Pet economy booms

As the Chinese seek more healthy and happy lives, they are willing to spend more on their furry friends

Cat owner Xiao Wanqing packs a big suitcase with imported cat food and toys at an international pet fair in Shanghai, and instructs a courier to deliver it to her home.

The 21st Pet Fair Asia, which ended in late August, received more than 140,000 visitors over its closing weekend.

And many visitors like Xiao came bringing big suitcases to buy imported pet products.

Xiao tends to trust the quality of imported cat food, as she says "big foreign pet food suppliers are more established and have good reputations".

More than 1,300 exhibitors set up booths in the 140,000-square-meter exhibition hall.

"My dog has a weak stomach, which food do you recommend," asks Zhang Ran, a middle-aged woman from Shanghai at Royal Canin's booth.

Then, based on the advice offered by Li Xi, the company's vet, Zhang orders 6 kilograms of digestive dog food for her Bichon Frise.

Zhang says that when she got her dog eight years ago, she knew only of two different types of dog food, one for puppies and one for adult dogs.

But now, there are more choices on the market, and she is keen to learn about the different types of food for different dog breeds.

Speaking about the choices available now, Li says: "China's pet food market is now seeing more products to cope with the rising demand of middle-class pet owners."