What Is “Earn Snack Money”, A Growing Trend Among Pet Owners In China? 

It’s absolutely delightful to be pet parents. We come back home to our pets greeting us at the door with a wag, a purr and plopping on our legs for cuddles if we’ve had a long day. While they take away our stress and shower us with love; let’s admit it, like babies, being pet parents can strain our pockets. That’s why pet owners in China are leaning toward the trend “Zhengmaotiaoqian” or “earn snack money”.

Pet Parents In China Send Their Furry Babies To Work

A report by Hindustan Times, introduces the world to a growing trend among pet owners in China — “Zhengmaotiaoqian” or “earn snack money”. As part of this trend, pet owners are actually sending their cats and dogs to “work” at pet cafes, allowing them to earn treats, socialise and spend time in an air-conditioned environment. Capitalising on this growing trend, pet cafe owners are charging entrance fees for customers and offering them snacks and drinks.

Animal lovers pay between 30 to 60 yuan (₹:540 to ₹1,080) per person for entry or they can just order a drink. To recruit pet employees, recruitment ads and CVs of pets are taking over Xiaohongshu, China’s microblogging platform, like Instagram. A cafe owner in their recruitment advertisement has specifically mentioned wanting “healthy, good-tempered cats” in exchange for daily snacks and a 30 per cent discount for friends of pet owners.

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“Earn Snack Trend” A Win-Win Situation

So, why are pet owners sending their furry babies to work? Well, amid scorching heat in China, pet owners want to save up on electricity and air-conditioning by sending their pets to cafes with good AC. More importantly, it’s a chance for their pets to interact with other animals and freely roam within the establishment. With daily snacks being taken care of, it puts less strain on their pockets and makes taking care of pets financially easier.

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Also, for pet owners who need to leave their pets alone at home when they head to work, dropping them off at pet cafes, is a safer option. Instead of pets combating loneliness when their owners head to work, they can socialise with other animals in the cafe and gorge on treats.

Well, pet parents, do you wish India also follows China’s “earn snack money” trend?

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