Wu Jing, a pet owner in Hefei City, central China's Anhui Province, is going above and beyond to ensure her furry companion is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Days ahead of the arrival of the Year of the Snake, Wu bought a stylish new outfit for her beloved dog and prepared a special New Year's Eve feast just for him.
\"I treated my dog to an extra big chicken leg and a can of expensive dog food for his New Year's Eve dinner,\" Wu told China Media Group. \"After all, he's part of the family. I hope everyone, including him, can be happy.\"
Like Wu, millions of Chinese pet owners are finding ways to include their furry friends in the festive joy of China's most significant traditional festival, making them stars of the celebrations.
Trendsetting Furry Celebrations
RedNote, the Chinese social media platform also known as Xiaohongshu, is making waves with its heartwarming campaign \"Pets Celebrate the Chinese New Year Too,\" inviting users to share how they include their pets in the festivities.
Under the catchy slogan \"More Than Pets, They Are Family: Celebrate an Auspicious Year Together,\" RedNote encourages pet owners to showcase how they make their pets feel special during the holiday. From adorable pet costumes to festive treats, users are flooding the platform with creative and touching posts.
A recent search on the platform revealed more than 2 million posts related to the campaign. Some pet owners documented their long-distance drives back to their hometowns, while others shared before-and-after pictures of their pets transformed from stylishly groomed companions to muddy adventurers rolling in the fields.
Booming Pet Industry Shapes New Traditions
With the pet industry booming, innovative trends like special New Year's Eve dinners, lucky snacks, red envelopes with lucky money, and pet photo shoots are capturing the hearts of Chinese pet owners and reshaping their holiday spending habits.
On Chinese e-commerce platforms, pet New Year's Eve dinners featuring festive dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, abalone rice, and Wellington steaks are among the most popular items. Regionally, pet owners in Shanghai, Beijing, Xinjiang, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu are the most generous when it comes to spending on their pets' holiday feasts.
\"Data shows that sales of New Year's Eve dinners for cats are 2.34 times those of dog dinners, even though dog dinners are priced 12 yuan higher on average,\" said Sun Liming, head of the pet industry at Taobao, one of China's leading e-commerce platforms.
To meet consumer demand, pet stores have introduced a variety of festive products. A manager at a pet store, surnamed Zhang, said they stocked up on pet dinners, lucky snacks, New Year clothes, and toys ahead of the holiday.
\"These products are selling exceptionally well, especially the New Year's Eve packages for pets. Most buyers are young office workers and consumers born after 1990, who focus more on their pets' quality of life and are willing to spend more on them,\" Zhang said.
Pets as Family Members
This trend reflects a shifting perspective among Chinese pet owners, who increasingly view their pets as integral members of the family. By including pets in traditional celebrations, owners are not only indulging their furry friends but also enriching their own festive experiences.
As the Year of the Snake unfolds, pets across China are basking in the love and attention of their owners, enjoying the delights of the season. From special meals to new outfits, these cherished companions are truly stealing the show during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Reference(s):
Pets stealing the show: How furry friends celebrate Chinese New Year
cgtn.com
