Research on urban pet-keeping conflicts and mitigation based on symbiosis theory:a case study of Chengdu

The rapid increase in urban pet ownership has led to growing conflicts over public safety, environmental hygiene, and community order, which have become critical issues affecting urban social governance. As a representative emerging first-tier city, Chengdu is characterized by high pet ownership density, intense competition for human-pet spatial resources, and a combination of high population density and rapid urbanization, providing a typical sample for studying pet-keeping conflicts. Based on symbiosis theory, this study explored the influencing factors and mitigation pathways of pet-keeping conflicts through methods such as online text mining and questionnaire surveys. Drawing on the analytical framework of symbiosis theory, this study proposed the establishment of a collaborative governance mechanism involving multiple stakeholders, including government, communities, enterprises, and individuals. Specifically, the government should improve regulations and facility construction; enterprises should develop smart pet products and provide training services; communities should establish mediation mechanisms and formulate conventions; and individuals should enhance their sense of responsibility and regulate their pet-keeping behaviors. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical pathways for the governance of urban pet-keeping conflicts, holding significant value for achieving harmonious human-pet coexistence.