Chengdu expects rising demand for pet mooncakes
In Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, special mooncakes for cats and dogs are being sold ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Some sellers expect sales of these treats to be about 30% higher this year than last year, ECNS reports, citing the Chengdu Commercial Daily.
Pet stores began accepting pre-orders in mid-August, several weeks earlier than in previous years. Pet owners are buying treats shaped like paws, lions and rabbits to celebrate the holiday with their pets.
Pre-orders
Zhou Sitong, the owner of the Beian Sisters fresh pet food store, said she has already sold more than 300 gift boxes. She expects to sell more than 600 boxes — about 2,400 mooncakes — by the holiday. A box containing four items costs 68 yuan, or about $9.6.
Unlike traditional mooncakes with lotus seed paste or salted egg yolk, pet treats contain chicken, duck, beef liver, rabbit meat, chicken hearts, beef and salmon. They also include pumpkin, sweet potato, yam and goat milk powder.
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According to Zhou, accepting orders early gives staff more time to fulfill them. Previously, some customers placed orders shortly before the holiday, and producers did not always have time to make the required quantity of products.
Sellers' forecasts
GoFine, which also produces fresh pet food, opened pre-orders on September 1. Last year, it began accepting them only one week before the holiday. On the day it published the announcement, the company received more than ten orders, and this year it expects sales to rise by about 30% after receiving nearly 100 orders last year.
Places at pet boarding facilities are also being reserved ahead of the holiday. Xingyunshu Pet reported five or six bookings for the Mid-Autumn Festival period; about half of its animal accommodation spaces are occupied. According to an employee of the facility, all places are usually booked about ten days before the holiday.
Treats as gifts
Pet store representatives link the demand to changing attitudes among owners toward animals. Their customers include people in their 20s, families aged 30–40, and elderly people. Stores also sell fresh food and birthday cakes, including items featuring a pet's portrait based on a photograph. Mooncakes are increasingly bought as gifts for friends or relatives who have dogs.
