Pet Care
in China
One of the world's fastest-growing pet markets — fuelled by 126 million urban pets, rising premiumization, and a generation that treats animals as family.
The Companion Economy
China's pet industry has undergone a transformation in less than a decade. In 2019, the market was worth ¥221 billion. By 2024, urban pet spending on dogs and cats alone surpassed RMB 302 billion ($42 billion) — growing 7.5% year-over-year even as the broader economy slowed.
The drivers are structural, not cyclical. A declining birth rate, rising single-person households, and an aging population have created a generation that channels companionship and emotional investment into pets. Over two-thirds of pet owners are millennials and Gen-Z — born during the One-Child Policy, less inclined to start families early, and willing to spend on premium products for their animals.
This isn't just a consumer trend. It's a demographic shift that makes pet care one of the most resilient growth categories in China's consumer economy.
Cats
- Cat market grew 10.7% in 2024 — outpacing dogs
- Overtook dogs in total numbers around 2021
- Lower space and time requirements suit urban apartments
- Cat food is the fastest-growing pet food segment
- Strong social media culture — cat content dominates Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) and Douyin
Dogs
- Higher average spend per pet than cats
- Growing demand for grooming, healthcare, and accessories
- Small breeds preferred in cities — Poodles, Pomeranians, Shiba Inus
- Dog ownership regulations tightening in major cities
- Premium imported dog food commands strong price premiums
Where the Money Goes
Pet food dominates spending, but healthcare, grooming, and smart tech are the fastest-growing segments — all with strong demand for imported and premium products.
Who You're Competing With
China's pet food market is highly fragmented. The top five global brands combined hold roughly 11% market share — leaving significant room for foreign brands with a clear positioning and the right distribution strategy.
Why Foreign Pet Brands Are Preferred
Chinese consumers actively seek out imported pet products — especially pet food. Three structural factors explain why.
Trust in Foreign Manufacturing
Past domestic food safety incidents created lasting caution. When it comes to products their pets ingest daily, Chinese consumers apply extra scrutiny to domestic brands.
Imported pet food — particularly from the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe — carries a built-in trust advantage that domestic brands are still working to overcome.
Premium Signals Quality
Pet owners in China are willing to pay significantly more for imported products. Higher prices signal better ingredients, stricter quality controls, and more advanced formulations.
Average sales prices for pet products have been rising 10-15% annually — consumers are actively trading up, not looking for the cheapest option.
Ingredient Transparency
E-commerce platforms like Tmall have launched "Pet Food Ingredient Transparency" initiatives, enabling consumers to compare formulations and sourcing. This benefits brands with nothing to hide.
Foreign brands with clean ingredient lists, open sourcing, and genuine nutritional claims gain a competitive edge in this increasingly informed market.
Cross-Border E-Commerce
Sell on Tmall Global without full MARA registration — faster to market, lower upfront costs.
- No Chinese entity required
- Simplified regulatory path — existing certifications accepted
- Products shipped from bonded warehouses in China
- Launch in 8-12 weeks
- Test the market before committing to domestic registration
- Lower tax rates (CBEC tax rate)
Domestic Registration
Full MARA and GACC registration for domestic sale across all channels.
- MARA registration required for each product (¥25-30K per product)
- Overseas manufacturer must register with GACC (~$20,000+)
- Chinese labeling and compliance requirements
- Access to the full domestic market including offline retail
- Domestic Tmall, JD, and offline distribution
- MARA license valid for 5 years (renewable)
Pet food — including treats, supplements, and accessories — sits on China's CBEC Positive List (跨境电商零售进口商品清单), the government-maintained catalog of product categories approved for cross-border e-commerce retail import. This is what makes the faster market entry path above possible.
Because pet food is on the positive list, foreign brands can sell directly to Chinese consumers via platforms like Tmall Global without completing the full MARA manufacturer registration or individual product approvals that domestic sale requires. Each consumer is subject to purchase limits of ¥5,000 per transaction and ¥26,000 per year — thresholds that are rarely hit for standard pet food orders.
12 years of experience, 100+ satisfied customers.
Helping foreign brands sell in China since 2013.
From MARA registration guidance and cross-border store setup to daily operations, influencer campaigns with pet KOLs, and logistics coordination — we handle your entire China pet brand launch.
International leadership. Local execution. One partner for your pet brand's China e-commerce operation — no middlemen, no scattered vendors.