China's grass roots growing love affair with the domestic cat

The title might seem odd when you consider in the south of China domestic cats are eaten after a brutal death. That cat meat marketplace is a great stain on the public profile of this enormous country and it is time it was removed but today I can report thanks to a China Daily article that, on my assessment, China has a growing love affair with the domestic cat because year-on-year there has been a 12.6% increase in the number of pet cats in that country according to a white paper released by Pet Data a data science company in 2023. I don't believe any other country has such growth in cat ownership.

I suspect that it is thanks to a low starting point. China has a human population of 1.4 billion (2022).  Nationwide there were about 67.3 million pet owners in 2023 according to Global Times. This is a much lower percentage compared to the US or UK for instance.

The value of the pet dog and cat market in China is $37.34 billion which is a rise of 8.7% from 2021. All the metrics point to a very rapidly increasing domestic cat marketplace for a low start.

There is a growing trend of younger Chinese people adopting pet cats! Here's why:

• Shifting cultural attitudes: Traditionally, dog ownership was more common, but cats are increasingly seen as companions, especially in urban areas.
• Lifestyle changes: Smaller living spaces and busy schedules make cats, known for their independence, a good fit for modern life.
• Social media influence: Platforms like Weibo and WeChat showcase adorable cats, fostering a love for felines.

Here are some signs of this trend:

• Rise of cat cafes: These cafes allow people to interact with cats while enjoying refreshments.
• Growth of pet adoption platforms: Websites and apps connect people with cats needing homes, including rescues and shelters.
• Increase in pet industry: More pet stores, cat-specific products, and veterinary services cater to this growing population.

While there's no definitive data, anecdotal evidence and industry trends suggest pet cat adoption, especially by younger generations, is on the rise in China.

Reasons for rise in pet ownership

The rise of pet cat adoption among younger Chinese citizens can be attributed to a confluence of social, cultural, and economic factors:

Shifting Cultural Attitudes:

• Companion animals, not just pets: Traditionally, pets in China served a functional purpose, like guard dogs. Younger generations view pets as companions, providing emotional support and love.
• The "one-child policy" effect: With smaller families due to the one-child policy (ended in 2016), cats can fill a void and provide companionship in a way that wasn't as prevalent before.

Lifestyle Changes:

• Urbanization and smaller living spaces: Living in apartments often means limited space. Cats, with their independent nature and need for less room compared to dogs, are a better fit.
• Busy schedules: Younger generations often work long hours. Cats require less attention than dogs, needing a clean litter box and playtime, making them easier to manage.

Social Media Influence:

• The "cute factor": Platforms like Weibo and WeChat are flooded with adorable cat pictures and videos. This constant exposure fuels a desire to have a feline friend.
• Celebrity cat owners: Seeing celebrities with pet cats normalizes cat ownership and makes it more aspirational.

Economic Factors:

• Growing disposable income: Younger generations have more disposable income than previous generations, allowing them to afford cat food, litter, and veterinary care.
• Rise of the pet industry: The booming pet industry provides readily available cat supplies and services, making cat ownership more convenient.

Additional factors:

• Animal welfare concerns: Younger generations are more concerned about animal welfare and may be drawn to adoption to give a loving home to a cat in need.
• Stress relief and emotional support: Cats are known to be calming companions, which can be appealing in a fast-paced society with high stress levels.

In conclusion, the rise of pet cat adoption in China stems from a complex interplay of social acceptance, changing lifestyles, online influence, economic growth, and a growing awareness of animal welfare.

I am hopeful that this will swamp and push out the stain on the public profile of China that I mention above. There is no place in a country where there are millions of cat lovers for a marketplace in the south of the country where they kill them under unregulated conditions and then eat them because they believe it cures arthritis or some other chronic illness. A sad example of superstition leading to animal cruelty of the most heinous kind. See below for more on this market.

Allergies

And the China Daily report also mentions that there is an increasing number of people who are allergic to cats. A hospital in China states that 12.3% of people in China reported being troubled by cat allergies, which is about the typical average of around 10%. 

This is the classic allergy to the Fel D1 cat allergen. The figure is lower for dogs in Chnia with those who are allergic to dog dander dropping from 7.4% to 4.6% according to this report.

As an aside, if a person is allergic to one animal it is plausible to suggest that they will be allergic to another. People can be allergic to horses for the same reason they might be allergic to cats. It's due to a protein allergen which finds its way onto the hair and people allergic to horses are said to be allergic to horse hair as is the case for the Japanese Empress Masako who wore a Covid-19 mask when travelling in a carriage with the King on a very recent royal visit.

China's citizens' growing love of the domestic cat is leading to ways to live with the cat if you are allergic to them. They don't want to give up dogs and cats even when they are allergic according to this report which is also typical. 

Managing allergies

There are ways to manage one's allergy, the most potent of which is immunotherapy which desensitises the immune system to which you can add various practical ploys such as installing a HEPA filter and keeping the home as free of cat dander as possible by regular hoovering.

That's because the Fel D1 allergen is in cat dander which is dried saliva and other particles lodged in the hair. It flies off and is deposited on items of furniture around the home and on the floor resulting in the allergen being present in the home for a long time.

Essentially, the "cure" or management is to reduce exposure to allergens combined with immunotherapy. But there's no magic cure. It's all about management.

Cat meat China

The cat meat trade in southern China is a complex and controversial issue. Here's what you need to know:

• Prevalence: While not as common as it once was, the trade does persist in southern provinces like Guangdong and Guangxi.
• Legality: There's a grey area. Cat meat consumption itself isn't illegal, but there are regulations around slaughter and transport. Many animals come from questionable sources, stolen pets or strays.
• Scale: Estimates vary, but millions of cats (around 4 million according to Humane Society International) are believed to be culled for meat in China annually.

There's growing opposition to the trade:

• Animal welfare concerns: Cruelty in transport and slaughter is widespread.
• Shifting public opinion: Younger generations in China are more likely to view cats as companions, not food.
• International pressure: Animal rights groups are campaigning for a ban.

Here are some resources for further reading:

• Animal Equality: Describes the trade and their efforts to stop it [animal equality cat meat china ON Animal Equality animalequality.org]
• South China Morning Post: Investigative report on the supply chain [Uncovering China's illegal cat meat trade]

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.