121. Pet Industry Growth, Global Trade Shows & Protecting Pet Choice
Episode Details
UU.S. pet industry spending reached $158 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to roughly $165 billion in 2026. New research from the University of Kent suggests that the well-being value of pets in our lives may be worth tens of thousands of dollars per person per year in life satisfaction. Together, those two findings frame a powerful idea: pets are an enormous economic engine and an even bigger emotional and psychological one. In this episode of the Pets Add Life Podcast, hosts Chris Bonifati and Kristen Levine unpack both stories and explore what they mean for pet owners, the industry, and the future of pet care.
The episode welcomes two guests who shape the global pet world from different angles. Sandy Moore, CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, talks about how the organization protects responsible pet ownership through policy advocacy, public education, and engagement with legislators in every state. Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions at Interzoo, walks through what the world's largest international pet trade show reveals about emerging trends in pet care, sustainable products, and the rapid globalization of the pet industry.
The through-line of the episode is value. The dollar value of the pet industry is impressive on its own, but it is downstream of the well-being value pets create in the lives of the roughly 187 million American adults who live in a pet-owning household. The owners, advocates, and trade-show organizers in this episode are all working on different parts of the same project: making sure that value keeps growing.
PETS ADD LIFE DISCUSSION TOPICS
How big is the U.S. pet industry now, and where is it headed?
The U.S. pet industry reached $158 billion in spending in 2025, up 3.7 percent from 2024, and is projected to grow to roughly $165 billion in 2026 (+4.4 percent) and to nearly $198 billion by 2030. The growth is driven by a combination of new pet ownership among younger generations, rising sophistication in veterinary care, and increased premiumization across food, products, and services.
APPA's 2026 State of the Industry Report breaks the 2025 spending down across four categories: food and treats at $68.3 billion, supplies, medications, and live animal sales at $34.4 billion, veterinary care at $41 billion, and other services at $14.3 billion. Veterinary care saw 3 percent growth, supplies grew 4.4 percent, and the other category (which includes services like grooming, boarding, training, and pet sitting) led growth at 8 percent. At the household level, nearly 119 million U.S. households purchased pet products in 2025, with an average spend per buyer of $773, a 2.9 percent increase over the prior year. The growth has a generational engine. APPA data shows Gen Z dog ownership grew from 55 to 59 percent year over year, Millennial dog ownership from 59 to 62 percent, and Gen X dog ownership from 53 to 56 percent, with cat ownership growth even stronger (Gen Z cat ownership up 15 percent year over year, Millennials up 10 percent). Cat food and treat sales reached $18.4 billion in 2025, up 11 percent from 2024, reflecting how rapidly the category is moving from a budget afterthought to a meaningful share of the wallet. Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) on the human-animal bond increasingly documents what owners already know intuitively: pets are family, and the spending reflects how seriously families now take their pets' health, nutrition, and quality of life.
Three forward-looking signals worth watching. First, services are the fastest-growing category, signaling continued normalization of dog daycare, premium grooming, and professional training. Second, value-oriented purchasing has tempered some food category growth even as ownership expands, suggesting pet parents are getting savvier about where to spend and where to economize. Third, online channels drove much of the 2025 acceleration, which means the brands and retailers building strong digital-first relationships with pet parents are positioned to capture the largest share of the next phase of growth.
How much is a pet actually worth to a person's happiness and well-being?
A recent University of Kent study suggests pets may add the well-being equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars per year to a person's life satisfaction, on the same order of magnitude as having close family or friends nearby. The number is striking, but the underlying finding is what matters: the emotional and psychological value of pet ownership is enormous, measurable, and consistent across cultures.
APPA's 2026 State of the Industry Report reinforces the point from the owner side: 97 percent of pet owners now report that their pet benefits their health, with happiness and emotional support, stress relief, and reduced anxiety and depression as the most commonly cited specific benefits. Year-over-year increases in those benefits are most pronounced among Gen Z, who reported a 21 percent increase in happiness and emotional support as a top benefit between 2024 and 2025. Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), which has spent more than a decade publishing peer-reviewed evidence on the health and well-being effects of pets, has documented reductions in loneliness, lower blood pressure during stressful tasks, improved cardiovascular outcomes, faster physical recovery after illness, and increased social connection among pet owners compared to non-owners. NAVC continuing education on the human-animal bond frames these benefits as a clinical signal as well: a strong bond between owner and pet is itself a predictor of more diligent preventive care, better adherence to veterinary recommendations, and longer pet lifespans, with downstream benefits to the family that extend well beyond the immediate emotional value.
If you needed a justification for the cost of pet ownership, the science increasingly says you do not need one. Pets pay back, in research-validated wellbeing terms, far more than they cost. The University of Kent finding is one of the more dramatic recent quantifications of that, but it sits alongside a substantial body of literature pointing in the same direction. The value is real.
What does the global pet industry look like, and why does Interzoo matter?
Interzoo, held biannually in Nuremberg, Germany, is the world's largest international pet trade show and the European counterpart to APPA's Global Pet Expo. Together, the two events shape what pet products, technologies, and care standards reach store shelves and pet parents on both sides of the Atlantic. For U.S. pet owners, paying attention to Interzoo trends is a window into what is coming next.
Interzoo's role is significant because the European pet market often signals trends that arrive in the U.S. within a year or two. Recent Interzoo editions have featured concentrated growth in sustainable packaging, plant-based and alternative-protein pet foods, smart pet technology, premium pet wellness products, and dental and gut health categories that emphasize science-backed claims over marketing language. The contrast with Global Pet Expo is structural rather than competitive. Global Pet Expo, held annually in Orlando, focuses on the U.S. market and the brands seeking U.S. retail placement. Interzoo serves a more global function, drawing exhibitors and buyers from more than 60 countries and helping shape product development decisions that ripple out to multiple regional markets. APPA's 2026 State of the Industry Report notes that influencer-led discovery is increasingly shaping U.S. purchasing decisions, and many of those influencers and trend-setters are watching what gets unveiled at international shows like Interzoo before recommending products to U.S. audiences. NAVC continuing education on veterinary innovation similarly looks across borders for emerging best practices, recognizing that veterinary medicine, like the pet industry it serves, is a global discipline.
For pet owners, the practical takeaway is that the pet products on your local shelf are increasingly shaped by global trends, and the brands that win tend to be the ones operating with international visibility into what is working in other markets. For brands, retailers, and industry professionals, attending or following coverage of both Global Pet Expo and Interzoo is one of the highest-leverage ways to stay ahead of where the category is going.
What does "protecting pet choice" actually mean, and why does it matter to pet owners?
D"Pet choice" refers to a pet owner's right to choose the type of pet, the source of the pet, and the care decisions that work for their family, free from overly restrictive legislation that often arises from well-meaning but poorly-targeted policy. The Pet Advocacy Network exists to defend that right by engaging in policy conversations at the local, state, and federal level on behalf of responsible pet ownership.
