SHANGHAI — As temperatures in China soar, pet owners are looking for novel ways to protect their four-legged friends from the heat, buying up cooling mats, clothes and miniature sun hats for dogs and cats. Mi Jiayi, a public relations professional in Shanghai, spent more than 500 yuan ($70.04) on a cooling vest for Mary, a small mixed-breed dog that she adopted. Record-breakingJacqueline Cha, another Shanghai resident who has three small dogs and owns a pet care business, said this was the first summer she felt the need to use sun protection shirts on her pooches. ADVERTISEMENTHowever, she added the best treatment was not any product but simple prevention: keeping pets indoors on superhot days. Last year, a report by Euromonitor and Asia Pet Alliance Institute forecast China’s population of dogs and cats would reach 190 million in 2023, up from about 170 million in 2018.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 05, 2023 09:44 UTC