In This Issue
The Nutriment Company acquires UK cat food brand
Investment firm buys Notts-based pet food business
There’s so much to see, do and win at PATS 2025
Mountain Paws to showcase extended range at PATS
Pet brand scores with Premier League football club
Oscar & Hooch launches eco-friendly tote and mat combo
First-of-its-kind event to support pet sector growth
East meets West as LitPet gets set to launch supplements 
Jollyes opens latest new superstore in Perth
Meow-Bix treats launched on International Cat Day
New fast-acting flea tablets for cats and dogs from Beaphar
Get your own copy of Pet Trade Xtra
WHM Pet Group appoints new National Account Manager
Revealed: The UK’s top pet supplies brand, according to new industry report
Agria Pet Insurance awarded Ethical Innovator accreditation
New RVC study sheds light on the prognosis of aggressive canine cancer
Retailer association calls for stronger action as shop theft reaches record high
Lack of public awareness surrounding puppy importation
The best of last edition of Pet Trade Xtra
Pet tech firm wins six-figure investment to drive growth
Campaigner speaks out against Kennel Club guidance
Cloverleaf celebrates 40 years of excellence in aquatics
Calls for better regulation of pet rescues
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East meets West as LitPet gets set to launch supplements 

 

An exciting new development in pet supplements is set to take the market by storm this September at PATS as LitPet officially launches its range of products based on the ancient traditions of Chinese herbal medicine and modern science know-how.

 

Company founder, Stephen Hu was inspired to set up LitPet when he lost his British short-haired cat, Kung Hey to anuresis – a condition caused by prolonged stress that led to urinary retention. Not realising that animals could suffer from chronic stress like humans do, Stephen set about researching pet health and emotional well-being. He found that the pet care industry still focuses on surface-level symptoms rather than addressing the root causes. That is when he discovered the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

“Ingredients like Schisandra Chinensis, Reishi Mushroom, Ginseng, and Honeysuckle—used for centuries to calm, nourish, and support the body holistically—offered an entirely new way of caring for animals and I realised: this is exactly what modern pet care is missing,” says Stephen.

 

Taking a leap of faith, Stephen took the grief of losing his beloved pet and founded LitPet. “Our mission is to address the root causes of stress-related health issues by combining Eastern herbal wisdom with modern veterinary science. LitPet isn’t just about supplements. It’s about changing the way we think about pet wellness—focusing on prevention, emotional balance, and intentional care. It’s about making sure no pet parent ever feels as helpless as I did.”

 

With a career background in sociology, finance and marketing, Stephen then went on to focus on the pet health and supplement space. “I’ve applied my expertise to develop and launch functional, vet-formulated products that meet rising natural and preventative care demand. This includes working closely with veterinary consultants, regulatory teams, and manufacturers in GMP-certified environments across the UK and Asia,” he says.

 

Having worked alongside such prestigious  bodies as the Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) , the Pet Innovation Research Institute from Hong Kong Science Park, the Key Laboratory of Science and Technology working with a PhD student from the University of Oxford, vets Anita Young and Duncan Houston who graduated from the University of Cambridge and the University of Sydney respectively, and TCM herbalists from Hong Kong who helped develop and test products, LitPet started trading in 2023. Their primary journey began with the launch of their flagship product, Pawsitive Powder, a functional supplement for stress relief and digestive balance, first introduced in Shanghai in May 2023. From there, the brand quickly gained traction.

 

n January 2024, LitPet made their debut at the Global Pets Forum in Venice, engaging with international partners and expanding their presence in Europe. By August 2024, LitPet had its first major exhibition at Pet Fair Asia, where they presented their immersive brand theme, “Under the Skin”, a sensory installation that explored the deep emotional connections between pets and their humans. This exhibit went on to win the Innovation Award for 2024, underscoring LitPet’s creative and thoughtful approach to wellness.

 

This year, LitPet stepped onto the European stage again at Zoomark 2025, carrying forward their philosophy:  “A New Eastern Way, to Love and Heal Each Day.” Their products were selected for the Zoomark Pet Vision and gained much interest from distributors, retailers, and wholesalers. Pawsitive Powder was also a finalist for the UK PIF Innovation Award this year. 

 

The range is designed to meet real-world health needs—from stress and anxiety, to immune support, detoxification, and cardiovascular health. Each formula is carefully balanced using clinically active ingredients at therapeutic levels, ensuring both safety and efficacy. LitPet supplements are made with no fillers, artificial colours, or preservatives. All products are manufactured in GMP-certified UK facilities and undergo third-party testing for quality and safety giving pet parents full transparency and trust in what they give their animals. Their products are thoughtfully designed for daily use, ensuring high palatability and compliance, even for picky pets. LitPet’s packaging is also FSC-certified and 100% recyclable. 

 

“In short, LitPet is special because it sees pets not just as patients, but as family. Our products are the result of science, soul, and sustainability—designed to help dogs (and soon cats) live longer, healthier, and more balanced lives,” says Stephen.

 

According to Stephen, LitPet’s perfect trade partners understand the growing demand for natural, functional, and preventative pet wellness. “They’re looking for brands that stand out from commodity pet products and bring innovation to their shelves. We have received much feedback from the distributors saying that they are tired of seeing the “traditional European style” supplements and want to see something really different and new. LitPet’s yin-yang philosophy and TCM-inspired products interest them."

 

LitPet are also looking for Independent pet shops, boutique retailers, and premium pet stores that prioritise holistic care, natural products, and education-led selling. They also hope to work with veterinary clinics, integrative vets, or rehabilitation centres that offer complementary therapies and are looking for trusted, non-pharmaceutical solutions as well as online pet wellness platforms and subscription box services focused on functional health and clean nutrition and international distributors seeking premium Asian-inspired wellness brands with strong retail storytelling and proven demand.

 

“We also work well with stockists who value training, in-store education, and partnership marketing. We believe selling functional pet health products should be about more than just shelf space. It should be about empowering pet parents with the knowledge and tools to keep their animals thriving,” concludes Stephen.

 

LitPet will be PATS Stand A88 and will also be taking part in the New Product Showcase.

 

To find out more about LitPet visit: www.litpet.co

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