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This year marks the eleventh consecutive release of the *China Pet Industry White Paper*. At the beginning of 2026, under the guidance of the National Standardization Technical Committee for Companion Animals (Pets), the Pet Industry Branch of the China Animal Husbandry Association, and the China Veterinary Association, the *2026 China Pet Industry White Paper (Consumer Report)*, produced by the Peidu Pet Industry Big Data Platform, was unveiled at the 2026 China Pet Industry Data Release Conference. With more comprehensive and multi-dimensional data, it reviews the changes in China's pet consumption market in 2025 and explores future development strategies for the pet industry.

The following are some key data from the "2026 China Pet Industry White Paper (Consumer Report)":

Industry Overview: What changes will occur in 2025?

1. Is the cat economy going to make a comeback in the 312.6 billion market?

The consumption market size of urban pets (dogs and cats) will reach 312.6 billion yuan in 2025, an increase of 4.1% compared to 2024. Among them, the size of the dog consumption market reached 160.6 billion yuan, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024, and the size of the cat consumption market reached 152 billion yuan, an increase of 5.2% compared to 2024. It is expected that the consumption market size of urban pets (dogs and cats) will reach 405 billion yuan by 2028. Among them, the size of the dog consumption market reached 192.3 billion yuan, and the size of the cat consumption market reached 218.4 billion yuan.

2. Is quantity growth slowing down while consumption is stepping on the accelerator?

The number of urban dogs and cats in 2025 is 126 million, an increase of 2.21 million (up 1.8%) from 2024. Among them, the number of pet dogs was 53.43 million, an increase of 850000 compared to 2024 (a slight increase of 1.6%); The number of pet cats is 72.89 million, an increase of 1.36 million (up 1.9%) from 2024.

3. Annual average consumption of dogs and cats has reached a new high

The average annual consumption of a single dog is 3006 yuan, a slight increase of 1.5% compared to 2024. The average annual consumption of a single cat is 2085 yuan, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024.

4. ating remains the main theme, and the medical track is' stepping on the brakes'.

From the perspective of consumption structure, the food market will still be the main consumer market in 2025, with a market share of 53.7%. Main grains, snacks, and nutritional supplements have slightly increased. Next is the medical market, with a market share of 27.6%, which has decreased compared to 2024. The market share of supplies and services is relatively low, at 12.2% and 6.5% respectively.

From the perspective of segmentation structure, in the food sector, the share of staple foods, snacks, and nutritional supplements has slightly increased compared to 2024. In the medical field, physical examinations have slightly increased, while drugs and diagnosis and treatment have slightly decreased.

5. Youthfulness of Pet Owners: Post-90s Dominate the Ranking, Post-2000s Chase Growth

90s pet owners are still the main force in pet ownership, accounting for 42.7%. Next are pet owners born in the 2000s and 80s, accounting for 26.3% and 24.5% respectively. With the rapid growth of the post-00s pet owner group, the proportion of pre-80s pet owners has further decreased, accounting for less than 10%.

Pet food sector: Fresh food is on the rise, with upgraded functions

1.       The word 'fresh' is the way, wet grain rolls dry grain?

By 2025, dog owners' preferences for freeze-dried food, baked goods, fresh food, and wet staple food will all increase. Among them, fresh grains and staple wet grains have seen a significant increase. Cat owners' preferences for baked goods, freeze-dried food, fresh food, and wind dried food have all increased. Among them, baked goods and fresh grains have seen a significant increase.

2.       The rise of fresh food, is it the pet owner's "rolling" of health, or the furry child's "picking" of taste?

The main reason for pet owners to feed fresh food is to pursue fresher and healthier ingredients, accounting for 39.2%. Secondly, 29.8% and 21.8% respectively believe that pets have higher nutritional value/are easier to digest and absorb, and they prefer to eat and have better palatability.

3.       Choosing fresh food: ingredients should be "transparent" and formulas should be "scientific"

Pet owners mainly focus on the freshness and source of ingredients, the scientific composition and formula of nutrients, and the palatability of pets when purchasing fresh food, accounting for 70.8%, 66.6%, and 64.6% respectively. Next is price and cost-effectiveness, accounting for 42.7%. Pet owners are most concerned about the source of meat when purchasing fresh food, accounting for 78.6%. Next are the addition of specific functional ingredients and high protein content, accounting for 58.3% and 56.2% respectively.

