Last week I was lucky to attend my first Global Pet Expo, an annual trade show presented by APPA and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. It is huge, over 16 football fields with more than 7,000 buyers from 80 countries. I got to meet some of the lovely talented bloggers from this Worldless Wednesday Hop and BlogPaws in person, as well as a few gorgeous dogs including LuLu from Life With Beagle and Pepper Pom.
I walked the extensive floor and attended many wonderful press events including Q & As, Baby Showers, Fashion Shows for Charity, Hugging Photo Booths and a lunch for K9s for Warriors hosted by Bayer K9 Advantix® II. Bayer will donate $1* to K9s For Warriors for every purchase of K9 Advantix® II.
K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of military service post 9/11. Their goal is to give a new leash on life to rescue dogs and military heroes, empowering warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.
We will be releasing our video interview tomorrow for Thankful Thursday.
The Pet Industry
Bob Vetere, President and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), announced at Global Pet Expo that overall spending in the pet industry for 2014 exceeded $58 billion. The spending figures are part of APPA’s annual comprehensive report that covers pet spending in the segments; food, supplies/over-the-counter (OTC) medications, veterinary care, live animal purchases and other services.
“The pet industry continues to outpace most other retail segments and for 2015 we are projecting to surpass the $60 billion mark which demonstrates the strength and vitality of this industry,” said Vetere.
Pet services, which includes grooming, boarding, walking, training, daycare and even spa services for our pampered pets, saw the largest growth again this year and exceeded expectations at close to 10 percent. It is expected to grow another eight percent this year. Second only to pet services growth, is veterinary care spending, at just under five percent growth from 2013. Even though visits to the vet have been flat to down recently, expenditures per visit continue to go up as more expensive procedures grow in popularity. As in years past, veterinary care spending is the second highest spending segment in the pet industry, and is expected to grow another 4.6 percent to over $15.7 billion in 2015.
The food category is by far the leading source of dollars spent within the industry. As the pet industry continues to mirror human food and diet trends, pet owners are becoming more aware of the quality and source of food given to their animal companions. Pet food manufacturers are offering new varieties of food for dietary preferences, medical issues, overall health, and other partialities, and pet owners are paying for these options.
New Products Showcase Winners
I had the chance to look at some of the greatest and most unique pet products that you might see on store shelves in 2015. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) have released the list of this year’s New Products Showcase Winners. Below are the official winners plus some of my own top choices.
“It’s the ingenuity, the inventiveness and the creativity of all of you that makes this such a great industry, such a progressive industry and an industry that just keeps flourishing,” said Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association as he handed out the awards.
Top New DOG Products (over 1,000 new products in the Showcase)
Best In Show
The Dexas Snack-DuO delivers both cool water and a yummy snack for your dog on the go. It’s the first reusable bottle with two side-by-side chambers. Flip open the lid to dispense treats or kibble, then pop open the cap top to pour a cool drink of water in the attached collapsible cup. It’s perfect for walks, runs or hikes with your dog. Keep one in the car for even more on the go use!
Second Place
Little dogs around the world have been joyfully exhausting themselves with the original award-winning ball launcher for fetch-loving dogs, the iFetch. To accomodate some of the world’s best-known fetching breeds, including Labradors, golden retrievers, and Australian shepherds the company has launched the iFetch Too. Available in early 2015, iFetch Too is designed for bigger dogs and will use regular-sized tennis balls.
Third Place
The team at Pet Matrix make advanced products for healthy, happy pets and have been revolutionizing the non-rawhide pet chew industry for years, Butcher’s Cut is their latest product is a cut above the rest!
CAT WINNERS
Best In Show
Innovation Pet, Inc.‘s Kitty Connection® Mouse Pounce ™ is a modular playground featuring the SmartLink® Toys system. tproduct line consists of various starter kits and add-on accessories that connect together, allowing for endless possibilites of a kitty playground.
Second Place
Vesper Cat Furniture by Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
The basic model of the vesper cat furniture will infuse colour and style into your life and the life of your cat! The combination of natural scratching surfaces and MDF makes the piece of furniture attractive and sturdy, plus the plush cushions are inviting and cuddly for your pet.
Third Place
Cats Of Thrones Toilet Seat for Cats
The award winning Cat Toilet Seat and Training device, with the only seat designed for a cat’s (or small dogs like Kilo The Rescue Pug) comfort. The drainage system makes clean up easy and the entire training progress run smoothly. They also have “dissolving cat litter!”.
I have been trying to teach Kilo to use the Seat-see the story here and video below:
NATURAL PET PRODUCT WINNERS
Best In Show
Ware Manufacturing has been providing award-winning products to the pet supplies industry since 1983. Their innovative team of professionals are among the most knowledgeable in the industry and they strive to continuously offer new and exciting products. Their latest is a line of safe, strong and tasty dog chew they are calling dogs GORILLA CHEWS.
