Growing popularity of TCM – noted for being milder and having fewer side effects – is largely driven by ageing pet population
3-MIN READ3-MINFran Luin BeijingPublished: 2:00pm, 7 Sep 2026An increasing number of Chinese pet owners are turning to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to address chronic diseases and provide hospice care for their senior pets.
On one social media platform, the hashtag #petTCM has amassed over five million views, reflecting a growing willingness among people to share their experiences with TCM treatments for their pets.
A pet owner from Beijing took his dog, Iron Man, a seven-year-old mix of a border collie and golden retriever suffering from severe gastrointestinal issues, first to a Western veterinary clinic.
The veterinarian there diagnosed Iron Man with inflammatory bowel disease and prescribed medication; however, his condition failed to improve.
Seeking alternatives, the owner decided to explore TCM to “give it one more try.”
The TCM practitioner assessed Iron Man by taking his leg pulse, examining his tongue, eyes, and mental state, and inquiring about his medical history, past treatments, daily diet, and activities. The doctor then prescribed Chinese patent medicine pills and dietary therapy.
