China launches first undergraduate programme in companion animal science

China has officially launched the country’s first four-year undergraduate programme dedicated to companion animal science, in response to the growing professional demand within China’s rapidly expanding pet care sector. This is reported by China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

The new programme confers a bachelor's degree in agricultural science. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including companion animal breeding, nutrition and metabolism, feed processing, reproductive physiology, welfare, and behavioural studies. The inaugural cohort will include 50 undergraduate students.

Experts noted that companion animals (commonly known as pets) live closely with humans and contribute to emotional well-being, making this field an emerging area within animal science. He explained that the programme is informally referred to as the "pet major" due to its focus on animals such as dogs, cats, and horses.

According to recent research, China's urban pet market, focused on dogs and cats, surpassed approximately US$41.8 billion in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 11.9 per cent over the past decade. The sector now includes more than 500,000 pet-related enterprises across the country.

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