Recently, an increasing number of pet lovers are willing to invest time and money in their pets. These pet lovers are also investing in their pets’ health and illnesses. As this trend grows, business opportunities arise. In the United States, online medical care has emerged as a new pet business service. In response to the booming pet-related market, an increasing number of companies are offering online medical consultations for dogs, cats, and other animals. These emerging companies are expanding their businesses to offer a wider range of pet medical services. Chewy, a US online pet supply retailer, has expanded into online pharmacies. Chewy also offers its own telehealth service and pet insurance. It appears that an increasing number of companies are leveraging data obtained from its telehealth platform to develop health-related products and services.
Currently, China appears to be the country expected to see rapid growth in the pet industry. The number of dogs and cats kept in China will reach 124.11 million by 2024. In Shanghai’s west bank, a redeveloped industrial area, people with dogs and cats have become increasingly common. This area is home to a collection of “pet-friendly stores.” These stores not only welcome pets, but also provide services such as providing pet dishes and water. They also provide pet chairs at the entrance for small dogs weighing less than 4 kg. In today’s China, young people face excessive pressure from competitive competition in various areas, including academics and employment. As this pressure increases in various situations, more and more people are turning to pets for comfort.
The soothing effects of pets have been proven empirically. Numerous cases have been reported in which dementia patients improved through interaction with their pet dogs. In recent years, the reasons for this have become clearer. The main reason is believed to be increased oxytocin secretion through interaction with dogs. Interacting with dogs has been shown to be beneficial for dementia patients and some mental illness patients. Owning and interacting with dogs appears to be significant for improving social relationships. This hormone is also known as the happiness hormone, and the higher its secretion, the better social relationships can be maintained. Just as oxytocin is secreted when we interact with close people, oxytocin is also secreted when we spend time with pets. The secretion of oxytocin leads to a sense of happiness and a healing effect. It seems that the future of the pet business is promising in China.