Second Place
Puppy Cake launches Puppy Scoops Ice Cream Mix. It’s smooth and creamy, just like ice cream, but with a fraction of the fat and calories and formulated for your dog’s digestion.
Third Place
Himalayan Dog Chew works with farmers in the Himalayas to make their 100% natural chews. The chew is an authentic type of cheese eaten by the people of the Himalayas. When you give this chew to your dog, you’re giving them hours of high quality chewing enjoyment. Check out the complete Yaky line and try their winning Taky Tops.
A Few More Cool Products I Noticed
I was happy to have the chance to say hi to the lovely Krista from DogTread, FitPaws and CanineGym. The entire line of FitPaws Products are great for training and fitness. I saw them at Barkworld last year where our friend Rocco Havanese showed us how he uses his FitPaws Bone.
Paula and Dawn decided that their dogs should have a healthy, all natural, gluten free treat too! Knowing how much their “Dogs LOVE Kale”, and how good it is for them, they made kale the main ingredient in “Dogs LOVE Kale”, a new healthy, all natural, gluten/grain free treat. Kale is a super antioxidant that contains essential vitamins including: beta carotene, calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C, and lutein. Kale and Flax seed aids in making your dog’s coat softer and shinier, with healthier skin underneath. Flaxseed also provides fiber in your dog’s diet. Plus dogs love the taste!
Travel Gear including Prefer Pets
Prefer Pet carriers are perfect on Planes, trains, cars and buses. Very affordable and stylish and come in many styles that all ship from East Vancouver. I love the removable lining for washing, how they can collapsible for storage, and are lightweight and comfortable to carry.
The scientifically formulated complete line of supplements help you give your dog everything needed for a healthier, happier life. The breakthrough design and new delivery method make it easier, faster, more effective – and less stressful – for both you and your dog.
Eyenimal is a French brand that designs, manufactures and sells a large range of high-tech, daring and innovative accessories for cats and dogs. Their Petcam was the one of the first onboard camera in the world for cats and dogs, and has revolutionized the world of pet accessories. Aren’t you curious what your pet could film?
Read my previous review from the Global Pet Expo including the new Motorola Scout 5000 Smart Collar For Dogs line, and the My Dog Nose It sunscreen products plus my meet and greets with Brandon McMillan from the CBS Show Lucky Dog and Prince Lorenzo and his Royal Treatment Pet Care Products.
I have only scratched the surface so look forward to more products and news. I know I’m excited for 2015, what products are you most excited for?
Lots of interesting products and statistics. The toilet seat, hmmm…not sure about it. At our house it would be cats only, but Mom has had the old litter box for cats since she was little and is pretty used to dealing with it. What a great place to be able to go to and see!
Looks like lots of great products, love the snack duo! That would come in handy for so many things! The “toilet” for cats is hysterical! Thanks for sharing!
What fun! I think Rudy would love that Fetch gizmo 🙂
Great overview! Thanks for sharing. I couldn’t attend Global Pet Expo this year, so your post was the next best thing to being there!
–Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Wow, I am loving those toilet seats. Thanks for sharing!
The expo looks amazing. You were so lucky to be there.
That is a Hugh event! Thanks for sharing the cool new products with us, cute video of kilo, can’t wait to find out if he used it.
I wish I knew you were going I would have had you visit my friend Bobbi Panter Pet Products! The best natural grooming products ever. Thanks for sharing your visit, mom says she has to go next year. Love Dolly
Wow, so many great new products, thanks for sharing them with us, and I think you had an awesome time!!
Wow, that was a great post, Angela! I really enjoyed reading about all the new products. I was especially intrigued and amused by the iFetch Too toy and video. I want one for Savanna! Thanks for sharing all this great info.
Wow, so many awesome products! How did you keep from being overwhelmed when you were there? My dogs would go nuts for the iFetch Too, especially the beagle. I can see her getting totally obsessed with it. But it would be nice for my throwing arm to get a break every once in a while! 🙂
I loved this post, made me feel as if I was there. One day – I might get there. Thanks Talent Hounds.
Hey, is that a pyr I see?!
We were at Global too! Had been a few years ago and couldn’t believe the growth of the show. Missed a few of these that are on your list! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wow, looks like a great event. Those dog inventions sound very cool. How fun to get to see them all in action.
Pepper is my favorite Pomeranian ever! And Lulu! And Rocco! I love my pals. Thanks for the wrap-up of Global.
wow! Lucy would love the mouse pounce… and I think the kitty toilet is the cutest.
Thanks for sharing all of the new pet products from the expo. Lots of interesting stuff!
Wow!! SO much fun!!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Mr. N isn’t into balls, but I can think of some dogs that would love the ifetch!