ShanghaiMay 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From May 7 to 10, the 6th TOPS Pet Expo (hereinafter referred to as “Pet Expo”) was grandly held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, made a shining appearance, showcasing its innovative deworming products NexGard Spectra and Profender®, therapeutic products Vetmedin® and Semintra®, along with a diversified product portfolio and digital tools. This demonstrated the company’s vision of focusing on pet full-lifecycle health management and addressing core health needs at different stages through continuous innovation.
Upgraded Human-Pet Relationship: Boehringer Enhances Pet Owner Deworming Experience
Currently, China’s pet economy is transitioning from rapid growth to high-quality development. According to the “2026 China Pet Industry White Paper,” the number of urban dogs and cats in China exceeded 126 million in 2025, with the pet consumption market reaching 312.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%. Behind the continuous growth in pet numbers, pet ownership concepts are undergoing profound changes, leading to upgraded core demands: pet owners seek a relaxed and enjoyable pet-keeping experience.
In the field of canine deworming, oral formulations have become one of the main future growth points in the domestic deworming market due to their convenience and efficiency, with growth rates currently exceeding five times that of other administration methods[1]. Boehringer Ingelheim is actively promoting the upgrade of deworming methods to oral modes and has established a comprehensive oral deworming product matrix for dogs. NexGard Spectra, as a high-end oral dewormer for both internal and external parasites in dogs, features a new generation of patented ingredients. One chewable tablet addresses 15 key parasite issues internally and externally, allowing dogs to engage in complex outdoor activities. Frontline®, as an oral upgrade of the classic canine deworming spot-on, makes medication administration more convenient and suits daily deworming needs. Heartgard®, as an oral internal dewormer for dogs, uses a beef-flavored formula with good palatability, and when combined with external deworming products, provides comprehensive protection.
This matrix covers all scenarios from daily internal and external deworming to targeted internal protection, truly achieving a minimalist pet-keeping experience of “medication equals deworming.” During the expo, Boehringer Ingelheim specially invited the Chinese search and rescue dog “Zixie” to appear at the booth, interacting closely with pet owners on site to promote scientific deworming concepts. Last year, NexGard Spectra was officially designated as the designated deworming product for Chinese search and rescue dogs*, helping them maintain health and outstanding performance in high-intensity tasks such as natural disaster rescue and personnel search.
In the field of feline deworming products, Boehringer Ingelheim has launched a “deworming essence” to further enhance the pet owner experience. This Profender® internal and external deworming essence, specially developed for cats, uses a four-dimensional component golden combination, with one tube addressing 20 internal and external parasite issues. The product features a unique glycerol base, a 0% alcohol formula, and a specially designed plunger design, making it not only easy to operate but also allowing naturally sensitive cats to comfortably accept the health protection of internal and external deworming, meeting the refined pet-keeping needs of cat-owning families.
Innovative Products and Digital Tools for Senior Pet Health Management
As the trend of pet aging becomes increasingly prominent, the health management of senior pets is becoming a key focus for pet owners. Targeting core health issues prevalent in senior dogs and cats, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and chronic pain, Boehringer Ingelheim has launched several corresponding therapeutic drugs in China, including Semintra® for chronic kidney disease in cats, Vetmedin® for heart disease in dogs, and Metacam® and Previcox® for pain management, extending life and improving quality of life.
Boehringer Ingelheim continues to increase innovation, investing over 500 million euros in global animal health R&D in 2025, accounting for more than 10% of the business segment’s total revenue. Innovative products, including Senvelgo®, the world’s first oral liquid drug for treating diabetes in cats, are being accelerated for introduction into China, aiming to meet unmet medical needs in the domestic animal health field.
In addition to products, Boehringer Ingelheim also provides digital tools for pet owners and veterinarians, aiming to offer extended disease management solutions. For example, in the field of canine heart disease, besides the drug Vetmedin®, the company has launched a resting respiration mini-program for pet owners, providing functions such as recording, statistics, and alerts to help detect disease progression in furry friends early and intervene promptly. For veterinarians, it has introduced the Heart X systematic training tool to specifically enhance heart disease diagnosis and treatment capabilities. Through an integrated layout of “innovative drugs + digital tools,” Boehringer Ingelheim connects treatment plans with daily monitoring and follow-up management, forming a closed-loop support system from diagnosis and treatment to long-term management.
At the booth, Boehringer Ingelheim also set up a dog and cat free clinic activity, where professional veterinarians provided free check-ups and health consultations for the furry friends present, putting scientific concepts into practice.
Ms. Niu Zilun, Head of Boehringer Ingelheim China Companion Animal Business, stated: “As a leader in the global animal health field, Boehringer has always demonstrated value through innovation. Leveraging our global R&D capabilities, we continuously provide pet owners with more efficient, professional, and reassuring health management solutions. In the future, we will continue to promote the implementation of scientific pet-keeping concepts through ongoing innovation, education, and services, working with industry partners to continuously care for the full-lifecycle health of pets.”
Niu Zilun, Head of Boehringer Ingelheim China Companion Animal Business, interacts closely with Chinese search and rescue dog Zixie
*Chinese search and rescue dogs refer to Zixie, Doubao, and Zhurong
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[1] Venn report China para market 202412 |