A Closer Look at Global Pet Expo: Top 13 Award Winners, Trends, and Impact

The Global Pet Expo, a premier trade show in the pet industry that gathers attendees from over 100 countries, returned to Orlando, Florida from March 25 to March 27, 2026. This year’s event attracted over 22,000 participants, featuring more than 1,200 exhibitors across 3,500 booths, and showcased over a thousand new products within the pet sector.

As a multilingual dog media and marketing platform, Cosmodoggyland attended to gain insights into market trends and connect with exhibitors and industry leaders, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the global pet community through innovative marketing solutions and resources. The expo highlighted the importance of in-person interactions in fostering relationships and enhancing brand visibility in a rapidly evolving market.

Fetching the Future: The Latest Pet Industry Trends

For over 50 years, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) Research & Insights Team has been a leader in U.S. pet consumer insights. Every year, they conduct a National Pet Owners Survey and publish quarterly reports and economic forecasts to help businesses align their offering with pet owner needs and plan for the future.

What are the total expenditures in the U.S. pet industry?

The U.S. pet industry has spent:

Year	Billions of Dollars
2025	$158.0
2024	$151.9
2023	$147.0
2022	$136.8
2021	$123.6
2020	$103.6
2019	$97.1
2018	$90.5

What is the projected amount for the year 2026?

The projected total expenditures in the U.S. pet industry for 2026 $165 billions of dollars.

What were the sales in the U.S. market for pets in 2025?

American spent $158 billion on pets in 2025.

Category	Billions of Dollars
Pet Food & Treats	$68.3
Vet Care & Product Sales	$41.0
Supplies, Live Animals & OTC Medicine	$34.4
Other Services*	$14.3

How many U.S. households own a pet?

A total of 95 million U.S. households own a pet.

Species	Millions of Households
Dog	71
Cat	53
Freshwater Fish	9
Reptile	6
Bird	5
Small Animal	5
Horse	2
Saltwater Fish	1

What is the percentage of pet ownership by generation?

Boomer	32%
Milennial	30%
Gen X	28%
Gen Z	21%

How do pet-related businesses impact U.S. employment?

There are 2.75 million jobs linked directly or indirectly to the pet support sector and 1.27 million jobs in pet-related goods and service industries. Pet-industry jobs have generated $140.12 billion in earnings in the U.S.

Global Pet Expo: The Premier Event for the Pet Industry

Global Pet Expo stands as a signature event in the pet industry, organized by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Each year, it brings together established brands and industry leaders, while also featuring more than 3,000 new product launches and 300 first-time exhibitors.

As a media and marketing platform, Cosmodoggyland had the opportunity to participate and meet a wide range of pet industry professionals among the many independent retailers, distributors, manufacturers, mass-market buyers, and VC and finance experts in attendance. These connections allow us to bring meaningful insights back to our community on pet industry trends and opportunities that drive business growth.

The expo showcases a diverse array of brands and highlights the latest product innovations across 13 categories. Beyond product discovery, the event offered a chance to engage with forward-thinking brands and uncover emerging businesses. This perspective helps us better support our international community of pet parents and petpreneurs with inspiration and strategic guidance for innovation and growth.

The APPA, founded in 1958, and PIDA, established in 1968, both play crucial roles in supporting the pet industry. Together, these leading pet trade associations promote initiatives that benefit both humans and pets, reinforcing the importance of the human-animal bond.

13 “Best in Show” 2026 Global Pet Expo Award Winners

In a significant celebration of innovation within the pet industry, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) have announced the winners of the 16th annual New Products Showcase “Best in Show” Awards. These awards honor new pet products set to debut in 2026, showcasing the industry’s responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences in wellness, sustainability, technology, and design. The winners were determined through votes cast by a diverse group of domestic and international buyers, media representatives, and influencers attending the event.

The New Products Showcase serves as a platform to connect innovative ideas with market demands, enhancing the visibility of new products and ensuring they effectively reach pet owners through the distribution network. This year’s event also featured the inaugural Human-Animal Bond Breakthrough Award, which highlights the industry’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between pets and their owners. Overall, these awards not only celebrate the pet industry’s dedication to innovation and care but also provide valuable insights into its future direction.

