Pet mooncakes become new festival favorite

Pet mooncakes hit Shenzhen market for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival. These delicacies designed specifically for cats and dogs have quietly become a new favorite.

At Sam’s Club in Longhua District, a striking pet freeze-dried stuffed mooncake gift box is displayed alongside traditional mooncake gift boxes. This product features chicken as the main ingredient and offers six flavor options, including purple sweet potato, goat milk, and dragon fruit. 

The packaging clearly states that it is suitable for cats and dogs over 3 months of age. Meanwhile, Freshippo supermarkets have also launched pet mooncakes with two flavor combinations: honey-glazed taro duck and premium matsutake fish. They are printed with cute rabbit patterns and the words “Mid-Autumn Festival,” making them both eye-catching and full of festive fun.

In addition to large supermarket chains, some small pet shops and private bakeries have also jumped on the trend, offering a wide variety of pet mooncakes, including Chinese-style, snow-skin, and even wellness versions. According to Ms. Xu, the owner of Damei Pet Shop in Longhua District, the store offers both freshly made-to-order options and exquisitely packaged finished gift boxes for customers to choose from. 

The advantage of the freshly made versions is that the ingredients are fresher and the recipe can be adjusted according to the pet’s specific needs, while the finished gift boxes attract more consumers with their rich variety of flavors.

On online shopping platforms such as Taobao and JD.com, pet mooncakes in various flavors are also selling well, with prices ranging from a few yuan to over ten yuan. Some even claim to be suitable for rabbits or hamsters. Social media platforms are flooded with tutorial videos on how to make pet mooncakes at home. Many pet owners cook personally, using healthy ingredients such as chicken breast, Chinese yam, and sweet potato, carefully prepared in specific proportions. This not only ensures food safety but also allows them to enjoy the fun of DIY.

Behind this phenomenon is the growing trend of the “it economy” — that is, more and more people regard pets as family members and are willing to invest more time and money in them. By purchasing or making pet mooncakes by hand to celebrate the traditional festival, owners can let their pets feel their love, while also adding a uniquely warm atmosphere to this special holiday.