经济日报：萌宠消费升温快

Core Insights - The pet consumption market in China is rapidly expanding, with the number of urban pets (dogs and cats) expected to exceed 120 million by 2024, driven by changing consumer attitudes and increasing demand for pet-related products and services [3][4] Market Trends - Pet owners are increasingly willing to invest time and money in their pets, leading to significant growth in the pet consumption market. The top two categories in pet product sales are cat and dog food, accounting for over 65% of total sales [3] - The transaction volume for pet services has surged by 3.9 times year-on-year, with sales of daily necessities, staple food, snacks, and toys for cats and dogs all experiencing over 100% year-on-year growth [3] Consumer Behavior - There is a noticeable shift in consumer focus from merely feeding pets to enhancing their health and quality of life. While traditional puffed pet food still holds the largest market share, there is a rapid increase in sales of premium pet food options such as dried food and meat snacks [3] - Sales of pet cleaning products and pet furniture (like cabinets and climbing frames) have also seen significant increases, indicating a broader trend towards improving pet living conditions [3] Regional Insights - The highest sales of pet products are concentrated in eastern provinces, correlating strongly with the economic and social development levels of these regions. Provinces like Hainan, Shanxi, Jiangxi, and Anhui show strong potential for pet economic growth [4] Industry Challenges - Despite the booming pet economy, challenges such as a lack of standards persist. The future of the pet industry requires continuous innovation from companies, focusing on precise nutrition and health management, alongside policy support and standardization [4]