China Companion Animal Health Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Equine), By Product (Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics), By Distribution Channel (Retail, E-commerce), By End-use (Hospitals & Clinics),- Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2025-2034

China Companion Animal Health Market Size and Research

The China companion animal health market size was exhibited at USD 1.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 4.06 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 11.23% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034.

China Companion Animal Health Market Key Takeaways:

• The dogs segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.57% in 2024.
• The cat segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
• The pharmaceuticals segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 44.45 % in 2024.
• The diagnostic segment is anticipated to grow at the fatsest CAGR over the forecast period.
• Hospital/ clinic pharmacies dominated the market with a share of 58.87% in 2024.
• The e-commerce segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
• Hospitals & clinics dominated the market with a share of 51.0% in 2024.
• Point-of-care segment is anticipated to grow with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Report Scope of China Companion Animal Health Market

The growing companion animal population and increasing incidence of diseases in animals are key drivers contributing to market growth in the country. For instance, according to the data published in August 2024, China's urban pet population is projected to surpass 70 million by 2034, nearly double the number of children under the age of four, which is expected to drop below 40 million.

This sharp demographic shift is attributed to the reluctance of young Chinese to start families, a trend influenced by economic pressures, changing social norms, and urban lifestyles. This surge in pet ownership is driving the need for vaccines, medications, preventive care, and advanced treatments to ensure the health and well-being of pets. Furthermore, the growing middle class and the humanization of pets are amplifying this trend, making pet healthcare an integral part of household spending in urban China.

Chinese pet parents spent about USD 40 billion annually on their pets, and this trend was anticipated to increase over time. According to the “2023-2024 China Pet Industry White Paper”, China has become one of the largest consumer of pet health products in the world. This factor combined with growing initiatives by market players is expected to propel the market growth. For instance, in January 2024, Zoetis, Inc. introduced an expansion to its Vetscan Imagyst diagnostics platform, incorporating AI urine sediment analysis, enabling swift and precise in-clinic analysis for veterinarians to expedite treatment decisions, enhancing care for canine & feline patients.

In addition, infectious diseases caused by virulent pathogens may seriously affect the animals way of life and lifespan. The demand for various preventive and treatment options, such as vaccines and pharmaceuticals, is anticipated to increase with growing pet health awareness. Many veterinarians and clinicians recommend screening pets for infectious diseases annually. This can enable timely detection of communicable diseases, ensure treatment, and may also contribute to prevention of complex cases. The growing incidence of zoonoses, pet health concerns, and product developments by market players is expected to fuel the segment.

China Companion Animal Health Market By Animal Type Insights

The dogs segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.57% in 2024. These high numbers can be attributed to increasing population of pet dogs in China. According to recent statistics, China is home to 54.29 million pet dogs. This trend is anticipated to increase in coming years, owing to growing consumption and commercial penetration of dog products & services. Pet owners are also more willing to spend on their pet’s health due to changing perceptions and societal shifts. As more pet parents treat their pet dogs as family members, the demand for timely and preventive veterinary care products & services is expected to increase over time.

The cat segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. According to a whitepaper on China’s pet industry by PwC, 88% of pet parents in the country are female. About 50% were estimated to be single and 50% were estimated to be millennials born after 1990. Also, according to the data published by CHINA SCIO in June 2023, Tianjin-based pet food company Yuanchuangpinzhi has been operating two automated production lines, including one for canned cat food, running at full capacity since September 2022. Such initiatives by the local players and growing awareness about pet health is expected to fuel the market, presenting opportunities for players.

China Companion Animal Health Market By Product Insights

The pharmaceuticals segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 44.45 % in 2024. Advancements in pet medicine, including new drugs and treatments, provide more options to manage health conditions and are expected to drive pharmaceutical demand. Positive FDA assessments for drugs and manufacturing sites in the country will probably increase demand for pharmaceuticals, further boosting market growth. For instance, in April 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim Biopharmaceuticals China received approval for supply in EU and US markets for its OASIS manufacturing site in Shanghai. This advancement in regulatory compliance highlights the country's increasing alignment of pharmaceutical production with global quality standards, including ICH and GxP regulations.

