China Agricultural University (CAU) is starting a new degree program focused on companion animals in 2025. This program is a specialization within the animal science degree.
The program will cover topics like dog and cat behavior, horse culture, specific nutrition, selective breeding, and grooming. Students will also gain practical experience in the industry.
This program is a response to the growing pet market in China. The market was worth over 300 billion yuan (about 41 billion dollars) in 2023. The goal is to train specialists to care for pets in various ways, including emotional management and technological innovation.
Graduates can work in different areas, such as pet companies, research labs, and veterinary clinics. The program also includes horses, recognizing their role in therapy and recreation.
This initiative shows how China's education system is adapting to the increasing number of pets. The CAU aims to train professionals to meet the needs of the human-animal bond in today's world.