The following is a press release from Hill’s Science Diet:
Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is a new line of food for dogs and cats aged seven and older to fight the effects of aging. These new products were scientifically formulated with the changing biology of aging pets in mind to best support their ongoing vitality through increased activity, family interaction and mobility.
Pet parents with older pets have built a lifetime of bonding and emotional connections. Just as with people, age can creep up slowly on pets, often going unnoticed. Despite every pet parents’ best intentions, nearly half of pet parents do not feed their pet age-appropriate food. With the introduction of Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality, pet parents can feel confident they are feeding their pets aged seven and older a food that helps get the most out of life and unlock that ageless spirit.
“As pets grow older, aging occurs inside every cell in their body and Hill’s studies these changes down to the gene level,” said Kathy Gross, Director of Clinical Nutrition at Hill’s Science Diet. “Our research shows that gene expression and activity are different in pets aged seven and older compared to their younger counterparts and this knowledge served as the foundation for the Youthful Vitality formula development.”
The Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality formula contains ingredients that provide key nutrients important for aging pets. The unique formulas have been scientifically developed for a seven and older pet’s biology and incorporate ingredients that support:
Brain Function: Powerful antioxidants for a healthy brain to support desire for family interaction
Energy and Vitality: Protein and L-carnitine support improved ability to run and play
Healthy Digestive System: High quality, easy-to-digest ingredients with great taste
Luxurious Fur/Coat: Essential fatty acids increase shininess and softness
Healthy Immune System (dogs): Vitamins C and E help bolster a strong immune system
Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality not only contains proper nutrition, but pet parents are also recognizing significant positive changes. In fact, after feeding their older pets Youthful Vitality with all of its nutritional benefits, pet parents saw improvements in their pet’s behavior and appearance. Some of the positive benefits noticed in dogs include increased vitality, frequency in attention (and affection!) seeking behaviors, improved ability to rise from rest, less stiffness and a softer and shinier coat. The positive benefits noticed in cats include increased vitality, frequency in attention seeking from family members, improved ability to run and play and softer fur with less matting.
Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality is available through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers nationwide. The dog food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food in both Original and Small & Toy breed varieties, and Chicken & Vegetables Stew in both large and small can sizes. The cat food is available in Chicken & Rice Recipe for dry food and tasty canned varieties in Chicken, Tuna and Salmon.
Animal Planet has announced these new pet-oriented TV series for the 2017-2018 season. Premiere dates are to be announced. The titles of the shows are subject to change.
“Animal House”
Antonio Ballatore and Chewie of “Animal House” (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)
“Animal House” (working title) follows “HGTV Design Star” winner Antonio Ballatore and his right-hand dog, Chewie, along with project manager Grace and a team of designers as they convert drab spaces into dream living arrangements for homeowners and their pets. Each week, Ballatore and his team meet with pet-owners looking to add custom-designed, pet-centric builds to their homes. The “Animal House” designers and builders are up to the challenge of finding creative ways of building new customized spaces for homeowners to share with their beloved pets.
“Rescue Dog to Super Dog”
Nate Schoemer and Laura London of “Rescue Dog to Super Dog” (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)
Millions of dogs live in shelters in the U.S. waiting for their forever homes. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. live with physical, mental or neurological disabilities. In Animal Planet’s new series, “Rescue Dog to Super Dog” (working title), shelter dogs are given a second chance to become a companion to someone in need. Dog trainers Nate Schoemer and Laura London work hand in paw to train dogs to improve the lives of the people they serve, proving that people may rescue dogs, but dogs rescue people, too.
“My Fat Pet”
Travis Brorsen (center) of “My Fat Pet” (Photo courtesy of Animal Planet)
Who hasn’t laughed at a shared internet video of a fat cat trying to fit through a cat door? But the unfortunate truth is that the U.S. pet overweight and obesity rate for dogs and cats is more than 50 percent, mostly the result of being overfed and not getting enough exercise. In Animal Planet’s all-new series “My Fat Pet,” animal expert and trainer Travis Brorsen works with pets and their owners through a four-month weight-loss journey. “My Fat Pet” premieres on Animal Planet in the third quarter of 2017.
UPDATE: The title of this show has been changed to “My Big Fat Pet Makeover.” The series premiere is on September 30, 2017.
“Cat Meets Dog”
What happens when nature’s worst enemies are forced to live together? Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy (“My Cat From Hell”) and dog trainer Zoe Stathis-Sandor come together to establish harmony in households with cats and dogs who don’t get along. Throughout the series, Jackson and Zoe also educate one another on their preferred species and try to convince the other who has the most pawsome pack.
UPDATE: The title of this show has now been changed to “Cat vs. Dog.” The series premiere is on November 11, 2017.
In addition, Animal Planet has announced that these pet-oriented TV shows have been renewed: “My Cat From Hell,” “Pet Nation Renovation,” “Pitbulls and Parolees,” “Puppy Bowl,” “Tanked” and “The Vet Life.”
New shows on Animal Planet that will focus on wild animals will include “Monster Rivers,” “Expedition Mungo” and “Extinct or Alive.”
The Global Pet Expo (presented by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association) was held March 22 to March 24, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Here are the winners of the trade show’s awards and other highlights of the three-day event.