Sandy Moore, CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, frames the work as a balance: the organization supports thoughtful animal welfare regulation while opposing legislation that would limit responsible pet owners' choices without delivering meaningful welfare benefits. The categories of policy activity vary widely. Some proposed laws target breed-specific restrictions in housing or municipal ordinances. Some target the sale of specific species through retail channels. Others affect veterinary practice rules, insurance coverage, or the species lists that can legally be owned in a given jurisdiction. APPA's 2026 State of the Industry Report shows that pet-friendly housing remains a meaningful barrier to ownership for many Americans, with 21 percent of pet owners reporting they struggle to find pet-friendly housing and 20 percent struggling to afford it. Roughly 3 in 4 pet owners report at least one significant challenge in pet ownership, and the regulatory environment shapes many of those challenges directly. Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and adjacent policy work on the value of pets in housing, workplaces, and public spaces increasingly informs the legislative conversations the Pet Advocacy Network engages in, providing the evidence base for policies that support responsible ownership rather than restrict it.
Practical ways pet owners can engage. First, know your local rules. Breed restrictions in rental housing, leash laws, and exotic species ownership rules vary dramatically by city and state. Second, support reputable advocacy organizations like the Pet Advocacy Network, which monitors and engages on the policy issues that pet owners often only learn about after they have passed. Third, when your local representatives introduce pet-related legislation, take five minutes to read it before forming an opinion. Many proposed laws sound reasonable on the surface but have unintended consequences for responsible owners. The goal is good policy, not just well-intentioned policy, and pet owners with informed voices are the strongest defense against restrictive rules that do not deliver actual welfare improvements.
What are the biggest emerging trends in the global pet industry right now?
Five trends shape the global pet industry going into 2026: premium and science-backed nutrition, sustainability and alternative proteins, AI and smart pet technology, services growth (daycare, grooming, training), and the rapid normalization of cats and small mammals as central rather than secondary pets. Pet parents who understand these trends can make better long-term decisions about products, services, and care.
On nutrition, both Interzoo and Global Pet Expo continue to spotlight clinical and science-backed food, with credentialed veterinary nutritionists, transparent sourcing, and condition-specific formulas moving from prescription-only into mainstream retail. APPA segmentation research shows that ingredient transparency, eco-friendly sourcing, and the best nutritional value rank consistently high in food considerations across owner segments. On sustainability, alternative proteins (including insect-based ingredients), recyclable packaging, and regenerative sourcing have moved from niche claims to mainstream brand requirements. Wellbeing-focused segments index notably high on eco-friendly preferences. On technology, AI tools emerged for the first time in 2025 as a recognized source of pet healthcare information in APPA tracking, alongside continued growth in smart feeders, GPS collars, and telemedicine platforms. On services, the "other" category in APPA's industry breakdown grew 8 percent in 2025, the fastest of any category, reflecting how much pet parents are investing in daycare, grooming, training, and care services. And on species shifts, cat food and treat sales jumped 11 percent in 2025 to $18.4 billion, driven heavily by Gen Z and Millennial cat ownership growth, which suggests the cat category is finally getting the product investment and brand attention dogs have had for decades. Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and parallel work on multi-species ownership reinforces that the bond owners form with cats, small mammals, birds, and reptiles is genuine and meaningful, not a second-class version of the dog bond, and the product industry is increasingly aligned with that reality.
For pet owners, three habits help you stay ahead of these trends. First, follow APPA and NAVC for industry-grade analysis rather than relying solely on influencer-driven product recommendations. Second, take new product categories seriously when they appear: AI tools, alternative proteins, and emerging supplements often deliver on their early promise when the underlying science is sound. Third, give your pet's species the same care attention you would give a dog, especially if you have cats, small mammals, or reptiles whose nutritional and behavioral needs are now far better understood than they were even five years ago.
Topics Covered
- How the U.S. pet industry grew to $158 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $165 billion in 2026
- Why Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X are all driving pet ownership growth across multiple species
- How much wellbeing value pets actually add to pet owners' lives
- What Interzoo and Global Pet Expo signal about the global future of pet products
- How the Pet Advocacy Network protects pet owners' choices in legislation
- Why responsible advocacy matters in breed restrictions, housing rules, and species laws
- What the five biggest emerging trends are in the global pet industry going into 2026
- How to socialize an adult dog who is friendly with people but unsure around other dogs
- How to set up and maintain a healthy home aquarium as a first-time fish owner
Special Guests:
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- Sandy Moore, CEO, Pet Advocacy Network
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Leads the Pet Advocacy Network, the trade association representing responsible pet care companies and engaging with legislators at every level of government to protect responsible pet ownership and shape sound animal welfare policy. The organization's work covers breed-specific legislation, housing rules, retail policy, exotic species laws, and consumer protection, with the goal of ensuring that pet owners retain meaningful choice in how they care for their pets while supporting policies that genuinely improve animal welfare.
Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions, Interzoo -
Leads exhibitions at Interzoo, the world's largest international pet trade show, held biannually in Nuremberg, Germany. Interzoo brings together thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of trade visitors from more than 60 countries to showcase the latest in pet food, products, accessories, services, and care technology. The show plays a central role in shaping product trends and trade relationships across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond.
Pet Product Recommendations:
- Hartz Delectables Cat Treats & Toppers: a line of soft, lickable cat treats and meal toppers from Hartz, designed to add variety to a cat's daily routine and to deliver hydration through high-moisture formulations that many cats find more palatable than dry treats alone. Useful as a meal topper for picky eaters, a bonding moment between owner and cat, or a high-value reward for vet visits and grooming. A practical example of how the cat product category is finally getting the formulation attention dogs have had for years. Available at hartz.com/our-brands/delectables.
- Pet-Ag Dynovite Supplements: a line of nutritional supplements from Pet-Ag, designed to support skin and coat health, digestion, and overall vitality in dogs and cats. Pet-Ag has a multi-decade track record in companion animal nutrition, and the Dynovite line represents the broader trend of pet parents increasingly viewing supplements as part of a daily wellness routine rather than only as treatment for specific issues. Talk to your veterinarian about whether your pet's diet and health profile would benefit from a supplement, and choose products with transparent ingredient lists and credible manufacturer track records. Learn more at petag.com.
- Q&A:
My dog is friendly with people but not great with other dogs. Is it too late to socialize an adult dog? (Submitted by Amanda from Miami, FL)
It is not too late, but the approach matters more for adult dogs than for puppies. Socialization in adulthood is real work, requires patience, and almost always benefits from a credentialed positive-reinforcement trainer rather than a DIY plan. The goal for many adult dogs is neutrality around other dogs, not friendship, and neutrality is a meaningful and achievable outcome.
