8 Fascinating Chinese New Year 2025 Pet Facts You Didn’t Know in Singapore

Chinese New Year 2025 welcomes the Year of the Snake, and while traditions focus on family gatherings, red packets, and festive feasts, our beloved pets also play a role in the celebrations. Many pet owners in Singapore include their furry friends in CNY customs, believing that pets bring luck, prosperity, and happiness into the home. But did you know there's much to know about pets' connection to Chinese New Year? Here are 8 surprising and meaningful ways pets are connected to Chinese New Year traditions!

NOTE: Read until the end for more details about our Pawsperity Deals!

In Chinese astrology, every zodiac year is believed to shape personality traits—not just for humans, but for animals as well! Pets born in the Year of the Snake (2025) are thought to inherit the Snake’s defining characteristics: intelligence, observance, and independence.

• They are often calm yet curious, preferring to observe their surroundings before engaging in play or interactions.
• They may form strong bonds with owners but also enjoy alone time which makes them affectionate yet self-sufficient.
• Simliar to snakes, with keen intuition, they are highly aware of their surroundings.
• Unlike more energetic zodiac animals, Snake-year pets may prefer mental stimulation (interactive toys like Cheerble Wicked Ball Air for dogs & Cheerble Wicked Ball M3 for cats) over high-energy play.
• Their mysterious and wise aura is thought to bring luck and fortune to households.

If you're welcoming a Snake-year pet into your home, nurture their intelligence with interactive toys, training exercises, and a stimulating environment to bring out the best in their unique personality!

In Feng Shui, dogs and cats symbolize protection, loyalty, and harmony, making them a cherished part of many households. A happy and well-cared-for pet is believed to enhance positive energy, creating a peaceful and prosperous environment while warding off bad luck. Some families even choose to adopt a pet before Chinese New Year, believing it invites good karma and fresh beginnings. However, bringing a pet into your home is a lifelong commitment, not just a festive tradition. Pets require love, care, and responsibility beyond the holiday season. If you’re considering adoption, ensure you’re ready to provide a happy, healthy, and loving home for years to come. Support Singapore's local shelters & check out Adopt Don’t Shop: The Importance of Supporting Adoption Centers & Rescues in Singapore (With List Included)

Just as people get a fresh haircut before Chinese New Year to wash away bad luck and start anew, many pet owners also groom their furry companions before the celebrations. A clean and well-groomed pet symbolizes a fresh start, ensuring they look their best while embracing positive energy for the year ahead. Regular grooming not only keeps pets looking neat but also promotes healthy skin and fur, reducing shedding and preventing matting.

If you're planning a lucky fur trim for your pet, make sure to use pet-safe grooming tools to keep the experience comfortable and stress-free. Some highly recommended grooming kits include Neakasa S1 Pro: 8-in-1 Pet Grooming Vacuum for Dogs & Cats and Neabot Neakasa P2 Pro Pet Grooming Vacuum Kit.

In Chinese culture, red is more than just a color—it symbolizes happiness, success, and prosperity. This association makes it a popular choice during celebratory occasions like Chinese New Year. Many pet owners incorporate this cultural belief by dressing their furry companions in red collars, bandanas, or outfits during the festivities.

There’s also a belief tied to red strings where tying a red string around a pet’s collar or even their paw is said to ward off evil spirits, misfortune, and bad energy. This practice aligns with the broader custom of wearing red strings as amulets for protection and blessings. Whether you view it as a meaningful ritual or simply an endearing tradition, the sight of pets donning bright red accessories never fails to add a festive and charming touch!

In older Chinese beliefs, black dogs and cats were sometimes linked to bad luck and misfortune, leading to a stigma against these animals. However, modern interpretations of Feng Shui have reshaped this perception. Black pets are now seen as protectors, believed to absorb negative energy and shield their owners from harmful forces, creating a sense of balance and safety within the home. This shift in attitude has gained traction, particularly during Chinese New Year, when some families adopt black pets to enhance their home’s spiritual protection. Beyond superstition, this change has helped spotlight the charm and elegance of black pets, encouraging more people to embrace them as loving companions.

During Chinese New Year, families traditionally enjoy “longevity noodles” at reunion dinners, symbolizing long life and good health. For many modern pet owners, this heartfelt tradition now extends to their furry companions, with specially prepared meals crafted to celebrate the holiday and share in its blessings. Common options include boiled chicken, pet-friendly dumplings, or prepare homemade “longevity noodles” using pet-safe ingredients. Check out 10 Chinese New Year Recipes/Foods For Dogs & Cats your pets will love and include them to the CNY feasts!

The third day of Chinese New Year is traditionally called Chìgǒurì (赤狗日), which translates to “Loyal Dog Day.” In Chinese mythology, this day is associated with the God of Blazing Wrath, and it’s considered inauspicious for visiting friends or relatives. Instead, many people see it as a perfect opportunity to stay home and focus on strengthening bonds with family—including their beloved pets. This day is also a reminder of the loyalty and unconditional love that dogs bring to their owners’ lives. By honoring their pets on Chìgǒurì, pet owners celebrate the spirit of companionship and show gratitude for their four-legged friends.

"Loyal Dog Day" is also often celebrated by dedicating extra time and attention to their furry companions. Many pet owners in Singapore and other parts of the world mark the occasion by taking their dogs on an extra-long walk, exploring new parks, or engaging in their favorite games. Others use the day to treat their pets to something special, like a trip to a pet café, or buy them a new toy!

In many Singaporean households, pets are cherished as part of the family, so it’s no surprise that some pet owners include their furry companions in the Chinese New Year tradition of giving red packets, or hong bao. While human recipients receive these packets filled with money as a symbol of blessings and prosperity, pets get their own version—often filled with treats, toys, or even vouchers for pet supplies. For many pet owners, the act of giving their pets a hong bao is not just about treats but a way to include them in the cultural celebrations. Whether it’s a bag of their favorite biscuits, a shiny new collar, or a toy tucked into the envelope, these thoughtful gestures reinforce the joy and companionship pets bring to their families during the New Year and beyond!

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Chinese New Year is a time of joy, prosperity, and togetherness, and our pets are an important part of that celebration. Embracing these pet traditions not only strengthens the bond with your furry friends but also brings joy and prosperity into your home. Whether it’s dressing them in lucky colors, preparing a festive meal, or giving them a red packet, there are so many fun ways to include your pets in Chinese New Year 2025!

Check out these 7 Fun & Festive Ways to Include Your Pets This Chinese New Year in Singapore!

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