On the other hand, as pet owners expand their activities from home to camping and hiking, functional demands for pet apparel have evolved. Multiple brands at the fashion week showcased outdoor pet collections featuring technical fabrics and practical designs to meet this need.

"Pets are naturally inclined to run in nature. We strive to create professional outdoor gear that ensures their safety while enabling close interaction with their owners during outdoor activities," says Wu Haiqin, assistant general manager of Daqqab, an outdoor pet products brand.

According to Wu, their waterproof outdoor jackets use highly durable fabrics for harsh terrains, with nontoxic and hypoallergenic treatments suitable for pets' sensitive skin — meeting the same standards as human outdoor clothing. Self-developed magnetic buckles allow one-handed dressing, and detachable handles enhance practicality. Priced between 800 yuan ($112.4) and 1,400 yuan, these products have drawn numerous inquiries since their launch after the last Pet Fair Asia, Wu says.

This trend also aligns with Petstar's strategy. "When we launched Petstar in 2022, we targeted the booming outdoor lifestyle, even though e-commerce platforms lacked a dedicated category for outdoor pet products back then," recalls Yu, adding that outdoor pet clothing has seen rising sales online recently. "Many young people take their pets on outdoor trips, creating a clear demand for professional outdoor pet gear."

Another notable signal was the foray of premium international brands into China's pet market.