Adult dog socialization works differently from puppy socialization. Puppies have a developmental window (roughly three to fourteen weeks) when positive exposures wire in lifelong comfort with novel situations. Adults are past that window, which means new associations take longer to form and require careful stress management along the way. NAVC continuing education on canine behavior consistently recommends a structured approach: start with controlled distance exposures where your dog can see other dogs but is not asked to interact, reward calm behavior heavily, and gradually decrease distance over many sessions as your dog stays relaxed. Avoid the dog park as a starting point. Dog parks combine high arousal, off-leash interaction, and unpredictable other dogs, which is exactly the wrong environment for a dog learning to be comfortable around peers. Better starting points include parallel walks with a calm, well-socialized friend's dog at a safe distance, structured group classes with a positive-reinforcement trainer experienced in reactivity, and one-on-one introductions to specific calm dogs in neutral spaces. If your dog has shown aggression or significant fear toward other dogs in the past, work with a credentialed veterinary behaviorist or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) rather than attempting this on your own. APPA segmentation research shows that pet owners increasingly invest in training and behavioral support, with multiple segments naming professional training among their top service categories. The investment is worth it for the long-term outcome.
Three practical guardrails. First, never force a greeting. If your dog is uncomfortable, the answer is more distance, not more proximity. Second, watch for stress signals: lip licking, yawning, freezing, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), and a tense, closed mouth all signal your dog is over threshold. End the session before the threshold is crossed. Third, set realistic expectations. Many adult dogs become reliably neutral around other dogs but not eager to play with them, and that is a perfectly successful outcome. A dog who can pass another dog on a walk calmly is a dog who can live a full, happy life. The goal is not a social butterfly. It is a confident, regulated dog who can navigate the world without stress.
I'm new to owning fish. What are the most important things people often get wrong when setting up a home aquarium? (Submitted by Daniel from Tampa, FL)
The single biggest mistake new aquarium owners make is adding fish too soon. A new tank needs to cycle for several weeks before any fish should be added, because the beneficial bacteria that process fish waste have to build up in the filter and substrate first. Adding fish to an uncycled tank causes ammonia spikes that kill the fish you just bought, regardless of how clean the water looks.
The nitrogen cycle is the foundation of healthy aquariums. Fish waste produces ammonia, which is toxic. Beneficial bacteria in your filter convert ammonia to nitrite (also toxic), and a second set of bacteria converts nitrite to nitrate (relatively safe in small amounts, removed through partial water changes). New tanks have neither set of bacteria yet, which is why fishless cycling, using pure ammonia or fish food to feed the developing bacteria over four to six weeks, has become the standard recommended practice. NAVC-aligned guidance on aquatic species and credentialed aquarium care guidance also emphasize a handful of other common new-owner mistakes. Tank size matters more than most beginners realize: smaller tanks have less stable water chemistry and are harder to maintain, not easier. Most freshwater community fish do best in tanks of 20 gallons or larger. Overstocking is the next common error, because pet store recommendations often understate how much swimming space and bioload capacity fish actually need. Overfeeding is a constant temptation that causes water quality problems faster than almost anything else. Feed only what your fish finish within two minutes, once or twice a day. Skipping water changes is another frequent mistake. Weekly partial water changes of roughly 25 percent are non-negotiable for tank health. And finally, mixing incompatible species (community fish with aggressive cichlids, or tropical fish with cold-water goldfish) creates chronic stress that shortens fish lifespans. APPA's 2026 State of the Industry Report shows that 7 percent of U.S. households own freshwater fish, reflecting that aquariums remain a meaningful but specialized segment of the pet world where success depends heavily on doing the foundational work right.
Five practical steps for getting started well. First, buy a 20 to 29 gallon tank as your minimum starter. Larger is genuinely easier. Second, cycle the tank for four to six weeks before adding fish, using a fishless cycling method recommended by your local fish store or a reputable aquarium guide. Third, research the specific species you want before buying, including their temperature, pH, hardness, and tankmate requirements. Fourth, get a basic water test kit (testing for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH) and use it weekly. Fifth, partner with a knowledgeable local fish store that prioritizes animal welfare over fast sales. The right shop will encourage you to wait, ask questions, and start slowly, and that relationship is worth far more than a slightly cheaper fish elsewhere.
Related Links:
- Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
- North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)
- Pet Advocacy Network
- Interzoo
- Global Pet Expo
- University of Kent Research on Pet Wellbeing
- DOGTV Unleashed
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- Social Channels:
- New episodes every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & YouTube!
Submit a Question:
- Get your pet-related questions answered on the podcast! Submit your question here.
Disclaimer: Our podcast is produced as an audio resource. Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and human editing and may contain errors. Before republishing quotes, we ask that you reference the audio.
Speaker 1 (00:00):Pets A Life, your guide to the latest in Pet Trends products and the joy of the human Animal Bond with Kristen Levine and me. Chris Bonafide, powered by the American Pet Products Association and Dog tv. Hello and welcome to another episode of Side Life. I.
Disclaimer: Our podcast is produced as an audio resource. Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and human editing and may contain errors. Before republishing quotes, we ask that you reference the audio.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Pets A Life, your guide to the latest in Pet Trends products and the joy of the human Animal Bond with Kristen Levine and me. Chris Bonafide, powered by the American Pet Products Association and Dog tv. Hello and welcome to another episode of Side Life. I am one of your hosts, Chris Bonti, and joining me as always is a woman who just got her rigging license. Kristen Levine.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I had to cast that test, man. That was,
Speaker 1 (00:29):
It's tough. It's rough. Well, you did a great job with all these hanging signs here at the convention center. I'm going to stare past the camera. There's so many hanging signs, so many man hours that go into these things. Have you ever seen them on the ground? No. They're so much bigger when they're on the ground.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
I going to
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Imagine, because these things, we're looking past the camera, but they're about, I'd say 40 feet up in the air. It's
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Like a bli.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Yeah, and they look normal, but I've seen them on the ground as they're staging them and they're quite big. It's one of those cool little things that only trade show folks get to experience by being here way too early.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
I told you earlier, we need to have a trade show trivia thing. You were just dropping some nuggets, things that I didn't know.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
That's what I'm here for. I'm here to drop nuggets and I suppose Kristen's here to pick 'em up. That's disgusting. Okay,
Speaker 2 (01:13):
That's
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Gross.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
All right, so we have another great show for you today. Two story, two guests, two products of two questions. And we're here at Global Pet Expo again. So we've got some really cool stuff coming for you. Our first guest actually, we just, nevermind. Scratch that. Scratch
Speaker 1 (01:30):
That, scratch
Speaker 2 (01:31):
That. Scratch
Speaker 1 (01:32):
That. Hey, we never change anything. We're doing the show the same way as always. Every single Tuesday. Do
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It in order
Speaker 1 (01:38):
And we do it in order. Do it in order. We film it in order people. Okay. We never get confused as to what's happening. Alright, well you know what, I'm not confused about
Speaker 2 (01:47):
What
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Story time. Alright,
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Let's
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Go ahead and jump into story time.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Kristen and Chris, present story time.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Alright, and it's time to do stories and here we are. It is either future or present or past. Chris and Kristen, I don't really know what to call it, but we are back from Global Pet Expo back in the comfort of our own homes and we didn't have all the time to cover all of our stories. So the next few episodes, you're going to see us back at home as we reflect and look at all the stories happening around Kristen, are you all rested
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Up? I am. I feel so much better. And you look great. You look rested. I mean,
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Look
Speaker 2 (02:31):
At
Speaker 1 (02:32):
My
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Eyes.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
There's hope in them. There's hope in them.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, so don't adjust your dial. I know we're jumping back and forth from global, but we're going to catch you up on our stories today. And Chris, I think you've got something that has a lot to do with some info that was released at Global. I did,
