A pet dog receives acupuncture treatment at an animal hospital in Beijing, May 6, 2017. The veterinarian said the traditional medical practice for human works also well on pets that suffer from chronic or neurological diseases. He said he treats more than 10 pets with acupuncture on weekends. (Photo: China News Service)
According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, about seven percent of Chinese urban households now have a dog, and two percent have a cat - prompting strong growth in the local pet industry in recent years.
Reports also suggest that Chinese now spend a total of 1.5 billion US dollars annually to pamper their pets. This includes services such as manicures, fur dye, massages and even yoga. Market research firm Euromonitor estimates that the market is expected to grow by more than half by 2019.
