Market Overview - The pet consumption market in China is projected to exceed 300 billion yuan by 2024, reaching 300.2 billion yuan with a year-on-year growth of 7.5% [1][14] - The dog consumption market is expected to reach 155.7 billion yuan, growing by 4.6%, while the cat consumption market is anticipated to reach 144.5 billion yuan, with a significant growth rate of 10.7% [1][15] Pet Population - The total number of pet dogs and cats in urban areas is expected to rise to 124.11 million by 2024, marking a 2.1% increase from 2023 [2][17] - The number of pet dogs is projected to be 52.58 million, growing by 1.6%, while pet cats will reach 71.53 million, increasing by 2.5% [2][17] - Pet cats now account for 57.63% of the total pet population, indicating a growing preference for cats among households [2][19] Market Penetration - The penetration rate of pet ownership in China is still low compared to developed countries, with an estimated dog ownership rate of 17.8% in 2023, expected to rise to 19.4% by 2026 [2][18] - This suggests significant potential for growth in the Chinese pet market as pet ownership becomes more widespread [2][18] Consumption Structure - The overall consumption structure in the pet market remains stable, with slight fluctuations in specific segments. Categories such as pet staple food, nutritional products, pet boarding, and pet insurance are seeing a small increase, while pet snacks, supplies, medical services, vaccines, and grooming are experiencing slight declines [2][23] - Pet staple food continues to dominate the market, reflecting the importance of core consumption categories [2][23] Consumer Demographics - Female pet owners constitute 60.5% of the pet-owning population, while males account for 39.5% [3] - The primary pet-owning demographic is the post-90s generation, making up over 60%, indicating a higher emotional investment in pets among younger consumers [3] - Pet owners generally have higher education levels, with 67.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, and they tend to have strong purchasing power [3] Regional Distribution - Pet ownership is most prevalent in third-tier cities, which account for over 30% of pet owners, while first and second-tier cities have similar ownership rates [4] - Major cities like Beijing, Hebei, and Shanghai are the top regions for pet ownership, driven by economic development and widespread pet care services [4] Consumer Preferences - The average monthly expenditure per pet has shifted towards more rational spending, with a decrease in high spenders (over 500 yuan) and an increase in mid-range spenders (100-500 yuan) [5] - Pet food remains the most significant expense, accounting for 44.7% of total spending, followed by pet medical care at 20.7% [5] Online and Offline Channels - Online shopping is preferred for pet food, snacks, and deworming products, with 83.9%, 73.6%, and 53.7% of pet owners purchasing these items online, respectively [5] - Conversely, offline channels dominate for services requiring personal interaction, such as pet medical care and grooming, where over 40% of purchases occur in physical stores [5] Trends in Pet Products - The preference for domestic pet food has surged, with 57.7% of pet owners choosing local brands in 2024, a significant increase from previous years [6] - Functional pet food and health products are gaining traction, with probiotics, vitamins, and calcium supplements being the most popular categories [6] Future Outlook - The pet consumption market is expected to evolve with a focus on functional, intelligent, and personalized products, driven by the increasing awareness of pet health and well-being [8] - The market for pet services is also anticipated to grow, with online consultations and niche services like pet photography gaining popularity [9]