Speaker 1 (02:51):
And I think this is fun stuff that our pet parents may not necessarily care about, but I think it's interesting to hear anyway because pets have become so popular and the amount of money we spend and the impact on the economy and how just the number of pet owners growing. It's becoming so much more part of our culture and I think it's just fun to hear some of these numbers. So let's hear it A PPA. They put out their state of the industry and they cover it at global and the huge press releases out if you are a pet brand or manufacturer or an A PPA member, reach out to A PPA for your full copy of all this amazing data and information. It's a huge report, but I'm going to cover some of the highlights here for our pet parents and our listeners. The first, Kristen, do you want to guess in 2025 how much people basically spent on their pets like the pet industry? Total expenditure. It's in the billions. That's your hint. It's in the
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Billions. Yeah, in 2025.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
2025.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
I want to say like 120.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
You are really good at this.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Well, it's kind not fair because
Speaker 1 (04:04):
We're
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Professionals.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
It's 150 billion in 2025. That is a 3.7% increase. And a PPA is projecting that that expenditure will reach 165 billion in 2026.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I'm doing my part for
Speaker 1 (04:22):
A full year growth. So it's 4.4% growth and 2% driven by inflation. So it is actual growth. Growth and we're saying 95 million US households owning at least one
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Pet. Incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
So thank you everyone for spending your hard earned cash on your pets. You are keeping us gainfully employed and you are keeping the motor of this industry running. I've got more from this report, but you're going to have to tune into the next episodes as we continue our global pet Expo journey to catch some of these fun tips.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
And I have an economic story today too, somewhat, but just before I go to that, I've got to tell you something. I don't even know if you were born at this time, but I can remember this is how long I've been working in the pet industry. I can remember when the annual spending, I want to say it was 1997 was
Speaker 1 (05:21):
I was
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Alive.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
17 billion, just one seven 17 billion. So look at how it's grown and it's not really been that long, like 29 years, 28 years.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah. One thing I'll say, growing up in the nineties, we were outliers for having a pet in our neighborhood.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Really?
Speaker 1 (05:43):
We were the pet, were the animal family in our little suburban home.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Interesting.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
There were very few pets and specifically cats. We were the only people on the block with a pet cat, which I mean it's just things have
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Changed. They have super cool. Okay, so mine has a little bit to do with money. It's a little different spin though. We all know that our pets are priceless, but economists just recently put an actual dollar figure on the value our pets bring to our lives. This is crazy. This number. So this is research from the University of Kent across the pond, found that having a cat or dog as a companion can increase human life satisfaction and wellbeing as much as your family and friends do. They've put a $90,000 value per year on the impact, the value that your pets bring to your life. I don't disagree that they contribute hugely, but 90 grand. That seems crazy.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
90,000.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
And this is from physicians.org. This is legit. Let's see. The research also found that cat owners tend to be more open-minded while dog owners tend to be more extroverted, agreeable and less anxious. And that is not true for me at least. But the cool thing is the head of this research, she said the research answers the question of why their overall pet companions are good for us with a resounding yes, which we kind of already knew and that pet care for us pets care for us and there's a significant monetary value associated with the companionship and hopefully this information can be used for healthcare practices and policies, pet-friendly housing and therapy animal programs and more. So a little bit of what we already knew, but I've never seen a dollar figure placed on the value like that.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Yeah, I'm really curious on the methodology for that. Was it like a survey thing or were they like
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Yeah, I'll dig
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Into that and see if
Speaker 2 (07:53):
I can,
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Very interesting in how it was measured because listen, $90,000, I mean I love my pets, but $90,000, I mean, I'd love 90,000
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Instead of a pet. No.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. It's tough. Listen, that number exists. There's a number there. There's a number there, but wow. Yeah, I think that's really interesting and I wonder if Hari's ever done anything with them. Yeah,
Speaker 2 (08:26):
That's a good question. I don't know. I'll have to dig into that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
I got to get Felden back on here and tell him $90,000 are your pet dog and I guarantee you that his number is going to be a lot higher than everybody else's.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Sure. Beyond the leash, exploring the untold stories of pet passion and professionalism.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Alright, it is my pleasure to introduce our guest, Sandy Moore. She's the CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, an organization dedicated to advancing responsible pet care through education, advocacy and public policy. The organization works across the pet industry to promote animal welfare, protect access to pets, and ensure that regulation support both pets and the people who care for them. Through this work, Sandy helps bridge the gap between policymakers, industry leaders, and pet owners to shape the future of pet ownership. Welcome Sandy.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Thank you. Thank you for having me on. Of course. Really a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Of course. Yeah. Well, Sandy, for people who might not be familiar, what is the pet advocacy network and what role will it play in the pet industry? Great
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Question. So the pet advocacy network is also known as pja is the lobbying arm of the pet industry to ensure the supply of live pets because without pets there is no pet industry.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
That's true.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
And we want to make sure that pets are available and they're responsibly and
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, absolutely. So I think a lot of the pet parents out there may not even be aware of some of the things that are happening. So in your opinion, what are some of the big issues that either breeders or pet stores or even pet owners are facing from a policy regulation standpoint?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
We're facing a number of challenges right now. Our biggest challenge are pet sale bans and they are across the country and they start with restricting the sale of dogs and cats at retail and then dogs and cats and rabbits and then Guinea pigs, and then reptiles and birds and fish. In West Hollywood, for example, the sale of the wildlife pets are illegal effective October of last year. Wow. Other issues that we're battling include supporting the sustainable fisheries of Hawaii where yellow tanks come from for the aquatics industry. We deal with es the convention for the International Trade of Endangered species, which allows for sustainable use of animals, and we want to make sure that the animals that are in trade, we are not adversely affecting their populations in the wild.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Sandy,
Speaker 3 (11:08):
I want to go
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Back to what you said about pet sail band. Sure. Because I learned at the PET summit earlier this week, I got to sit on a panel to judge the marketing innovation fund. So I learned about how those bands can actually lead to scams, and as that's become less available through retail locations than bad actors had to take advantage of those things.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Well that's right.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
So
Speaker 3 (11:38):
It's a really interesting issue that we're dealing with. So right now we're looking at, on a scale of 32,000 people on TikTok selling dogs.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Yeah. It's crazy,
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Right? You don't know how those dogs are bred because there's no, on those social media platforms, there's no standards of care. You're really hoping that the person that you're buying from is going to be ethical and going to raise those animals in a way that we can all be proud of. However, a great majority of the sellers are not real. They're selling, you're going to put a deposit down for perhaps the animal and transportation and they never appear, or they're going to sell you an animal that was raised in a way that none of us can support. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Well Sandy, help us protect our pet parents at home. How to identify a scam or maybe let's shed it in a positive light. How can we identify good breeders who are following all the standards and are going to provide a quality animal who is raised with care?