The diagnostic segment is anticipated to grow at the fatsest CAGR over the forecast period. Growing awareness about animal diseases, pet expenditure, developing veterinary healthcare infrastructure, and initiatives by key market players are expected to fuel the market over the coming years. NRP Group in China (now a part of Boehringer Ingelheim) has set up more than 1,400 central hospitals, referral centers, specialist hospitals, and community hospitals in 80+ core cities across the country. It owns over 50% of high-end MRI/CT facilities in the industry. In addition, the NRP Group serves a large customer base of over 10 million pet-owning households annually. The Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Hong Kong, for instance, provides a range of services, such as imaging and diagnostic services. These include MRI, CT, radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

China Companion Animal Health Market By Distribution Channel Insights

Hospital/ clinic pharmacies dominated the market with a share of 58.87% in 2024. This segment represents the revenue generated by veterinary hospitals & clinics, which directly provide medications, vaccines, customized therapies, and diagnostic test kits to pet owners. The China companion animal health industry is anticipated to grow as a result of significant companies expanding their networks of vet pharmacies. For instance, as per an article published by Xinhuanet.com in October 2021, there were about 12,000 pet hospitals in China and growing number of students were opting for veterinary medicine. This is anticipated to fuel demand for pet medicine and diagnostic products in the coming years.

The e-commerce segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Rising digitalization of healthcare, including animal health market; growing R&D projects in pipeline, and increasing incidence of chronic conditions in animals are expected to fuel market growth over the forecast period. For instance, MyElanco is an online portal of Elanco to access product information, pricing and dispensing options as the company reported a shift in purchasing behavior of veterinarians, farmers, and pet parents through online channels.

China Companion Animal Health Market By End-use Insights

Hospitals & clinics dominated the market with a share of 51.0% in 2024. As people increase expenditure on pets, companion animal health market is expected to expand to include not just clinics but also products and services, such as magnetic resonance imaging in hospitals and clinics This presents opportunity for new market entrants. With increasing demand for animal health care in the country, several veterinarians find opportunity in hopitals and clinics contributing to the growth of the segment. For instance, China is a hub for many veterinary hospitals and clinics such as, PAW Veterinary Clinic (Huangpu), Advanced Vet Care Veterinary Hospital, Doctors Beck & Stone (Minghang), and many others.

Point-of-care segment is anticipated to grow with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Point of care testing in veterinary medicine involves using various products to conduct preventive or diagnostic tests at the site where the pet receives care, such as a veterinary clinic or a pet’s home. It allows tests to be performed at the site where the pet receives care, eliminating the need to visit a separate laboratory or clinic. By establishing a continuous spectrum of veterinarian treatment, particularly for non-urgent illnesses, lessens the anxiety that comes with in-clinic visits.

Some of the prominent players in the China companion animal health market include:

• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Elanco
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Zoetis
• Ceva
• Virbac
• Bimeda, Inc.
• IDEXX Laboratories
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Randox Laboratories

China Companion Animal Health Market By Recent Developments

• In April 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH entered into a partnership with Sino Biopharmaceutical, a China based, Beijing-headquartered drug maker to develop better innovative products and comprehensively improve the health of human and animals.
  
  
• In November 2023, Bimeda, Inc. expanded its presence in China by introducing a state-of-the-art sterile injectable manufacturing plant in the country. The company spent USD 26.44 million on the facility in Shijiazhuang.

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the China companion animal health market

By Animal Type

• Dogs
• Cats
• Equine
• Others

By Product

• Biologics

• • Vaccines

• • • Modified/ Attenuated Live
    • Inactivated (Killed)
    • Other Vaccines

• • Other Biologics

• Pharmaceuticals

• • Parasiticides
  • Anti-infectives
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesics
  • Others

• Supplements
• Diagnostics
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Retail
• E-commerce
• Hospital/ Clinic Pharmacies

By End-use

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Point-of-Care
• Others