Core Viewpoint - The Chinese pet market is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing pet ownership and emotional consumption, leading to a shift towards customized and functional pet food tailored to different life stages and health needs [1][2]. Group 1: Market Overview - The pet economy in China is substantial and steadily growing, with a projected growth rate of over 10% year-on-year in 2024, and further acceleration expected in 2025 due to diversified service scenarios and health management upgrades [2]. - The number of pet cats has rapidly increased, surpassing dogs, with 71.53 million cats expected by 2024, while dog numbers remain stable [4]. Group 2: Pet Food Market - Domestic pet food brands dominate the mass market, with differentiation driven by product characteristics [6]. - The pet food market is seeing a trend towards wet food and freeze-dried options, with over half of pet owners feeding their pets canned or soft-packaged wet food [20][21]. Group 3: Pet Owner Demographics - A higher proportion of pet owners are women, primarily aged 26-35, residing in high-tier cities with stable incomes [8]. - Most pet owners are married with children, and many have one pet, indicating a trend towards single-pet households [9][11]. Group 4: Pet Care and Emotional Connection - Pet owners report a strong emotional bond with their pets, rating their feelings at an average of 9 out of 10, viewing pets as family members and companions [14]. - Despite challenges in pet care, owners maintain a responsible and accommodating attitude towards their pets [16]. Group 5: Nutritional Awareness - Pet owners prioritize nutrition and health, showing a high level of recognition for scientific and staged feeding practices [18]. - The demand for functional nutritional supplements is rising, with probiotics being the most popular choice among pet owners [24][25]. Group 6: Feeding Habits by Life Stage - For puppies and kittens, owners focus on providing balanced nutrition and disease prevention, with a preference for high-quality ingredients [30][32]. - Young adult pets require a higher intake of protein and regular exercise, with owners spending more on food and supplements [38][40]. - Senior pets need special dietary considerations, with a focus on easy-to-chew, low-calorie foods that support joint health and overall well-being [46][48]. Group 7: Purchasing Behavior - Pet owners tend to purchase food from online platforms and specialty stores, with a focus on promotions and nutritional content [34][42][50]. - The purchasing frequency and spending vary by life stage, with young adult pets leading to higher expenditures compared to puppies and senior pets [44][52].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese pet market is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing pet ownership and emotional consumption, leading to a shift towards customized and functional pet food tailored to different life stages and health needs [1][2]. Group 1: Market Overview - The pet economy in China is substantial and steadily growing, with a projected growth rate of over 10% year-on-year in 2024, and further acceleration expected in 2025 due to diversified service scenarios and health management [2]. - The number of pet cats has rapidly increased, surpassing dogs, with 71.53 million cats expected by 2024, while dog numbers remain stable [4]. Group 2: Pet Food Market - Domestic pet food brands dominate the mass market, with differentiated competition driven by product characteristics [6]. - The main types of pet food include wet food and dry food, with over 54.9% of pet owners feeding their pets wet food, reflecting a demand for high palatability and health [20][21]. Group 3: Pet Owner Demographics - The majority of pet owners are women aged 26-35, primarily residing in high-tier cities with stable incomes and higher education levels [8]. - Most pet owners are married with children, and many have one pet, indicating a trend towards single-pet households [9][11]. Group 4: Pet Owner Attitudes - Pet owners have a strong emotional connection with their pets, viewing them as family members and sources of joy, with an average emotional bond rating of 9 out of 10 [14]. - There is a high recognition of the importance of nutrition and health for pets, with many owners adopting scientific feeding practices based on their pets' life stages [18]. Group 5: Pet Nutrition Supplements - The demand for functional nutrition supplements is rising, with probiotics being the most popular choice among pet owners at 53% [24][25]. - Pet owners are increasingly focused on precise nutritional needs, moving from general supplementation to targeted functional products [24]. Group 6: Feeding Habits by Life Stage - For puppies and kittens, owners prioritize nutrition and disease prevention, with a preference for high-quality food options [30][32]. - Young adult pets require balanced nutrition and regular exercise, with owners spending more on food and supplements [38][40]. - Senior pets need special dietary considerations, with a focus on easy-to-digest foods and essential nutrients to maintain health [46][48].

Core Insights - The Chinese pet market is experiencing steady growth driven by increasing pet ownership and emotional consumption, with a projected growth rate of over 10% in 2024 [2] - The demand for customized pet food is rising, focusing on different life stages and health needs, leading to a shift from generic to specialized and functional pet food [1][2] - The market for pet nutritional supplements is expected to become more segmented, with a growing emphasis on health management and functional products like probiotics and fish oil [1][24] Pet Market Overview - The pet economy in China is closely linked to the national economic development, with a shift in consumer spending from material to emotional consumption [2] - By 2025, the pet market is anticipated to expand rapidly, with diverse service scenarios and health management becoming more refined [2] Pet Population and Types - The number of pet cats has surged, surpassing dogs, with 71.53 million cats expected by 2024, while dog numbers remain stable [4] Pet Food Market Dynamics - Domestic pet food brands dominate the mass market, with differentiation driven by product characteristics [6] Pet Owner Demographics - A higher proportion of pet owners are women, primarily aged 26-35, residing in high-tier cities with stable incomes [8] - Most pet owners are married with children, and many have significant pet care experience [9][11] Emotional Connection with Pets - Pet owners report a strong emotional bond with their pets, viewing them as family members and sources of joy [14] Challenges in Pet Care - Despite the challenges of pet ownership, such as pets resisting care routines, owners maintain a responsible and accommodating attitude [16] Nutritional Awareness - Pet owners prioritize nutrition and health, showing a high level of recognition for scientific and staged feeding practices [18] Pet Food Consumption Trends - Wet and freeze-dried foods lead the market, with functional pet food becoming increasingly popular [20] - Over half of pet owners have fed their pets wet food (54.9%) and freeze-dried food (53.8%) [21] Pet Treats and Snacks - The pet treat market is diversifying, with a shift towards functional treats that provide health benefits [22] - Cat and dog treats are popular, with 61.1% of owners feeding their pets cat/dog sticks [23] Nutritional Supplements - Probiotics are the most popular nutritional supplement, with 53.0% of pet owners using them to support gut health [24][25] - There is a trend towards more precise and functional nutritional supplements tailored to specific health needs [24] Age-Specific Pet Care - Pets are categorized into three life stages: juvenile (under 1 year), young adult (1-10 years), and senior (over 10 years) [28] - Each life stage has distinct nutritional and care requirements, influencing purchasing habits and product preferences [30][38][46] Purchasing Behavior - Pet owners tend to spend more on food and supplements as pets age, with a focus on quality and health benefits [50][52] - Online shopping platforms are increasingly preferred for purchasing pet products, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior [50]