Meanwhile, local governments and tourism operators are increasingly trying to capture a share of the growing market.

More than a dozen Chinese provinces and cities have introduced policies encouraging the development of pet-friendly tourism as part of the broader pet economy. Measures range from supporting pet-themed events to encouraging hotels, scenic areas and campsites to develop dedicated facilities.

For now, most pet travel in China remains short-distance and car-based. On highways and in suburban campsites during the May Day holiday, it was common to see pets accompanying their owners. Many travelers prefer driving to nearby destinations, which allows flexibility and avoids complicated transport restrictions.

Cross-province trips by air or train remain far less common.

Li Mengran, marketing manager at Beijing-based travel agency Utour, said the company's dedicated pet travel brand PetGo — launched in January — has seen steadily rising inquiries from travelers hoping to bring pets along.

However, actual bookings did not increase significantly during the recent May Day holiday because of soaring airfares.

"The main customer group for pet travel is young travelers, who tend to be price-sensitive," Li said. "During holidays, air ticket prices rise sharply. That filters out many potential customers even if interest is high."

Pet owners also tend to prioritize keeping their animals close throughout the journey. If airlines only allow pets to travel as checked cargo, many customers abandon the idea entirely.

"The possibility of pets staying in the cabin is often the first question travelers ask," Li said.

Transportation rules have long been one of the biggest bottlenecks for pet travel in China, though recent policy changes suggest gradual improvement.

In April, China expanded a pet transport service on its high-speed rail network, allowing pets that meet certain requirements to be checked as cargo on more than 200 train routes across more than 120 stations, according to China Railway Express.

Airlines are also experimenting with pet-friendly services. Carriers such as China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have launched limited trials allowing small pets in aircraft cabins on selected routes, while some airports in cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province have introduced pet lounges and specialized check-in counters.

These developments are gradually removing some of the logistical barriers for travelers hoping to bring pets along.

Industry experts say the impact of pet travel extends well beyond tourism itself.

Jiang of Roland Berger said the sector could stimulate a wider supply chain, from travel gear and in-car pet equipment to smart wearable devices and pet healthcare services.

At destinations, the trend may encourage scenic areas to develop pet-walking trails, campsites to offer dedicated facilities and local businesses to expand into services such as grooming, pet photography and post-trip health checks.

"In essence, travel spending shifts from 'one person' to 'one person plus one pet', which significantly raises the average spending per visitor," Jiang said. "It can also help destinations attract off-season traffic."

Despite the rapid growth, the industry still faces major challenges.

China lacks unified rules governing pet access to hotels, scenic areas and transportation, meaning travelers often have to confirm policies repeatedly before departure.

"In Europe and the United States, pet-friendly travel is already integrated systematically into transportation, accommodation and public spaces," Jiang said. "In China, the biggest problem is that policies remain inconsistent and sometimes change without clear notice."

Emergency services, transport connections and deeper experience offerings also remain underdeveloped, making it difficult for travelers to enjoy a seamless end-to-end journey with their pets.

For Zhang Yi, the Shiba Inu owner from Chongqing, the progress is nevertheless visible.

"China still has a long way to go in becoming fully pet-friendly," she said. "But compared with a few years ago, the environment for traveling with pets has clearly improved."

lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn