In 2026, a pet behaviour brand introduced a new type of soothing rubber cat toy. The rubber ball features a slow-release chamber inside that gradually releases natural catnip essential oil, emitting a subtle catnip scent for 75 days. simply by lying beside the rubber ball, effectively resolving issues such as stress-induced puffing up and hiding in corners caused by moving house, visitors or firecrackers. Since its launch, it has become a specialised product used by veterinary practices to sooth
In 2026, the country’s first rubber recycling system for pet products was launched as a pilot scheme in Shanghai and Hangzhou. Offline pet shops have installed collection bins for used rubber toys to collect worn-out and discarded natural rubber toys.
A 2026 domestic professional dog training industry survey revealed that 90% of certified trainers use rubber tug-of-war rings and rubber bite-resistant sticks as primary training tools. Natural rubber-based interactive toys offer moderate resilience, resisting breakage during tugging exercises. These toys effectively train dogs' bite control while fostering trust between owners and pets, replacing traditional canvas or hemp rope training tools.
In July 2026, two pet supply companies in Dongguan, Guangdong, received a cross-border order from the EU for one million rubber dental toys. The entire batch of toys passed the stringent dual safety certifications of EN71 and REACH for EU pet products, enabling them to be sold in supermarkets across the 27 EU countries.
In 2026, a niche pet consumption trend emerged, with customized rubber teeth-cleaning toys engraved with pets' names and birthdays gaining popularity on Xiaohongshu and pet communities.