Here are the “Best in Show” 2026 Global Pet Expo award winners by category:

Aquatic: Nano Arctica E-Chiller by JBJ Aquarium Products

The Arctica Nano E-Chiller is a cooling solution designed for aquariums, axolotls, reefs, and reptile habitats to ensure optimal temperature control for thriving environments.

Bird: Suet Minis Fruit Blend by Wildlife Sciences

The Suet Minis Fruit Blend are melt-resistant, nutritious bird feed made in the USA.

Cat: Lady N Pheromone Tofu Litter | Standard Box

Lady N is a plant-based, biodegradable pea-fiber tofu litter solution compatible with both traditional and automatic litter boxes and enhanced with botanical pheromone technology to promote litter box acceptance.

Dog Food/Treats: Bramble Human-Grade, Plant-Based Fresh Dog Food

Bramble offers hypoallergenic, meat-free, vet-formulated dog food to improve gut health and lower cholesterol for all dogs, include those with food sensitivities.

Dog Products: Ruff Liners Back Seat Extender w/ Door Protection

Ruff liners back seat cover features integrated door protection ensuring safe and comfortable travel in trucks and SUVs.

Farm & Feed: ALZOO Horse Shampoo(s) Dark Coat & White Coat

ALZOO Dark & White Coat Horse Shampoo enhances the natural brilliance of coats while gently cleaning without stripping moisture and provides a fresh, plant-based grooming experience.

NEW! Human Animal Bond Breakthrough Award: StitchLeash Clip & Go Walk System

StitchLeash is a customizable modular solution that allows you to easily attach essentials like treats and waste bags directly to the leash with Clip & Go™ convenience.

Modern Pet: Lady N Infinity Scoop by Lady N Tofu Cat Litter

Natural Pet: Project Green by Project Sudz Supplement Line

Project Sudz offers eco-friendly pet care products made from organic ingredients, crafted in-house on a sustainable honey-bee farm.

Pet Tech Innovation: Laundry Cycle Pro by Uproot Clean

Uproot Clean’s Laundry Cycle Pro™ is a complete laundry system tackling pet hair and odors with four solutions: a washing machine cleaner, enzyme-boosted detergent sheets, a powerful scent booster, and pet hair reducing dryer sheets.

Reptile: Creature Décor by Zoo Med

Zoo Med’s ‘Creatures’ Product Line offers decor like soil, sand, and lighting for keeping a healthy and engaging habitat for various reptiles and insects.

Small Animal: Nibbles Garden Crunch Hay Pops by A&E Cage Company LLC

The Garden Crunch Hay Pops offer nutritious snacking and promotes dental health through safe chewing for rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

Sustainable Pet: Freeze Dried Raw Regeneratively Sourced Lamb Lung by Open Farm

The Freeze-Dried Raw Regeneratively Sourced Lamb Lung Treats are a single-ingredient, protein-packed bites made from pasture-raised lamb lung.

Connecting Pet Brands with Global Opportunities

Trade shows like Global Pet Expo are opportunities for brands and products gain the visibility needed to move into new markets. For businesses, being present at events like this isn’t just about attendance, it’s about positioning. It’s about how your brand is seen and how your product is introduced to the right audience.

That’s where we come in.

Through our media and marketing services, we support companies in maximizing their presence before, during, and after events like this. From multilingual content that expands your global reach, to websites and landing pages optimized for conversion tailored for product launches or event audiences, we help ensure your brand is both visible and impactful. We also specialize in brand positioning and messaging for international audiences, helping companies communicate clearly and effectively across markets.

Our work extends into PR and media coverage, including executive interviews, alongside earned media opportunities through our platform. This ensures your product and story reach the right people, in the right context, within the industry.

If you’re looking to attend, showcase your product, or strengthen your presence at an industry event, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be glad to help you make the most of the opportunity!