by Xinhua writer Yue Xitong

BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A festive atmosphere is in the air with China's Spring Festival fast approaching. For Gen Z member Yang Zhiye, her pre-holiday checklist includes an essential appointment for a beauty makeover for her pet companion, 13-year-old Teddy.

"Pets need a fresh look for the traditional new year too," Yang said, in referring to her dog. She has also curated a festive wardrobe for her furry companion. In China, getting a haircut and donning new attire to usher in the Chinese New Year symbolizes a fresh start and is believed to wash away bad luck.

The Spring Festival, China's most important traditional festival, falls on Tuesday this year. Chinese pet owners are making sure their four-legged companions join in the celebrations, turning festive rituals into moments for the whole family, paws included.

The dog Yang grew up with is treated with the same full ceremonial care as any human family member. Beyond a new look, it will also feast on a special pet meal on Chinese New Year's Eve. Its festive ritual will be completed by featuring in a family portrait along with her owner to mark this special celebration.

Stories like this are becoming increasingly common in China, given the rise in pet ownership and the growing status of animals in households. According to a recent pet industry report, the pet population in China's urban areas had reached 126 million in 2025, fueling a consumption market valued at more than 312 billion yuan (about 45 billion U.S. dollars).

Yang Qiqing, director of the Shanghai Pet Trade Association, predicted that the country's pet economy would hit 800 billion yuan within the next five years, a forecast based on the impact of multiple factors, including China's economic growth, demographic evolvement and societal shift.

With upgraded living standards and strengthened pursuit of emotional companionship, Chinese people now see pets not as just animals, but rather as important family members. Notably, the younger generation of pet owners tends to treat their pets like their own flesh and blood, resulting in a whole new level of love and care.

This means that four-legged children are not absent from important moments, attending the likes of wedding ceremonies and many other festive celebrations. Pet spending in China is shifting from meeting basic needs to focusing on quality, services and festive rituals, observers noted.

Driven by an enthusiasm for festive rituals for furry families, a surge in tailor-made, pet-focused purchases has become a highlight of this year's Spring Festival holiday consumption season.

Pet shops and online retailers have reported strong sales of nutrient-balanced pet meals packaged in festive red gift boxes. Many of these sets include pet-safe dumplings and egg yolk-style treats, with prices ranging from around 60 to over 100 yuan.

Far from mere repackaging of everyday pet food, these products weave Spring Festival cultural elements into their designs, from freeze-dried morsels shaped like gold bars, ingots and lucky pouches to gift boxes adorned with seasonal motifs.

"Our sets include a soft-braised meat platter for senior dogs, a grain-free chicken-and-pumpkin combination for sensitive-stomach cats, and a high-protein beef-and-vegetable box for lively puppies," said a pet bakery owner surnamed Wang in Taiyuan, capital city of north China's Shanxi Province.

Data also reflect this market surge. E-commerce platform JD.com has recently seen explosive growth in sales of dry pet food and snacks through livestreaming, with transaction volume in some categories soaring 50 percent.

Taking New Year family portraits with pets, meanwhile, is also included on a must-do list by many Chinese households. According to a pet photography studio in Beijing's Chaoyang District, it has photographed approximately 100 pets in just over a month, with sessions priced between 399 and 699 yuan, depending on the setup and subjects.

With a more caring social attitude towards furry friends, China has also improved its supportive services for pet owners.

This year, pets can have a comfortable seat along with their owners on trips for family reunions during the holiday, as China's railway operator has improved travel arrangements for furry passengers.

Pilot high-speed rail transport services for pets have been in operation since April 2025 and were later expanded to cover 110 stations, in response to rising demands during the Spring Festival travel rush. Some airlines have also rolled out "pet cabin" services, charging between 999 and 2,000 yuan per booking.

Zhou Shuoren, who works in public relations in Beijing, chose a pet-friendly flight to her hometown this year. "Although the procedure is complex, requiring quarantine certificates and strict security checks, it's worth it," Zhou said. She paid around 1,400 yuan for her pet's ticket, an amount comparable to a human economy fare.

Various pet-related services have further stimulated the pet market and created more spending scenarios.

In addition to traditional boarding services, which mainly include changing water and food, cleaning litter boxes and walking dogs, new forms of services have emerged and gained popularity. A pet company in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, rolled out a one-week pet trip itinerary for this Spring Festival holiday, with all spots booked within just two weeks.

People's attitude towards animals reflects their level of civilization and the country's economic development, Yang Qiqing believes.

On her pet-friendly flight, Zhou found other passengers surprisingly friendly. "It shows that pets are increasingly accepted as family members who shouldn't be left behind during the most important traditional festival of the year," she said. Enditem

(Intern Zhou Xinyi contributed to the story.)