Generation Z in China turns to stones as trendy new pets

The latest pet craze sweeping the younger generation in China is different from what people expected, as stones become the beloved companions of the Generation Z. The topic of “pet stones” has amassed up to 2.4 million online views across Chinese social media platforms.

Youngsters are not just adopting stones as pets, but are also dressing them up and applying cream to them, which also become a popular topic on China’s X-like platform Sina Weibo. Many netizens are showcasing their creativity by naming their pet stones, some even adorning them with eye stickers, outfits, and even glasses.

Some netizens commented that stones are low-maintenance companions that never cause trouble, require no care or feeding, and silently “listen” to all your secrets, making them a good choice for pets, though some of the young claim stones cannot provide emotional comfort. 

In August, the sales of pet stones in China’s e-commerce platform Taobao.com increased by 246 percent compared with a month ago, according to media reports, with the target group mainly younger people. In addition to the pet stones, related clothing, containers and other peripheral commodities are also selling well on the market.