What began as a niche market has now transformed into a formidable economic force rivaling traditional sectors like maternity care and cosmetics. Behind the growing spending on "fur babies" lies a vast commercial landscape, where fierce competition for specialized talent is quietly unfolding.
A Billion-Dollar Market Accelerates
From a modest sub-thousand-billion market a decade ago, China's pet economy is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach 811.4 billion yuan by 2025—an eightfold increase. This expansion goes beyond basic pet supplies, evolving into a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing veterinary care, smart devices, insurance, grooming, funeral services, travel, and even social networking. The pet economy now touches nearly every aspect of modern life.
Soaring Demand for Specialized Talent
The industry's rapid development has created unprecedented demand for skilled professionals. Data shows a 72.2% year-on-year increase in pet service job postings during Q2 2025, with veterinary positions surging nearly 200%. By Q3, overall job openings grew 43.7%, with veterinarians and groomers seeing 128.2% and 67.3% increases respectively—clear indicators of rising consumer expectations and emotional spending.
Among the fastest-growing occupations in early 2025, pet-related roles ranked second with 30.4% growth, trailing only machine learning engineers. While growth moderated slightly in Q3 due to market adjustments and a shift from quantity to quality in hiring, core positions like veterinarians remain critically undersupplied, signaling the sector's maturation.
The Rise of Multidisciplinary Professionals
As standardization, service specialization, and product innovation advance, the industry now demands professionals with multidimensional expertise—combining animal care knowledge with supply chain management, brand operations, technological innovation, legal compliance, and animal welfare awareness. This evolution reflects the pet economy's transition toward integrated, cross-disciplinary talent development.
Educational Reforms Meet Industry Needs
Traditional veterinary training can no longer keep pace with sector demands. In 2025, China Agricultural University pioneered the nation's first undergraduate program in "Companion Animal Science," offering a four-year bachelor's degree in agriculture. The curriculum covers nutrition, breeding, behavior studies, and care management—directly addressing industry requirements. This marks a shift from experience-based training to systematic academic preparation, with more institutions expected to follow.
This educational reform aligns with national strategies for industry-education integration, applied talent cultivation, and service sector modernization. While currently limited to one pilot program, its establishment represents a milestone in professionalizing pet-related education.
Policy Tailwinds and Future Prospects
Though not yet classified as an independent emerging industry, the pet economy intersects with multiple national priorities including green development, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and health services. Key segments like pet healthcare, food safety, and community services may receive policy support under China's broader modernization framework.
The sector's future success will depend not just on capital investment, but on developing human capital capable of meeting its complex demands. Institutions that can bridge the talent gap will gain strategic advantage in this evolving economic landscape.