PETVIVO closes US$5M financing, China launches first pet degree, Virgin to allow dogs in the cabin by year-end

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Happy Friday!

Tons to catch up on this week. PetVivo has closed a US$5 million financing round. Virgin Australia will reportedly allow dogs in the cabin by the end of the year. And China Agricultural University has launched the country’s first degree in pet care.

Meanwhile, cats are having a moment. Our Spotlight takes a look at the American Pet Product Association’s 2025 Dog & Cat Report, which highlights a 23% rise in cat ownership in the U.S.

Don’t miss this week’s feature on how Gen Z and millennial pet owners are reshaping the vet space, from demand for pet-first tech to higher expectations around communication and care.

And lastly, we’ve launched a new jobs board to help you connect with opportunities (and talent) in the pet industry. If you’re hiring (or looking), be sure to check it out!

IN TODAY’S EDITION

FROM OUR SPONSOR

🇺🇸 PETVIVO completes US$5M equity financing ● Petvivo has completed a US$5 million equity financing through the sale of Series B convertible preferred stock. Petvivo is a biomedical device company that focuses on the manufacturing, commercialisation and licensing of medical devices and therapeutics for companion animals.

🇺🇸 Synchrony Partners with Sploot Veterinary Care to finance comprehensive veterinary services with CareCredit ● Consumer financial services company Synchrony has formed a partnership with Sploot Veterinary Care. Under the partnership, Sploot will offer Synchrony's CareCredit credit card as its first financing solution for veterinary care. 

🇬🇧 Virgin to allow dogs in the cabin on pet-friendly flights by end-2025 ● First announced in March 2024, the launch of the pet-friendly flights is expected by the end of this year. The launch was due to delays in obtaining the necessary approvals.  

🇸🇪 The Nutriment Company completes acquisition of Graf Bark, sixth acquisition this year ● The Nutriment Company has completed its acquisition of Germany-based Graf Bark, marking the Swedish company’s sixth this year. Graf Barf sells raw meat cubes with whole pieces of beef, lamb and chicken to bring convenience to raw feeding. 

🇨🇳 China launches first pet degree as booming industry faces talent crunch ● Beijing-based China Agricultural University will offer a four-year undergraduate degree programme as China’s booming pet industry faces a talent crunch.

PRODUCT NEWS

🇬🇧 F. Duerr & Sons launches ‘Peamutt Squeezy’ in Pets at Home ● F. Duerr & Sons has launched Peamutt Butter at Pets at Home in the UK. The move comes as the company looks to expand its Peamutt dog treat portfolio.

🇺🇸 BioAdaptives to launch canine supplement PawPa Regen ● Nutraceutical and wellness brand BioAdaptives plans to launch canine supplement PawPa Regen, which is designed to support natural stem cell activation and regenerative healing in aging dogs. 

🇺🇸 WySE Products launches Total Pet Kitchen Multicooker for making human-grade pet food ● WySE Products has launched countertop appliance Total Pet Kitchen Multicooker, which is designed for cooking and dispensing pet food using human-grade ingredients.  

SPOTLIGHT: APPA REPORT SAYS U.S. CAT OWNERSHIP IS SOARING

Cats are rising, dogs are jet-setting. Here’s what the American Pet Products Association’s 2025 Dog & Cat Report has to say:

Cat culture is exploding:

• In the U.S., 49 million households now own cats, up 23% in one year;

• • Multi-cat living is the new normal: homes with 3+ cats have soared 36% since 2018;

• Cats nowadays get trained, walked, and celebrated: nearly half (48%) of cat parents train their pets, and 1 in 5 throws their cat a birthday party.

Dogs go everywhere: 

• More than half (53%) of dog parents take their dog on errands once a week;

• Nearly three quarters (74%) flew with their dog last year, and 87% road-tripped together;

• Nearly half of dog parents want dog-friendly offices.

Pet food becomes posh: 

• Premium pet food is bouncing back: 41% of dog owners, 38% of cat owners are upgrading diets;

• Meal toppers are booming, especially for cats (up 138%!);

• Functional foods with pre- and probiotics are becoming daily staples.

Supplements go mainstream: 

• Skin, coat, joint, and vitamin support are now part of everyday pet care;

• Proactive wellness is the new luxury.

What does this mean for pet brands? Being a pet parents is now about so much more than simply getting the products. It’s about giving your pet a good (can we say “elevated”?) lifestyle, and the infrastructure to support that.

The equation is no longer just: food / toys / beds. It’s wellness / experiences / design.

Luxury Pet Care News is a newsletter covering the latest trends trends, growth insights and success stories in the global pet industry.

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