4.       Is red meat and seafood no longer fragrant? Poultry meat and fruits and vegetables are the top choices for pet food.

Pet owners tend to purchase poultry meat as their main pet food, accounting for 88.7%. Next are pet staple foods such as fish/seafood and red meat, accounting for 58.1% and 41.5% respectively. In terms of staple foods and auxiliary materials, pet owners tend to purchase staple foods containing fruits, vegetables, and fiber, accounting for 59.1%. Next are fats, oils, and additives, accounting for 51.5% and 50.4% respectively.

5.       Fresh meat>protein>meat content, the top three pet ingredients with high attention have been released.

In terms of ingredient composition, pet owners are most concerned about whether to use fresh meat, protein sources, and meat content, with attention rates of 63.4%, 60.8%, and 52%, respectively.

6.       Interactive snacks lead the way, and dog owners place greater emphasis on functional care.

In terms of purchasing snacks, interactive snacks are the main category purchased by pet owners, accounting for 75.0%. Next is traditional snacks, accounting for 57.0%. Functional snacks have a relatively low proportion, but still have high growth potential, accounting for 51.4%. From the perspective of dogs and cats, the proportion of dog owners purchasing functional snacks is relatively high, accounting for 58.7%.

7.       Dogs gnaw on dried meat, cats love canned food, and snacks are also divided into different schools?

Dog owners: Dried meat/meat strips are the main snacks purchased by dog owners, accounting for 81.2%. Next are teeth cleaning/chewing gum/grinding rods, freeze-drying, and canned dogs, accounting for 63.4%, 56.6%, and 55.0%, respectively. Cat owners: Canned cats, freeze-dried cats, and cat strips/snacks are the main snacks purchased by cat owners, accounting for 72.1%, 69.7%, and 68.2% respectively. Next is dried meat/fish, accounting for 57.7%.

8.       Snacks are no longer "fed casually", functionalization is the "hard currency".

Digestive health is a functional snack that dog owners and cat owners are more concerned about, accounting for 68.9% and 69.2% respectively. In addition, dog owners have a high level of concern for immune support, joint and bone health, and skin and fur health, with rates of 52.1%, 51.5%, and 51.0%, respectively. Cat owners have a high level of concern for skin and fur health, hair removal, and oral care, accounting for 53.2%, 50.2%, and 49.8%, respectively.

Pet supplies sector: deepening segmentation, upgrading consumption

1.       Cat litter is still "YYDS", while dog and cat bath liquid quietly "quietly increases".

Among dog supplies, pet toys and pet bedding are still the main categories purchased by dog owners, accounting for 72.1% and 71.5% respectively. In addition, the proportion of dog bath shampoo/hair protectant was 62.3%, an increase of 1.7 percentage points compared to 2024. Among cat supplies, cat litter, as an essential item for pet cats, is still the first choice for cat owners, accounting for 94.2%. In addition, the proportion of cat bath shampoo/conditioner is 49.8%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points compared to 2024.

2.       Pet owners' new philosophy of care: functionality should be "hardcore", taste should be "elegant".

Functional and universal are the main categories for pet owners to purchase shower gel and shampoo, accounting for 64.7% and 60.4% respectively. In terms of functional preferences, cleanliness and gentleness are the types that pet owners are more concerned about, accounting for 71.5% and 63.4% respectively. In terms of taste preference, pet owners tend to purchase light scented bath shampoo, accounting for 71.2%.

3.       Cat litter preference reshuffle: the rise of mixed litter and the cooling of traditional categories.

Cat owners mainly choose mixed cat litter, tofu cat litter, and bentonite cat litter, accounting for 45.8%, 40.2%, and 26.1% respectively. Compared to 2024, pet owners' preference for mixed cat litter and cassava cat litter has increased, while their preference for tofu cat litter and bentonite cat litter has decreased.

4.       Behind choosing cat litter, there is a clear 'roadmap for upgrading urban consumption'.

A high proportion of cat owners in first tier cities choose tofu cat litter, accounting for 48.3%; A high proportion of cat owners in second tier cities choose mixed litter, accounting for 47.4%; A high proportion of cat owners in third tier and below cities choose bentonite cat litter, accounting for 29.8%.