Speaker 3 (12:43):
So first of all, what I would look for as an animal buyer, I would like to see if it's a commercially bred animal, I'd want to see A-U-S-D-A facility, USDA licensed facility with no direct violations, which means things that actually affect the health and care of the animal within the past three years. I would also, if it is a hobby breeder, I would want to see their Hobby club certification or audit because there are standards to be met. You can put two animals together and maybe create some additional animals. But is it needing the standards of that reed with people that buy purpose bread animals by them for a specific character trait. They want hunting dogs or they want dogs that are hypoallergenic or they want animals that are historically good with kids and good with other animals. That's great advice. One more thing I would add to that. If the only choice for you is to buy an animal on the internet, I would look real hard at the pictures that are provided to make sure that they are not something that has been copied. And so do a Google search of that picture.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
And I mean, in this world of AI and stuff like that, and you really have to be scrupulous. You really have to look at this stuff and use your better judgment. And if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
And actually I saw something on your website the other day. I think I shared it as might've been my story
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Story at some point. Yeah, this
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Whole
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Week's a blur.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Yeah. I know you talked about some of the things that you should do. I make sure you speak to this person on the phone, make sure that if it's a hobby leader you can visit their facility and other, so your website has some really great resources for pet parents. They
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Sure do.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Right
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Is pet advocacy.org. Okay.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
So let's get back to talking about the legislation. What are some of the common misconceptions that people have about pet related legislation or
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Well, I think with pet, pet sale fans in particular, I think there is a big myth out there that all commercially bred animals are done for profit only. And I actually, coming from an animal grieving background myself, I've never met anyone that breeds animals for the money. We do it because we love the animals and we happen to know a great deal about the breeds. If we happen to make a little bit of money, that's great. I don't know anybody ever that's gotten rich doing it. So not supporting those people who actually love those animals and cherish the breeds is really counterintuitive for the long-term health of the industry.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I think there was some whiplash maybe 10, 15 years ago when there were a lot of stories about these puppy mills and things like that. And sure, those are awful and we can all agree
Speaker 3 (15:40):
We
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Don't want that happening. But would you agree that it's really a small percentage of breeders who are acting unethically that the problem has sort of ballooned because we sensationalize news? Or do you think that there is still work to do in addressing some breeders who don't have that level of care?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
So I do believe it's a small percentage and I believe there are people out there who need to get put out business.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Of course. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Unfortunately, by passing these pet sale bans, we actually support the kind of people that we're trying to put out of business because the general public
Speaker 1 (16:16):
And they're not following the wall anyway. Yeah. They're not following the wall. They're going to go do what they're going to do whether or not. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
Well, how can we as pet parents get involved and make our voices heard on these issues that affect facts?
Speaker 3 (16:30):
If you would join our network of advocates on our website and when things happen in your local area, we'll be contacting you and asking you to write in or call your lawmakers to tell them that you support pet choice and you support responsible grieving
Speaker 1 (16:47):
And that website. One more time where folks can go to learn more
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Pet advocacy.org.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Alright. You heard it here from Sandy Moore herself. Everyone be careful out there on the internet. It's a scary place. Sandy, thank you so much for this work you do really behind the scenes of behind the scenes working to keep our pets safe and our industry booming. We appreciate everything you do.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
It's my pleasure. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
I think people who work like that, I said behind the scenes of behind the scenes because there's the whole pet industry moving forward, trying to create excellent products and take care of everybody's animals. There's the people behind the scenes there making those things possible. But then there's a whole other layer behind the scenes to make sure everything is done safe and ethically and responsibly. And I think they're just unsung heroes out there really making sure everything stays positive. And it's one of the reasons we could be proud to be in this industry because of the way we respect and treat animals and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
And I'm glad we had her on the show because like we talked about, most pet parents don't know that Pam exists and that they're doing all this great work for us. So I encourage you to check it out. Pet advocacy.org, is that it?
Speaker 1 (18:11):
I think it was.org.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Go back to the interview. Rewind. Rewind a minute and a half and you'll find it right there. We haven't time traveled at all. She just left the room right now. Just rewind the show people.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
It's my pleasure to introduce our guest Ravena Arts. Did I pronounce that correctly?
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Absolutely. That's fabulous. This
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Is why we have Kristen do the interest.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, thanks so much. Chris. Head of exhibitions at WZF and owner and organizer up Enter Zoo, the world's leading trade fair for pet supplies with a doctorate in business administration and over 15 years of experience in international management in the profit and nonprofit sector. She leads the development and execution of strategic and transnational projects. I didn't read very well today.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
I'm sorry you got your glasses on so you have no excuse. You have no excuse.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
Yeah. It's also the very difficult words like transnational.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
That's
Speaker 5 (19:14):
The key.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
When you're writing your bio folks out there, if you're writing your bio, use big words, biggest words you'd find.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
Well, we, Germans we're known for putting very long words. So I
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Could be German. I have some favorite German words. I think my favorite is Shade and Freud, when you take pleasure in other people's displeasure, I use that all the time.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Well anyway, welcome. We're so glad to have you here. I'm very happy to be here. And actually interviewed her briefly at the Pet summit the other night. No idea who she was. I thought I was just talking to Pet Lover and then she told me who she was. I was like, wow, okay. Anyway, actually
Speaker 5 (19:51):
I am a pet lover as
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Well. Are
Speaker 5 (19:52):
We?
Speaker 2 (19:53):
First and foremost, right? Otherwise you would not be in this industry. Interview was the biggest and most international trade fair for the pet industry. How did you get involved in
Speaker 5 (20:04):
Well, actually I love pets since I'm a little child. So we always had cats and whenever I saw like a dog or a cat, I always turned to it. But then my profession took me really to exhibitions. So I did my PhD also on the competitiveness of exhibition companies in Europe and then started to work with K Messer. And from there it took me to the Global Association of the exhibition industry in Paris. And there one day I received a call, could you imagine? To lead the world's leading exhibition for the pet supplies. And I was thinking, oh my God, this is great. This allows me to combine two passions,
Speaker 1 (20:44):
The
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Passion for pets and the passion for exhibitions. So what could be better?
Speaker 1 (20:47):
There we go. Yeah, I feel like everybody who's been involved in exhibitions has a very similar story. So I'm one of the organizers here at Global Pet Expo and yeah, this job totally just fell into my lap. I heard pets and I said, I'll take the job right now please. But we're here at Global Pet Expo and I organized this show. You organize that show, we're frenemies. It's fine, it's fine. But our shows are very unique. They're very different. I've had the opportunity to attend Inner Zoo and I guess sort of want your take on what makes Inner Zoo truly a unique experience.
