Global Pet Expo, the pet products trade show in Orlando last week, is a great place to see the newest trends in products for pets.
Cool Trends
Technology for Pets
You probably don’t think of technology as being something for pets, but just like the hot item for humans last Christmas was wearable technology, it has arrived for your cats and dogs, too. Some of these wearables track your cat or dog’s activity level throughout the day while others use GPS to help you locate your pet. Some of the GPS units can alert you if your pet goes beyond a set area around your house so that you know if they get out. One system for dogs combined technologies, with the wearable device tracking activity levels throughout the day, allowing the system to make recommendations about the amount of food necessary based on the day’s activity level… That system could even measure and feed the adjusted amount when you approve it using your smartphone.
It was encouraging to see that a few of these products were actually cat-sized and one even started because the company owner lost a cat. Products like these are always going to end up a dog-first market overall, but it’s interesting to see cats included in a lot of the development and marketing for this technology.
Increased Food Sourcing from the USA
With the public becoming more aware of unsafe imported food in the market, a number of pet food companies are making a big effort to find sources in the US for their ingredients. Some who can’t are making a real effort at being transparent about sourcing for proteins like rabbit and lamb that can’t be found in quantity in the US so that you can read the label and see exactly where they come from. For all of us who read labels, this is good to see.
Environmental Consciousness
From cat beds made out of recycled industrial tubs to biodegradable dog poop collection gloves with webbed fingers, it’s clear that companies have heard the concerns of families with pets about being ecologically friendly and leaving a minimal environmental footprint.
Other Sights
There were pets around the expo hall, many of them adoptable cats and dogs provided to exhibitors by local rescue groups. A few of the vendors who sell homes and enclosures for chickens had chickens on hand, too.
One very special chicken traveled all the way from near Houston, Texas: Sweet Heart, the paralyzed chicken, who has her own wheelchair.
Several animal behaviorists made appearances over the course of the show, and one of them was the well-known cat behaviorist, Jackson Galaxy.
We had the opportunity to talk to Jackson during Global Pet Expo, and next Thursday, we’ll feature that interview. Be sure to stop by then to hear what he said about his line pet products, the Jackson Galaxy foundation, and about his music.
Wow, there was so much to see at the Global Pet Expo! My human has never gone because it’s so far from where we live and she has never been able to prioritize it. Maybe next year, if she can take a break between my cat shows!
What a cool event! And even cooler that you got to talk with JG! We can’t wait to read the interview.
wow! what an amazing event!
We love Jackson Galaxy!!!
Hugs madi your bfff
I am in love with Sweet Heart 🙂 How cool that you got to chat with Jackson Galaxy…can’t wait to read the interview!
pawtastic wrap-up!
What a pawsome event ! It’s so cool you could chat with Jackson : can’t wait to read your interview ! Purrs
so cool…..
Mom Paula wanted to attend, but she had just gotten back from Atlanta and couldn’t get away. Those look like some cool products, but we would have liked to have met Jackson.
It seems like the Expo was really awesome. I hope that I can go next year! It would be cool to see all of the products that are out there. I love that pet food companies are becoming more concerned about the health of the pets they feed.
oh!! i think we’re going to have to go to this event next year for sure! Especially if it’s near disney!! – Crepes.
It’s great to hear that pet companies are finding sources for ingredients for pet food in the US. And it looks like there are some really great pet products coming out.
Jackson Galaxy is very cool. We will definitely visit next week for the interview.
That is such a cool event and maybe one of these days Flat me will get to go.
Pawsum posty. And weez glad to see cats included in d tech depawtment too. Wiff so many of ow furiends bein’ allowed too go outside wiffout their hoomans, weez weally glad there be a way their peeps can locate them.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Sounds like such a pawsome event. Mom would love to have gone but it’s way too far for us.
pawsome event! very cool that you got to talk with Jackson Galaxy 🙂
PIP, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
What fun! Looking forward to the Jackson Galaxy interview!
Which GPS was the smallest? We have one but it’s too big.
Tractive has a new GPS that is the smallest I spotted at the show. Maybe 1.5″ x 2″ and 1/2″ thick. Still larger than a regular cat tag, but they’re getting smaller all the time across the board.
That sounds like it was one gigantic event! Oh, and GPSs for cats? We don’t need ’em–our mom says we’re *always* underfoot!
Those GPS collars sound like the answer for peeps who won’t keep their cats indoors. After he didn’t let me try his products, I’m more innerested in his music.
Mommy is so jealous that you got to meet Jackson Galaxy and is excited to read your interview with him. Bet the Expo was really cool. You are lucky to be in a state that attracts such events. Lisbeth says that she ONLY gets into clean laundry, preferably when it is warm from the dryer. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
We’d love to go to the Global Pet Expo – and look forward to reading your interview with Jackson Galaxy!
Ashton, I can totally relate. Waffles seems to think he possesses 9/10 of EVERYTHING.
Good luck with that.
; ) Katie
Ok… so how did I manage to write my comment on the wrong blog post?
Blame it on Waffles!
The expo looks like it must have been pretty cool!!! Lots of great new stuff to try out!
One of these years I’ll have to send Glogirly.
~Katie
Ok… seriously.
Waffles has gotten out of hand.
Since WHEN does our commenting profile have HIS name on it!
Pffft!
So sorry you didn’t get a chance to stop at the Savic booth. I would have gotten to meet you & show you the extra-large litter boxes that will be available soon. They come in awesome colors & have unique features. If you’re interested, I could send you a sample or further information. Please contact me!