"No Walks Needed, Affordable"... Strange but Cute Pets Gain Popularity in China

Unusual Pets Draw Attention as Cost-Effective Options
"Less of a Financial Burden, and No Need for Walks"

Once shunned, toads are emerging as popular pets among young people in China.

On October 21, China's Sina Finance reported that "toads, once avoided by people, are being rediscovered as 'strange but cute exotic pets' and are attracting attention as pets among young people."

Toads are emerging as popular pets among young people in China. Xiaohongshu in China.

"They are not very aggressive, and just watching them is soothing"

Toads are emerging as popular pets among young people in China. China's Xiaohongshu.

The outlet reported that "animals from the toad family are selling well at a large pet market in Nanjing that sells birds, fish, insects and other animals," adding that "exotic pets such as horned frogs, geckos and skinny guinea pigs are especially popular."

The outlet said the number of people raising exotic pets across China, including those who enjoy them through short-form videos as "virtual pet owners," has now surpassed about 170 million. The market for exotic animals is also growing rapidly, at an annual rate of 35%. People who keep exotic pets say they are "not very aggressive, quiet, and stress-relieving just to watch."

Industry insiders warn that buying exotic pets online can result in receiving an animal entirely different from the breed ordered, and stress that "animals that are venomous must never be touched or kept as pets." They added that, unlike dogs and cats, specialized food and treats are not readily available, and there are too few veterinary hospitals that can provide specialized care, so owners may face unexpected difficulties when raising them.

Exotic pets draw attention for their lower cost

Toads are emerging as popular pets among young people in China. China's Xiaohongshu.

China's social and economic realities lie behind the growing appeal of exotic animals among young people. In recent years, as the economy has slowed and young people have faced difficulties finding jobs, marriage and birth rates in China have continued to decline.

At the same time, the overall pet market is growing rapidly as the number of young people who regard animals such as dogs and cats as family members surges. According to a recent report, China's pet industry, led by cats and dogs, reached 312.6 billion yuan (KRW 62.0167 trillion) last year and is projected to exceed 405 billion yuan (KRW 80.3479 trillion) by 2028. However, dogs and cats require substantial expenses for food, vaccinations and veterinary care, as well as ample space. For young people with little time to spare because of burnout from job hunting or work, this can become another source of pressure. Reptiles, by contrast, take up very little space, cost less to feed and care for, and do not require additional work such as taking them for walks. As a result, they are attracting attention as "cost-effective pets" that offer emotional comfort with relatively little money and time.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.