aspirations toward their furry companions. Pet consumption has shifted from mere spending to reconstructing intimacy, compensating for childhood gaps, and finding meaning in life.
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01 — How Professional Can a Pet Hospital Be?
For Lao G, who spent much time in hospitals as a child, the China Agricultural University Animal Hospital feels eerily familiar. Why? Its medical processes mirror those in human hospitals:
- Registration Desk: Price lists, payment, and invoices are visible upon arrival.
- Triage Queue: Owners wait anxiously while pets are listed “1 cat ahead” or “2 dogs ahead.”
- Consultation Rooms: Set up exactly like human medical exam rooms.
Source: Sina Weibo @陈皓然icon
While waiting, owners chat — or pets “chat” by sniffing and exchanging scent messages.
Source: Xiaohongshu @苏先生super慢
Yet anxiety is palpable. One unexpected worry: pet names displayed publicly — from “Sugar Lump” (Tangdun) to “Iron Rod” (Gangzi).
Source: Sina Weibo @陈皓然icon
Pets’ medical reports often dwarf those of their owners. A cat’s lab sheet can fill an entire A4 page with complex test items.
Source: Sina Weibo @陈皓然icon
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Advanced Treatments
At the hospital’s Ultrasound Department, every creature from golden retrievers to parrots can have X-rays. Orange tabbies on CT scanners are a notable online sensation.
Source: Sina Weibo @兔球也许
Beyond imaging:
- Nebulization therapy for cats
- Injections for turtles
- Acupuncture for arthritic dogs
Source: Sina Weibo @陈皓然icon
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Success Stories
- A small dog with neurological compression and partial paralysis recovered after acupuncture.
- Source: Xiaohongshu @momo
- A 17-year-old dog survived multiple organ failures thanks to intensive care.
- Source: Xiaohongshu @每天都可以开心呀
The hospital’s reputation now stands alongside that of Peking Union Medical College Hospital in human medicine.
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02 — Is the Pet Industry Really Mirroring the Human World 1:1?
Yes — and often to an uncanny degree.
Pet Gyms
Facilities include:
- Small treadmills
- Swimming pools & hydrotherapy
- Yoga balls
- Massage rooms
Source: Xiaohongshu @biu了个biu
They offer sports rehab for pets with ligament or bone injuries and body shaping programs — paralleling elite human gyms.
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Pet Communication Services
“Communicators” claim to talk to animals via livestreams, earning substantial tips. Authenticity aside, the business is profitable.
Source: Internet
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Pet Education
Some pet schools mirror top human prep schools, with structured activities, grooming, and school bus pickups. Graduates get certificates.
Source: Xiaohongshu @宇宙岛民
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Pet Funerals
Services include:
- Urns and burial
- “Pet hearses”
- Memorial events
Packages can cost close to RMB 2,000.
Source: Internet
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Market Foundation
- 124 million pet cats and dogs (2024)
- Urban market size: 300 billion RMB in 2024, expected to reach 400 billion RMB by 2027 (KPMG)
- Penetration rate is still 1/3 of mature markets, leaving room for growth
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03 — Are Today’s Best Potential Parents… Raising Pets Instead?
A viral mantra in pet circles says:
> “With love, flesh and blood will grow.”
Source: Xiaohongshu @是沙沙呀
Emotional Transformation
Adopted strays often transform dramatically:
- Matted fur becomes silky
- Defensive aggression turns into trust
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Emotional Value
For owners:
- Zhang’s cat regained beautiful fur — a “victory” in her eyes
- Xiao K’s cat recovered fully from injury — a source of resilience
Pets provide constant positive feedback, unlike complex human relationships.
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Self-Healing
For many, raising a pet is compensation and self-care:
- Providing a “perfect childhood” for a pet they never had themselves
- Healthy diets, checkups, social activities
By caring for a pet, they re-raise themselves.
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References
- Shanghai Securities Journal, “’Pet’-Created Market Far Beyond Hundreds of Billions?” (2025-08-23)
- Animal Husbandry Industry, China Animal Husbandry Association, 2017 Issue No. 5
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