China’s pet market accelerates with soaring online sales and premiumisation shifts

The Chinese pet industry is experiencing rapid changes driven by digital commerce, rising consumer standards, and a focus on health and ageing pets, with local brands gaining ground over global competitors.

China’s pet market is moving faster than its counterparts in mature economies, with product cycles that once took years now compressed into months, according to Ganesh Ramani, general manager of Mars Pet Nutrition China. The event drew more than 2,600 exhibitors, underscoring the scale of an industry being reshaped by digital commerce, social media and a wave of first-time owners.

Ramani said Chinese shoppers are unusually exacting, checking ingredients, formulations and manufacturing detail before buying. That scrutiny, he argued, is forcing manufacturers to raise standards and pushing weaker players out of the market. Industry data cited by China Pet Market suggests about 55% of pet-related sales now take place online, while the number of physical pet shops has fallen since the pandemic.

The market’s growth is also being driven by premiumisation. Research from Ken Research projects China’s pet food market will rise from $8.4bn in 2026 to $10.3bn by 2031. Other industry analysis puts the market at about $24bn, with local brands increasingly taking share from global groups.

Mars says 90% of its products sold in China are now made locally, and more than 40 China-specific products have been launched since 2025. Royal Canin, another Mars brand, said the market has shifted from quantity to quality, with health and longevity now central concerns. Attention is also turning to ageing pets, a segment the company sees as a major future opportunity.