Speaker 5 (21:28):
I think it's really the pure B2B character of the show combined with the international nationality. So for the upcoming edition, we have more than 2,300 exhibitors. So not brands, pure companies who exhibit and bring their brands and they're from more than 65 countries and still signing up. So we'll see. And on the buyer side, we had last edition 37,000 buyer who all have to prove that they're in the industries. So same as near, but they come from 140 countries. Wow. That's a lot of people.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
If anybody's listening to this while they're at global, we're at Global Pet Expo, take global and almost double it entirely. Wow. And you're at I Zoo and the campus is amazing. You guys are still at the Mesa?
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Yeah, we are at Nuremberg, meso and Nuremberg Mesa. It's different than global. Global. It's super comfortable because we have everything in one hall. Yeah, one building connected and it's unique in Nuremberg we have pavilion, so we are going to be in 15 exhibition parks and in the middle there's also a garden. So people bring dogs, they go outside in the sun during lunch break. So that's nice as well. And in IC it's also very special. Not all of the halls are rectangular, so have also octagons. And so it's like,
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Which is a dream for trade show organizers who have to lay out a floor plan on a grid
Speaker 2 (23:02):
As an attendee, it's probably easier to get lost in a round room.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Yeah. Listen, I'm not afraid to admit that the first time I went to Inner Zoo as a trade show guy who organizes hall all the time, I got so lost and then I figured out the logic behind how they do their numbers. I was like, man, these Germans, they know what's up. And then I wasn't lost the rest of the time, so I should take my own advice and I should have done my homework for attending a trade conference. You
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Go now, you know the thing old's getting easier with the app. So with the digital planning, but the suggestions, how to go with orientation on the floor. So that helps a lot for sure.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
So Ravena, I want to challenge you to help our listeners who are primarily pet parents, help them understand what happens at a show like Ira Zoo from their perspective as pet parents. Why are these shows important for us as pet parents?
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Yes, absolutely. At Ira Zoo you have the brands who come and exhibit the products and you have the big stores like PetSmart or Petco or which is a European brand, but also Kafu. So we have the big retailers and the small retailers as well as individual stores who come and look for innovations on the one side, but also to do their ordering. So buying from those ones who are exhibiting there. And of course you have also companies there who are manufacturing and offer to manufacture, for example, dog toys in the way the retailer would love to have them. So actually it's like everything which is happening before you go into the store. So if you wonder where your pet store gets supplies from, that's going to be at Global for example. Or it's going to be at In Zoo where the stores actually buy their supplies. And that could be food, that could be toys, that could be everything.
(25:08):
At In Zoo there is also a little bit more, so we go a little bit upstream what you see in the stores. So actually we also have some of the pet food manufacturers there who have the machines with which you produce the kibbles and everything or who show you how the packaging is done. So that means also at Inner Zoo we discuss topics which are for the pet parent behind the scenes. So actually how does the package look like? What are sustainable trends there? How can we improve animal welfare and how can we improve packaging products innovation? Also, the people were actually producing the pet would meet and exchange there. So it's behind the scenes and then it's what you have.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
Exactly. Well I think too with your show being so international, I mean buyers from 140 different countries is amazing. What I found here at Global is as these folks come from different countries and they're acting in the role of importer to really bring these products home, there's a worldwide demand for quality products. And a lot of those products are produced in Europe and the United States and Europe and the United States have a very specific way. You have to package and label these products. You have to follow all the laws and things like that. When you're going to a different country, it's got to be in a different package and no manufacturer is just going to start producing that on their own. They have to recognize the demand. And I think a lot of that demand gets filled at these trade shows where here at Global Pex, where we see a lot of folks from the Brazilian market coming up here to Florida and they see products that are being made for America and they say, well, that's a really quality product. I want to bring that back to Brazil. And without that face-to-face interaction here at a trade show, that product is never going to appear in the Brazilian market. So I think that really is one of the main catalysts of a trade show. It gets the product on the shelf. It doesn't happen magically people, there's no stork that's going to go around dropping off the product. It really does happen at places like this. Yeah,
Speaker 5 (27:16):
Absolutely. I cannot agree more. It's like really you can say it happened at the trade show where you can see the product, feel the product, experience the product, smell the product, taste the product, depending on what sometimes
Speaker 1 (27:29):
I've done it before, I've done it before. Talk to me a bit about educational opportunities, even if there's not a lot of formalized education. I think another part of trade shows is when a retailer gets the opportunity to really learn about a product and take that knowledge home, how do you feel that impacts the end consumer? When we have just more people knowledgeable about these products working in retail stores,
Speaker 5 (27:54):
I think it's absolutely important to other educational sessions. We have some really important plant topics like
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Animal
Speaker 5 (28:04):
Health, so to better understand what's in the package or what are the effects of certain products on the animals so that you can explain that also in a good way. So better to understand what a supplement in a product is for only then you can sell it to your customers. The other thing is sustainability. And we have here, for example, the pet sustainability coalition being really strong and we also have that we have a sustainability conference also at Inter Zoo because we think that's an important topic. It really is, and it needs a lot of education and a lot of inspiring as well because you see things and you take it on.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
And
Speaker 5 (28:49):
Then also learning about if you're a retailer, when you have products coming from different countries, what do you agree to pay attention to? If you want to import something, what are rules and regulations really happen this way? But then in the end also for the pet parents to say, okay, if there's a certain logo on it, what does it mean? What does it tell me and how can I transform that as a valuable information for the pet parent?
Speaker 2 (29:20):
One of the things I love so much about these exhibitions is the variety of professionals from the industry that come together. And as a pet care educator myself, I try to attend shows like Global Pet Expo and also on the veterinary side, is there any crossover at Inter Zoo with the veterinary industry? Is there an animal health component to your show?
Speaker 5 (29:46):
We have always vets visiting the show as well. A couple of years ago we had also an educational seminar for them. We are now focusing actively more on retail, but still offering a lot also for the vets, but not accessories for vet clinics or anything. But we have this year a specific product showcase also on healthcare. So this is something, and of course the vets also in Germany for example, they sell specific product lines and those product lines are normally showed on vet shows and not at ER Zoo because they're just simply different.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Yeah, absolutely. So Robina, before we let you go, for those who may be listening and some of our industry pals who may be interested in attending Inter Zoo, where can they go to learn more and let us know the dates of the next edition of Inter Zoo?
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Hey, I'm very happy to do that. So the dates are 12 to 15th of May this year in Nuremberg.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Beautiful time to visit Germany,
Speaker 5 (30:55):
By the way. Absolutely. It's asparagus time and Izu only takes place every second year. So if you're not decided yet, please come this year and save the date also for 2028. And you get more information on www.in.com. There you find everything. And we do have also the little extra on the 11th already. There's a sustainability conference. It's taking place with Vice, sorry, from the United Nations. We have the Vice Secretary General who also developed the SDGs, who's the keynote speaker. So that said something really good.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
I got to yell at our CEO, we don't have anybody from the United Nations, we got to figure this out.
Speaker 5 (31:38):
We
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Got to figure this out.
