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Pets

Pets
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pets. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The egg-shaped plastic toys that were a playground craze in the 1990s feature digital pets needing to be cared for like live household animals.
Pop culture in Asia

Video | Digital ‘Tamagotchi’ pets mark 30 years

The egg-shaped plastic toys that were a playground craze in the 1990s feature digital pets needing to be cared for like live household animals.

Animals

Rare genius dogs learn vocabulary by eavesdropping, study shows

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Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong group saves 351 animals in 6 months as trapping, smuggling cases surge

Made in China 2025

Meow or never: China’s pudgy pets spark race for weight-loss drugs

Fosun and Huadong biotech labs eye feline obesity drugs as owners weigh cuteness against health risks.

The total pet population in China reached 430 million in 2024, with nearly one-third of urban cats classified as obese, according to the China Pet Industry Association. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

China woman films dog eating from plate at eatery; shop vows to sue after closure

Owner of ‘awesome’ canine praises animal for emptying dish of mutton rolls; online observers accuse pet-loving diners of a lack of ‘discipline’.

Singapore

‘Deeply distressing’: Singapore’s animal shelters struggle with costs

Cases of animal cruelty and poor welfare have also surged, with the SPCA reporting 961 confirmed cases last year.

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Trending in China

‘Best travel buddy’: China kitten famous for riding with truck driver owner, holding handrail

Easy-riding feline travel companion called ‘Dumpling’ has catnip for journey; owner even places litter tray near spot where he sits.

An eight-month-old cat who rides with his truck driver owner has gone viral, delighting online viewers with his habit of holding the handrail at the front window. Photo: Douyin
China travel

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

While broader consumption remains soft, demand for personalised itineraries and snow sports is growing, offering a boost to the holiday economy.

Trending in China

Chinese man hand-feeds pet snake, suffers serious bite, leads to thumb amputation

Poison from viper infects reptile-loving man severely limiting his blood clotting ability; experts warn that keeping exotic pets can kill.

Trending in China

China owner of poisoned ‘smiling Shiba Inu’ berated for exploiting canine’s death

Tearful custodian of ‘cute and obedient’ animal with 500,000 online followers posts video of dead pet; is slammed and praised.

The owner of China’s popular “smiling Shiba Inu,” Peppa, who claimed the dog died from poisoning in a village has faced a backlash for exploiting the canine’s death for views. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Hong Kong society

Shorter Hong Kong quarantine time drives rise in pet imports from mainland China

City recorded 291 import applications in first 10 months of the year, up from 283 in 2024 as quarantine time reduced from 120 to 30 days.

There has been an increase in applications to import pets after the city cut the quarantine period from the mainland. Photo: Karma Lo
Viral stories

Bangkok puppy yoga studio offers comfort and stress relief for US$60 per session

Studio collaborates with local dog shelters and breeders, showcasing breeds such as Samoyeds, golden retrievers, and huskies.

Malaysia

Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.

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Trending in China

China cat survives after trapped in running washing machine, suffers just red nose

Curious feline spends several minutes inside spinning machine before owner notices; online critics accuse her of ‘negligence’.

A pet cat in China has survived being trapped in a running washing machine after its owner started the cycle not knowing it was inside. Photo: Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Chinese woman with social anxiety feeds 120 stray cats with banquet leftovers

Woman has participated in wedding banquets about every 10 days in past 3 years, sometimes bringing home 30kg of untouched leftover food.

A young woman with social anxiety moved many by “crashing” 100 weddings to collect leftovers for 120 stray cats, inspiring a following of 1.5 million as she shared her journey. Photo: Douyin
The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

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Viral stories

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Friendly feline made regular visits to play with venue guard; staff create calendar bearing photos of their interactions for posterity.

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Animals

When did domestic cats arrive in Europe? Much later than previously thought

Domestic cats may have arrived in Europe 2,000 years ago via Roman trade routes, not with farmers in prehistoric times, a new study says.

Despite cats’ popularity as pets, the history of their domestication has remained difficult for scientists to decipher. Photo: Reuters
Trending in China

Labrador lost on China beach found 1,500km away 3 months later, reunited with owner

‘Lazy’ canine called September wanders off with another dog, is found after exhaustive search; develops more ‘willing’ temperament as result.

Trending in China

China 3-legged puppy, destined to be put down, becomes effective SWAT police dog

Crime-fighting canine forms special emotional bond with his ‘comrade’ handler who also has leg problems; pair share sense of ‘hardship’.

Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

Dog trainer Barbara Gerlinger (centre) holds an empty dog leash while teaching “hobby dogging”, a viral trend of training imaginary dogs, to participants in one of her courses. Photo: dpa
Trending in China

Chinese woman’s pet alpaca dies from cold after groomers fail to dry it properly

Animal from species regarded as ‘pet celebrities’ online is considered adorable and intelligent, was left overnight with damp fur.

A Chinese woman took her pet alpaca to a pet shop for grooming, but due to the negligence of an employee the animal’s fur was not properly dried, leading to its death from hypothermia. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Elderly China woman tearfully hugs pet duck killed by car, mourns loss of companion

Many recognise that the duck had become the woman’s emotional anchor and spiritual support.

New Openings

Hong Kong new openings, from new music venue Tides to a pet club in West Kowloon

Italian pasticceria Cova reopens in Pacific Place, a new pickleball venue offers four indoor courts, and pets come first at WestK Pet Club.

South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

Livestreams of pet sales on YouTube. Photo: Youtube
Sustainability

Is your pet’s dinner harming the environment as much as driving a car?

Your pet’s diet harms the planet more than you think – but there are ways to minimise carbon footprint while keeping your cat or dog full.

A dog looks out of a car window. The pollution created from the meat that dogs and cats consume in the US is equivalent to the pollution created from driving 13.6 million cars for a year, according to one study. Photo: AP
Crime

Letters | Donkeys slaughtered for their skin is a tragedy on multiple levels

Readers discuss the illicit trade’s damage to animal, human and environmental well-being, and how the city can have both halal and pet-friendly restaurants.

Trending in China

Outrage in China over release of 1,100 cats into reservoir in ‘life release’ ritual

Paddleboarders battle to save terrified felines as they struggle to swim during ‘Buddhist’ ritual; animal protection staff say many perished.

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