The number of pet cats in Taiwan surpassed dogs in 2025, increasing by nearly 33% from 1,3 million in 2023 to 1,7 million last year. Mainland China shows a similar trend.

This trend first emerged in Japan one decade ago. Hello Kitty, the cartoon cat introduced in 1974, sparked an USD 80 billion empire and boosted cat ownership in Japan. The country also boasts several islands inhabited by wild cat populations, which have become popular tourist attractions.

The Grandeur World Pet Fair 2025 exhibition in Nanning, Guangxi province, China, in August 2025. Photo: VCG

Even in places where dogs were traditionally more popular, such as South Korea or Hong Kong, cats are gradually taking over.

These regions share common characteristics: residents live in small apartments within crowded cities, often experiencing loneliness, and demanding work schedules leave them with little time for a companion like a dog.

"It is more convenient to keep a cat in the city because dog owners have to walk them regularly, and many people either lack the time or are afraid of dogs", Ellen Chung, a Hong Kong resident, shared on an April afternoon at a bustling cat cafe.

"I also think cats look cuter", she added.

In South Korea, cats were historically associated with bad luck or evil spirits, making them less popular than dogs as pets. However, this trend is changing. The number of pet cats in South Korea significantly increased after Covid-19, likely because cats are easier to care for during periods of restricted outdoor activities due to lockdowns, according to a 2025 report by KB Financial Group.

Gong Su-hyun, a veterinarian at the Ballyeomaru cat adoption center in Hwaseong, a city in northwestern South Korea, observed "a growing interest in cats" as more people come to adopt and volunteer than before.

A calico cat named Yontama (wearing a hat) was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, Wakayama prefecture, Japan, on 7/1. Photo: Kyodo

Paul Wong, an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), noted that over the past one decade, public perception has shifted from viewing animals as tools to seeing them as companions. While dogs and cats were once used for guarding homes or catching mice, they are now sought for alleviating loneliness.

Meanwhile, many parts of East Asia are experiencing major demographic and social changes over the past several decades. Across China, Japan, and South Korea, young people are moving from rural areas to large cities for work, facing competitive job markets, stagnant incomes, high living costs, and grueling work hours.

The culture of overwork in China became such a severe issue that it was condemned by the supreme court in 2021. The Japanese government has also tightened overtime regulations to prevent deaths from overwork.

"These conditions make cats a more practical choice, especially for the younger generation", said Joe Ngai, an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychology at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. "Because cats adapt well to indoor environments and do not require daily walks, they offer a form of companionship more suited to the constraints of urban life in Hong Kong".

Increasing pressure leads more young Asians to choose not to marry or have children. Japan's population has declined for 16 consecutive years, and South Korea has the world's lowest birth rate.

As the number of single-person households increases, so does loneliness. People turn to animals for companionship, fueling a booming pet economy in Asia.

"Many people now choose not to have children. Therefore, owning a pet is almost like having a child", Wong commented. "The challenges of urban life will make people want to keep cats more than dogs".

Cats in a cafe in Seoul, South Korea in April 2020. Photo: AFP

A 2024 research report by investment bank Goldman Sachs indicates that pet food is one of the fastest-growing consumer sectors in China, with the industry's value projected to reach USD 12 billion by 2030. In South Korea, the number of pet strollers sold surpassed baby strollers for the first time in 2023, according to the country's largest e-commerce platform.

This may not be welcome news for governments hoping for more newborns. But as raising children becomes a burden, four-legged friends can offer much-needed comfort to struggling young people in Asia.

"If the welfare of the people is improved, perhaps it is still better than having a small but sad community", Wong said.

Hong Hanh (According to CNN)