Speaker 5 (31:41):
And then there's the pet from Europe also taking place on the 11th. So yeah, lots to do.com. You can find everything. You can follow us also on Instagram at INTERO 2026 or of course on LinkedIn and Facebook. Amazing, happy. And if you want to get in contact with us, please feel free. We are here as well with the booth number 2 9 7 7. And we are happy to,
Speaker 1 (32:08):
Like I said, frenemies.
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Frenemies.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
I say frenemies and I say coopetition
Speaker 5 (32:14):
Actually. I think it's because behind Global Cut Expo and behind End user, there are the associations. And I think it's super important that the associations work together. And I think that we all work united for the pet industry, for the pets because we think we are all pet lovers and we want to do the best for them. And the better our shows are, the more we can offer and the more international we work together, the better it is for the pets and the pet.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
I agree wholeheartedly. I agree. Yep. Well, thank you so much for taking some time from your busy global Pet Exco schedule to stop on by Busy. We're going to let you get back to that booth.
Speaker 5 (32:50):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
But everyone be sure to check out their website. They have an amazing, amazing, amazing show. I wish I was able to go this year. Unfortunately I'm not going to be attending, but I will be there in spirit. Rowena, thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (33:02):
Thank you so much to both of you. It was really a pleasure being here and congratulations Global Panex for thank. It's great. I love it. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
Chris, you said you went to Izu?
Speaker 1 (33:16):
I have, yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Yeah. So I see how hard you work on this show and how stressed you get. Can you imagine working on that show?
Speaker 1 (33:24):
I like to think that they have a few more people.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
They have more.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
I should have asked her how big their operations team is. Our operations team is technically only four people. What our marketing team, I think is 10 or something like that. A lot of people, a few people can get a lot done when they have a lot of time. And Zu is every other year. So
Speaker 2 (33:51):
They get two years to plan. They
Speaker 1 (33:52):
Get two years to plan. But I would imagine that if Global Pet Expo was every other year, my anxiety would be doubled. You know what I mean? Because there's a lot more riding on the success of the event if it's every other year. But it's truly an amazing show. We are so happy to partner with them and have a friendly relationship. We do with all the leading trade shows. And we've even had some folks on from things like Super Pet Expo and some of the smaller shows and the consumer shows and the more niche stuff. We're all in this together working hard to keep it all glued together. And I think that's what makes the pet industry special. You don't see that in other trade industries. I know of two food associations who not get along. I'll tell you that much. Yeah, lots of drama in the association world. Okay. Non-for-profit doesn't mean no drama. Sounds
Speaker 2 (34:41):
Like a reality show.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Oh my goodness. Could you imagine, Ron? I got a show idea. I got a show idea. Ron.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
The product of the week.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
All right, it's time for our product of the week, global Bad expo edition. We got some more great products for you. Do you want me to kick it off? Yeah, go for it, Kristen. Alright. I am really excited about these products. They're called Delectables and I talk about this kind of stuff with cats all the time because Kat is having its moment. You may have heard me say it like a gazillion times recently, but there is now a lot of attention being brought towards cat treats and cat add-ons and cat mix-ins and how can we supplement their diet? How can we make food more exciting for them? And I think what Delectables did a really good job here is addressing texture, which cats care about a lot more than dogs. There are some cats that straight up will not eat dry kibble on its own. They need something mixed in there and there's all sorts of different textures. So what's really cool about Delectables is they have six count 'em, six unique textures. And I'm going to hold these up like cards. They come in, little packages like this, folks, look at these. Everybody's used to packaging like that cards. And your favorite texture is like creamy puree, gravy, stew bisque, broth and chowder. My six favorite liquids.
(36:15):
How about that? How about that? You could use it on its own as a topper, as a mix in on the go or freeze and lick. I don't know if anybody's done that with these things. You throw 'em in the freezer,
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Tongue stick would've bit present.
Speaker 1 (36:28):
I think cats have different tongues. That's true.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
Well
Speaker 1 (36:31):
Yeah. I don't think you should be doing it. Yeah. Although I do think you should take this gravy with chicken and Turkey, stick it in your freezer and eat it like a Popsicle. I'm sure you'd really enjoy that. Kristin, it's also healthy hydration for your cat. Cats are notoriously stubborn when it comes to drinking water. This is going to help them get more water in their system. No added fillers, no byproducts, no added preservatives. In fact, I'm looking at some of the expiration dates and they're a lot sooner than you'd think. These are fresh products to be used on demand, mix it in, give it as a treat, freeze and lick, or take it on the go. I mean this would fit in my pocket. I'm dealing them out like cards. Everybody's getting delectables. Alright, so thank you Delectables. Be sure to check them out. I think I've got some social handles here on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube at Delectables Cat Treats. Alright.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
Alright, great job. So my product of the week today is from a company called PET Ag, which I know has been around a really long time ever. They go way back. And I wanted to talk a little bit about their legacy in animal nutrition and their portfolio of science backed products designed to support pet health and wellness. Another thing that has been having a moment for a long time, but especially now with the science backed data, bless you, is quality supplements for our dogs. These are for dogs. And this line of supplements from PET is called Dying, EYNE. Right here I've got the joint health and mobility version. Let's see. Oh, and this is cool. They had a QR code on the top of each one of these little cans so that you can read about the science that powers the ingredient.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Now that's some serious transparency right on the top.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
And then this one is for endurance and vitality. So this I imagine would be ideal for maybe adolescent dogs and adult until their senior years. That one this next shoe is for Oh, calming. Calming.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Oh, we talk about those kinds of things a lot. Yeah. I
Speaker 2 (38:38):
Love to learn about new calming products because of course in June we have that anxiety warning.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (38:43):
So calming advanced health. Lemme
Speaker 1 (38:45):
See.
Speaker 2 (38:47):
And then the last one I have here is for digestion and immune support. These are all veterinary formulating, they're science backed. I know I said that three times already, but I just want to emphasize that. And I think that that is really what's setting a lot of supplements apart is the science and that formulation. But I also think that extra in here, this might be just a, oh, this is just a supplement. Yeah,
Speaker 1 (39:10):
The sample
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Size for the joint health and mobility. So if you are looking to extend your pet's wellness, joint health, calming, check out these Pet Ag products. Dine is the line,
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Dine is the line Q and as. Alright, Kristen, it's time for our favorite part of the show. That's right. We're going to answer two questions from you folks at home. And I know what you're thinking. How do I get my question answered by Chris and Kristen? Well, it couldn't be easy. Or head on over to pets add life.org/podcast. Scroll on down to the bottom of that page. You'll see a form. Just submit your question. Or if you're feeling as brave as somebody wearing high heels at a trade show, and I've seen a few
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Make that mistake one time. You
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Made that mistake one time. But if you're feeling that brave, you can record a voice memo and you may hear your question asked Live on our show.