5.       Is' stay at home cat 'a thing of the past? More than half of cat owners have started taking their cats out.

52.9% of cat owners reported taking their cats out. 25.3% of pet owners have already purchased a towing rope, 43.3% of pet owners choose to purchase a towing rope, and only 31.4% of pet owners have reported that they will not purchase a towing rope.

6. 55.1% of pet owners focus on functionality, and the traction rope has entered the "professional era".

The functionality of the product, the material of the traction rope, and the product specifications are the decision-making factors that pet owners are most concerned about, accounting for 55.1%, 52.1%, and 51.5% respectively. Next is product durability, accounting for 48.7%. Compared to 2024, the proportion of pet owners choosing product functionality has increased, while other decision-making factors have decreased to varying degrees.

Pet healthcare: active diagnosis and treatment, prevention of stress

1. Busy with major illnesses and minor illnesses, go to the hospital to slow down deworming and immunization.

Compared with 2024, both dogs and cats have increased their visits to hospitals for diagnosis and treatment, accounting for 52.0% and 39.6% respectively. There has been a slight decrease in other types of visits.

2. The overall incidence of common diseases has decreased, while cat gastroenteritis and otitis externa have risen against the trend.

Among the common reasons for seeking medical attention in dogs, gastroenteritis, bacterial skin diseases, and respiratory infections are the main reasons, accounting for 6.9%, 5.9%, and 5.1% respectively. Compared with 2024, the proportion of cases of external auditory canal diseases, pancreatitis, and allergic skin diseases has increased, while the proportion of other diseases has decreased. Among the common reasons for seeking medical attention in cats, lower urinary tract syndrome, gastroenteritis, and upper respiratory tract infection syndrome are the main reasons, accounting for 10.2%, 7.8%, and 6.7% respectively. Compared with 2024, the proportion of cases of gastroenteritis and external auditory canal diseases has increased, while the proportion of other diseases has decreased.

3. Seeking medical advice before illness "is still mainstream, but online platforms have become the" second diagnosis and treatment room "for pet owners.

When pet owners need to know information about pet diseases, their main channels of choice are usually consulting doctors or directly seeking medical treatment at hospitals, accounting for 69.1% and 56.0% respectively. Next are search engine and knowledge sharing platform channels, accounting for 43.0% and 36.0% respectively. In addition, pet owners also choose to consult pet friends/pet store owners, grass planting platforms, and online consultation platforms to learn about relevant disease information, accounting for more than 20% of the total.

4. Cat infectious disease vaccine 'heating up', rabies vaccine 'cooling down'? The attitudes towards vaccination among dogs and cats are currently divided.

The vaccination rate of cat borne vaccines is still relatively high, accounting for 54.7%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points from 2024. The vaccination rate of rabies vaccine has slightly decreased compared to 2024, accounting for 22.5%. The vaccination rate of rabies vaccine for dogs has increased compared to 2024, accounting for 69.1%; The vaccination rate of feline rabies vaccine has decreased compared to 2024, accounting for 30.9%.

5.       2-3 annual deworming sessions have become the norm, with only 4% of pet owners experiencing zero deworming.

The proportion of pet owners who choose 2-3 times to deworm their pets is relatively high, accounting for 36.5%. Next are 4 times, 5 times and above, accounting for 15.6% and 24.7% respectively. Only 4.0% of pet owners do not deworm or do not pay attention to whether their pets are dewormed. 11.8% of pet owners do not regularly deworming. From the perspective of dogs and cats, oral deworming is mainly used for pet dogs, accounting for 55.1%, while droplet deworming is mainly used for pet cats, accounting for 77.7%.

6.       Does the pet owner say 'safety first' on their lips, but their body is more concerned about 'not being completely driven away'?

Pet owners are most concerned about the safety of deworming drugs when purchasing them, accounting for 80.4%, followed by the number of deworming types, convenience of use, and reputation, all accounting for over 30%. Compared to 2024, pet owners' attention to deworming species has increased. The attention to safety, ease of use, reputation, brand, doctor recommendations, and price has significantly decreased.

Pet services: demand differentiation, rational decision-making

1. Washing beauty is still the "world" of pet stores, and foster care has shown a trend of "diversion".

In terms of grooming and foster care, pet owners still prefer pet stores, accounting for 78.4% and 48.5% respectively. In addition, pet owners' choices of home cleaning services and professional home feeding services have increased compared to 2024, accounting for 3.2% and 11.4% respectively.

