In Beijing, a woman who moved to the capital a decade ago spends 5,000 RMB monthly treating her cat’s end-stage chronic kidney disease, committed to prolonging its life.

Social Context

Pet healthcare spending rose 40% in China’s Tier-1 cities from 2021–2023, driven by rising pet ownership and availability of advanced veterinary care. While not covered by public insurance, some commercial insurers now offer pet health plans—reflecting societal shift toward viewing pets as family members under the ‘Companion Animal Welfare Guidelines’.

Safety Tip

Budget for pet healthcare with dedicated savings or insurance; schedule biannual renal screenings for cats over age 7 to enable early intervention.