Unlike the hoards of excited spring breakers and wide-eyed children anticipating their visit with Mickey Mouse, we arrived in Orlando for a different kind of fun: The Global Pet Expo. With almost 70 rows of vendors, this was definitely one of the biggest shows we've ever attended.
Dogs ruled the roost as this was a very canine-centric showcase. There were several cats, birds, reptiles, some rabbits, and even a couple of chickens, but the star of the show was definitely the dog. We estimate that 70% of the expo focused on dogs, about 20% on cat, and the remaining 10% on other pets.
A few of our favorite displays included the Aquatic Lounge - a fish-filled section of brightly colored aquariums, and La-Z-Boy's collection of fancy pet furniture (shown below). Why should Fido settle for a typical little dog bed when he get his very own couch with coordinating bone pillow?
Cannabis pet products
One of the most interesting recurring themes of the expo was the proliferation of CBD oil for dogs and cats, as well as Canine Cannabis. CBD and cannabis pet products claim to provide many benefits for your furry friend including healthy digestion, joint flexibility and mobility, immune system support, neurological system support, treatment for seizures, arthritis, anxiety and cancer, and comfort during "end of life". Many veterinarians are finding that just like with humans, cannabis can provide many of the same medicinal benefits for your pets.
"Human Grade" pet food
We also noticed many claims of "Human Grade" on all manner of pet food and treats. If you do your research, most of those claims are technically false. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, "There have been “human-grade” claims on some pet foods for a few years. This term has no definition in any animal feed regulations. Extremely few pet food products could be considered officially human edible or human-grade. While pet owners can buy what they feel is best for their pet, they should understand the definitions and the odds." Learn more
Also, not all food that's considered edible to humans is necessarily safe for your pets. You probably like garlic and onions in your food but did you know that it can be toxic to your cat? And those grapes and raisins that you enjoy can cause kidney failure in your dog? Know what foods to avoid feeding your pets
Our friends from peaksNpaws
Another highlight of our trip to the Global Pet Expo was seeing our good friends from peaksNpaws! They were there showcasing their all-natural dog treats and super fun selection of dog toys. Check out peaksNpaws products here!
Carry-on tortoise, anyone?
Last but not least (but certainly odd!), the strangest thing we witnessed at the Global Pet Expo was a raffle to win a giant tortoise. Yes, you read that right. Unless they're local, we're perplexed as to how the winner will get their giant, shelled friend home. We've all seen adults traveling with a baby or dog on their lap, but a giant tortoise?
Were you there?
Were you at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando? What was your favorite part? Were you a vendor or an attendee? What other product expos have you attended or are you planning to attend? Do you need help selling your product on Amazon? The experts at Ripcord Brands can help! Email us: inquiries@ripcordbrands.com or give us a call: (303) 536-5505.