2. The logic of pet owners choosing stores has changed: from "nearby selection" to "good and valuable".

Good professional service, proximity to home, and clean and comfortable environment are the main factors affecting pet owners' choice of beauty salons, accounting for 63.3%, 60.2%, and 54.6% respectively. Among them, the proportion of those who are close to home has decreased, while the proportion of those who provide good professional services and have a clean and comfortable environment has increased. In addition, pet owners have significantly increased their attention to cost-effectiveness and user reputation, accounting for 32.1% and 27% respectively.

3. Choosing foster care for pet owners is more practical: cloud supervision, reputation evaluation, and comparing prices to become a new "three carriage".

The main factors considered by pet owners when choosing pet foster care institutions are the foster care method and a clean and comfortable environment, accounting for 45.2% and 41.6% respectively. Next are those who are close to home and those who specialize in service, accounting for 38% and 34.9% respectively. Compared with 2024, the proportion of real-time monitoring of pet status, user reputation, and affordable prices has significantly increased, while the proportion of those who are close to home, provide professional services, and have convenient appointments has decreased.

Alien Pet Sector: niche breaking through the circle, with distinct consumer characteristics

1. Niche pets are breaking through boundaries, and young people are achieving "pet freedom".

By 2025, the number of people raising exotic pets will continue to rise. Among them, pet owners who raise aquatic animals increased by 3.9 percentage points, accounting for 17.3%; The number of pet owners who raise reptiles has increased by 2.4 percentage points, accounting for 13.5%; The number of pet owners who raise birds has increased by 0.9 percentage points, accounting for 8.7%; The number of pet owners raising rodents increased by 0.8 percentage points, accounting for 7.6%.

2. There are also "top streams" in the exotic pet circle: turtles, snakes, and palace bullies climb the ranks of pets, while parrots and cold water fish each occupy their own mountains.

Among the species of exotic pets, turtles, snakes, and palace guards are still the main types of amphibians/reptiles raised, accounting for 57.8%, 50.4%, and 49.8% respectively; Golden bear and flower branch mouse are the main types of rodents raised, accounting for 32.1% and 21.5% respectively; Parrots are the main type of ornamental birds raised, accounting for 60.1%; Cold water and freshwater ornamental species are the main types of aquatic animals raised, accounting for 69.1%.

3. The word "food" comes first in the consumption of exotic pets, and compared to cats and dogs, they require more "medication".

In the exotic pet market, food and supplies are the main consumer markets, followed by pharmaceuticals and medical markets. Among them, rodents and crawling pets have a high demand for food, accounting for 92.1% and 93.5% respectively. Ornamental birds have a high demand for medicines, accounting for 41.4%.

Emerging Trends: What to Look for in Future Growth?

1. Pet travel: Take your pet to see the world and unleash the potential of travel services.

Pet owners have a high willingness/demand to travel with their pets, accounting for 71%. In addition, for paid pet travel services, 50.6% of pet owners have used such services before, and 26.6% of pet owners are not aware that such services have never been used. There are relatively few pet owners who do not trust or are unwilling to use paid pet travel services, accounting for 15.1% and 7.7% respectively.

2. Pet Traditional Chinese Medicine: Waiting patiently for the blue ocean to break through.

Currently, a small number of pet owners have some understanding of traditional Chinese medicine for pets. Among them, 17.5% of pet owners understand basic concepts, and 4.5% of pet owners are familiar with specific therapies. But pet owners have a good preference for traditional Chinese medicine treatment for their pets. 43.3% of pet owners try traditional Chinese medicine after Western medicine is ineffective, 19.6% of pet owners prioritize traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and 17.9% of pet owners use it as a supplement to health products.

3. Pet trading: Three essential factors for selecting pets - health, appearance, and after-sales service.

When purchasing pets, 76.6% of pet owners are most concerned about the health status of their pets, 47.8% of pet owners are more concerned about the breed, appearance, and bloodline of their pets, 33.2% of pet owners are more concerned about whether health protection/agreements are provided, 29.9% of pet owners are more concerned about whether the pet's personality is gentle and friendly, 27.2% of pet owners are more concerned about the seller's reputation and word-of-mouth, and 25.2% of pet owners are more concerned about the purchase price. Whether the source of pets is clear, the purchasing process is convenient, and the seller's attention to pet care guidance is relatively low, accounting for 11.9%, 8.7%, and 1.4% respectively.