Speaker 2 (40:04):
I forgot. I'm sorry. I love that because whenever I see a woman in high heels at a trade show, I just go,
Speaker 3 (40:09):
Oh honey.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
Yeah, no, it's like from the Hateful eight with all those comedians and James Franco and they're on the gallows and he is got the no around his neck and he looks at he goes first time. That's what I think. First time. First time. First time. It's got to be your first time. Okay. I'm sorry. Alright. No, no, no. I love a good distraction. So Kristen, I've got a question for you. And this question comes from Amanda in Miami, Florida,
Speaker 2 (40:32):
Miami in the house,
Speaker 1 (40:34):
Miami is in the house and she asks, my dog is friendly with people but not right with other dogs. Is it too late to socialize an adult dog and how should I approach it?
Speaker 2 (40:44):
Ah, good question Amanda. Good
Speaker 1 (40:47):
Question.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Okay, so I wouldn't say it's probably not too late, but the way you're going to approach this matters. The goal is not to force interaction. It's really building positive association at dog's own pace. You might want to start with parallel walking. Actually, my sister was dealing with this with her dog and she got her neighbor to team up with her and she would walk her dog on one side of the street and her neighbor would walk her dog on the other side of the street. So they're walking in parallel with a calm dog without direct interaction and had an enough distance that the more anxious dog or Unsocialized dog feels relaxed. And my sister did this with her dog for about a month and she said it really made a big difference. You could also, lemme give a shout out Fear Free because Fear Free has dog trainers that are Fear Free certified and they specialize in helping dogs that have anxiety or fear or stress issues to kind of do some behavior modifications. So you can always go to the Fear Free website, put your zip code in and it'll show you the trainers in the area or any credible credential dog fan can also help you out with that.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
That is some great advice.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
Okay. So Chris, I have a fish question
Speaker 1 (42:02):
And we're in the fish bowl so it works
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Out. Perfect. Perfect. It's from Daniel and Tampa. He says, I'm new to owning fish and I want to do it right. What are the most important things people often get wrong when setting up and maintaining a home aquarium?
Speaker 1 (42:16):
This is a great question, Daniel. Thank you for asking it. I think the first thing people get wrong is a misconception. Fish are pets. I consider them a pet, but they're also a hobby. The reason I say a hobby, hobbies require knowledge and practice. And while you could probably say the same about owning a dog or owning a cat, you could be a bad dog, ODing, your dog would still live a happy life. Like your dog may have behavioral problems and may nip at people and may bark all the time and might not ever really be housebroken, but they'll still lead a happy life.
(42:57):
If you take that approach with fish, they'll die. Yeah. It's just the way it is. So I think the first thing to think about is act like your aquarium is a science experiment. So you're looking at numbers, you're testing water, you are staying within certain boundaries and you're staying up on maintenance. Water health I think is the number one thing. A lot of people just assume that if a fish is in water, they could breathe that water. And I know we all know the difference between fresh and salt water. And I doubt if you're new, you're going to be doing a salt water aquarium, please don't do a water aqua brand new. It's so tough, but I'm assuming it's fresh water. But there's things like how much bacteria is in that water? There's a white amount. Same with algae. There's a correct amount and it's not zero.
(43:41):
The pH level of this water, the temperature of the water and understanding which fish will work in community together because you want to put fish together, that can exist in the same environment. I can't think of an example off the top of my head, but there's some warm water, more tropical fish who are going to enjoy a tank closer to 80 degrees. And then there's going to be more like river fish who are going to enjoy a tank closer to 70 degrees. And you probably don't want to put them together. You don't compromise on 75. So I think those are some of the mistakes that people are going to make. And what I will say, if you are interested in keeping an aquarium at home, find a local aquarium retailer or hobbyist store or fish store. These are people who are incredibly passionate. If they're still in business to this date, they're doing something right. They're going to be very reliable sources of information. You could walk in that door and say, I don't know anything. Please help. And you will make that person's day because they love to talk about this stuff and get people set up. So don't take it from me. Walk on down the road, find your local aquarium stored, and I'm sure you'll be off to a great start. Daniel, thank you for your question. Two Florida questions while we're in Florida. A tect
Speaker 2 (44:58):
Lec.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
That's terrible. That's terrible.
Speaker 2 (45:01):
Well, it's two tri three.
Speaker 1 (45:03):
Well yeah, because we're in Florida. Oh,
Speaker 2 (45:05):
Because you're counting up. Yeah. Yeah, it is trifecta.
Speaker 1 (45:08):
A trifecta trick. A hat trick. There we go. All right. Thanks for your questions, folks.
Speaker 3 (45:15):
Did it.
Speaker 1 (45:16):
Yeah. It feels like a sprint to the finish year, doesn't it? But we're getting close, man. So much cool stuff at Global Pet Expo. It's been an absolute pleasure bringing these amazing guests and stories and products to you straight from Global Pet Expo. When
Speaker 2 (45:30):
We come back from the show, my friends are like, how can I go to that show? And I have to break the news to them. But it's not for the public, it's not for pet lovers. It could be in the pet industry. But the good news is there are so many different jobs, so many different ways you could work in the pet industry.
Speaker 1 (45:47):
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Just get a toe in folks. Get a toe in, try it out. Or if you just enjoy being a pet parent, check out Global Pet Expo, social media. In fact, we've partnered with so many different influencers this year who are producing content. So if you follow those influencers, you're going to get a real solid taste of what the show has to offer, all from the comfort of your own home. And while you're there sitting on your butts watching tv, you should be watching us on your television available on YouTube, dog tv and dog tv. Unleashed is the video production of the PAL podcast. I spend a lot of money on these cameras, folks. Don't make me look dumb. Watch the videos. Good for you. I did it for you. It's really some great stuff. This whole entire crew has been amazing. All the talent here has been amazing, this whole area. I think I'm going to have to do some type of behind the scenes video with our social person because everybody at home deserves to see what we're working with people. It's really something special. We've got two live streaming stations. We're doing show talks. We've got a whole set for dog tv,
Speaker 2 (46:52):
A TikTok shop.
Speaker 1 (46:53):
Yeah, we've
Speaker 3 (46:53):
Got,
Speaker 2 (46:53):
They're doing Live TikTok shop.
Speaker 1 (46:55):
We're doing tiktoks. Can you believe it, Chris? We're doing the tiktoks. Follow us on our tiktoks, our YouTubes, our Instagrams, and all that other stuff. And we will see you back here on Tuesday. Until then, be kind to yourself. Be kind to your animals and Woo pets. Add life, your guide to the latest in pet Trends products and the joy of the human animal bond with Kristen Levine and me. Chris Bon, powered by the American Pet Products Association. And I not say tv. Did I say weird
Speaker 2 (47:33):
God Questions? The experts have answers.
Speaker 1 (47:36):
Every Friday, a brand episode of the Experts Drops, featuring the biggest names in pet care.
Speaker 2 (47:42):
From behavior to health, training to nutrition are panel of top veterinarians, trainers and technicians tackles it all.
Speaker 1 (47:49):
Real questions from real pet parents and real answers. From the best in the business,
Speaker 2 (47:55):
The experts. Every Friday only on Unleashed by dog tv.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
Watch and learn. Your pet will think.
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