According to forecasts from Goldman Sachs, if current trends continue, China will have nearly twice as many urban pets as young children by 2030. This is staggering news for a country that is struggling to raise its birth rate, while at the same time seeing a growing trend of people adopting dogs and cats—sometimes in place of having children. The line between life with pets and life with children is becoming increasingly blurred. In fact, in a scenario no one anticipated, some people in China are even taking their pets to cafes and shops “to work.”
The situation. Many couples with young children face significant work-life balance challenges, as children occupy most of their time, including weekends. To alleviate this, there are daycare centers, toy libraries, camps, and cafes where parents can leave their children for a few hours.
In China, where pets are increasingly becoming part of the family, a similar trend is emerging for dogs and cats. As a result, the market for “pet entertainment” is flourishing, according to China Daily. Pet owners can leave their animals at daycare centers and cafes for a few hours. The difference is that some pet cafe owners offer “salary” packages of snacks and discounts for cats and dogs. It’s a win-win for both animals and owners.
Going deeper. According to the Financial Times, in 2017, when China had around 90 million children under the age of four, the urban pet population (dogs and cats) was approximately 40 million. This year, the number of toddlers and pets will be about 58 million each. However, by the end of the decade, China will have fewer than 40 million children under four, compared to more than 70 million urban pets.
A similar trend is occurring in Japan, which is also facing a significant birth crisis. There, according to the FT, the pet population is already four times larger than the number of infants. In the U.S., the world’s largest pet market, data from the government and the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that in 2020, there were between 84 million and 89 million dogs and 60 million to 62 million cats, compared to 73 million children of all ages.
There’s business here. As a result, the pet food and care industries are thriving. According to Goldman Sachs, as the population of domestic dogs and cats grows and surpasses that of newborns, the market for feeding and caring for them will expand into a booming $12 billion industry, a figure the U.S. analyst forecasts by the end of this decade.
What no one predicted was that the market in China would grow “that much.”
The dog cafe. CNN recently reported the story of Jane Xue as an example of the growing trend in China. Xue and her partner sent their 2-year-old Samoyed, OK, to her first day of “camp” in mid-September. Her destination was one of the many dog cafes that have emerged in Fuzhou, in southeastern China. “I feel it’s just like parents sending their kids off to school,” she told CNN as she dropped off OK for his new part-time “job.”
Like thousands of pet owners in China, Xue was looking for a way to entertain her dog while enjoying some free time. She told CNN that the trend, known in Chinese as “Zhengmaotiaoqian,” allows pets to experience something new while their owners make plans and have time for themselves. “Sending OK to the cafe is a win-win. She gets to play with other dogs and won’t feel so lonely,” Xue said.
Cafes and stores with pets. In China, an increasing number of pet owners are sending their animals to cafes and shops. These establishments allow visitors to interact with cats and dogs while enjoying drinks, creating a highly profitable business model in the country.
How they work. In addition to caring for the animals, customers can pay a fee to enter or enjoy beverages while spending time with the pets. Prices range from 30 to 60 yuan ($4 to $8), contributing to the rapid expansion of these facilities. Additionally, as Xue noted, there are economic benefits for pet owners, as sending their dog to a cafe can help bring down costs, such as keeping the air conditioner running all day at home.
A growing market. China’s first cat and dog cafe opened in Guangzhou in 2011. Since then, the industry has grown exponentially. As CBNData states, the number of establishments has increased by 200% each year, according to an English translation provided by Google. By 2023, more than 4,000 businesses will be dedicated exclusively to pet care.
Bulletin board. The demand for this market in China is so high that pet owners and daycare cafe proprietors post ads and resumes for their animals on Xiaohongshu, a social network similar to Instagram.
Implications. This rapid growth fundamentally reflects a love of pets and a tendency to find new ways to integrate animals socially and economically into people’s daily lives in China. It’s also a symptom of the country’s severe birth crisis, highlighting how animals are increasingly replacing children in families.
Pets are no longer just pets. Their role in Chinese households is becoming increasingly significant in the country’s social and economic dynamics.
Image | Cup of Couple
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