THE GROWTH LOGIC OF THE PET INDUSTRY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE CHANGES

In recent years, China’s pet economy has continued to expand, with its market size exceeding RMB 300 billion. This phenomenon is not only driven by rising household income, but more fundamentally by profound changes in demographic structure. Declining fertility, the growth of single-person households, and population aging have jointly reshaped the emotional demand structure of modern families. Pets have gradually evolved from traditional companion animals into carriers of family emotional companionship, thereby promoting the growth of a complete industrial chain covering pet food, healthcare, grooming, insurance, funeral services, and other related sectors. Taking demographic structure changes as the main thread and drawing on theories of emotional consumption and social support, this paper analyzes the driving logic of the pet economy through three pathways: low fertility, single-living patterns, and population aging. It also identifies practical dilemmas in industrial development and proposes countermeasures for the sustainable development of the industry.