New Products Showcase Winners
AQUATICS
Best In Show
Seriphos Drop Off Aquarium
Elive, LLC
Second Place Jelly Cylinder 5
Jellyfish Art LLC
Third Place Brio 35 Urban Eco Garden
Deep Water Aquatics
BIRD
Best In Show USA Happy Beaks Toys
A&E Cage Co., LLC
Second Place Bird Temp – Digital Infrared Thermometer
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.
Third Place Eco- Friendly Bird Nest
Le Sharma Trading, Inc.
BOUTIQUE
Best In Show Bake-at-Home Birthday Cake Mix for Dogs
The Lazy Dog Cookie Co., Inc.
Second Place Dodo Bird Family: Baz the Dad, Barb the Mom & Billy the Baby Dodo Birds
Merito Industries dba THINK OUTSIDE
Third Place PetCakes Frozen Yogurt Treats
PetCakes by Lucky Paws, LLC
CAT
Best In Show Catysmile Backpack Cat Carrier
Primetime Petz LLC
Second Place The Bridge
Molly and Friends Cat Furniture Company
Third Place Side Table Cat Bed
Sauder Woodworking Co.
DOG
Best In Show Qwizl
West Paw Design
Second Place PAW5 Wooly
PAW5
Third Place TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick
TropiClean Pet Products
NATURAL PET
Best In Show NO-HIDE DOG CHEWS – PORK
Earth Animal
Second Place Ruff Bone
Himalayan Corporation
Third Place CannaBoost (TM) CDB/Hemp full spectrum extract
PawFlex, Inc.
REPTILE
Best In Show Exo Terra Gecko Food
Hagen Group
Second Place Exo Terra Tall Terrarium
Hagen Group
Third Place Zilla Front Opening Terrarium
Central Garden & Pet
SMALL ANIMAL
Best In Show Kaytee Run-About Ball LED Light Rainbow 7 inch
Central Garden & Pet
Second Place Walkin’ Wheels Mini Wheelchair
Walkin’ Pets by Handicappedpets.com
Third Place Kaytee Critterhome 30 x 18 Deluxe Habitat Large
Central Garden & Pet
POINT OF PURCHASE
Best In Show Meowijuana – Retail Display Box (Large)
Meowijuana LLC
Second Place Earth Rated 2017 Collection
Earth Rated
Third Place Kaytee Crittertrail Building Station
Central Garden & Pet
Global Pet Expo Retailer Excellence Awards
Here are the winners of the Sixth Annual Global Pet Expo Retailer Excellence Awards. The award ceremony took place at the Show’s Pet Industry Breakfast on March 23, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center.
The Retailer Excellence Awards are designed to honor outstanding independent pet stores in a variety of categories. The following retailers received designated awards in each of the 10 different categories:
1. Paw’s Natural Pet Emporium of Richland, WA Best Overall Single-Store Retailer: This award recognizes a single-store retailer for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.
2. Yarn & Bone Pet Supply Co. of Camden, DE Best Overall Retailer (2 – 10 stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with less than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.
3. CountryMax Stores of Victor, NY Best Overall Retailer (10 or more stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with more than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.
4. Most Valuable Pets, Inc. of Nicholasville, KY Best Live Animal Retailer: This award recognizes a retailer that excels in sales, promotion, display and knowledge of the dedicated live-animal category.
5. Pet Pantry Warehouse of Rye, NY Best Merchandising: This award recognizes their outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services.
6. The Green K9 of Mount Dora, FL Multi-Service Excellence: This award recognizes their effective offering of a broad spectrum of services including grooming, training, boarding, etc.
7. Bark Out Loud Doggie Boutique & Café of Mansfield, TX
Best Marketing: This award honors effective execution in sales and promotional techniques to increase sales and customers including the use of advertising, public relations, social media and more.
8. Natural Pet Enrichment Center of North Royalton, OH Best Customer Service: This award recognizes an unmatched level of customer service, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, etc.
9. Pet Express of Saugus, MA Best Store Design: This award honors excellence in overall store design including merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal and more.
10. Petsway of Springfield, MO Best Community Service: This honor recognizes fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to the community.
Entries were judged by a committee consisting of Global Pet Expo and Pet Business Media staff members.
New Product Launches
Here are a few of the new products that launched at the 2017 Global Pet Expo.
The following information are excerpts from press releases:
(Photo courtesy of Le Petit Treat)
Le Cordon Bleu trained chef Gigi Samandari, the founder of Le Petit Treat, announced the release of new premium dog biscuits that are inspired by the flavors of France and use all-natural, non-allergenic, grain-free ingredients which are 100 percent made in the USA. The treats are made in small batches, using only grain-free, premium food-grade ingredients. The flavors are inspired by classic French dishes like Quiche Lorraine and Coq au Vin with new packaging that has a sophisticated yet vintage look.
Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet (Photo courtesy of Merrick Pet Care)
Merrick Pet Care is expanding its partnership with K9s For Warriors with the launch of Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes, a new lineup of natural dog food & treats to raise awareness for K9s For Warriors’ work pairing service dogs with military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disability (PTSD).
Introduced at Global Pet Expo, the world’s largest pet food trade show, the new Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes build on Merrick’s million dollar partnership by giving pet parents a way to support K9s For Warriors while feeding a nutritious, ancestral canine diet to their dogs. Beyond the new recipes, Merrick provides all the food and treats for K9s for Warriors and has since 2015. Last year, Merrick also committed $250,000 to complete clinical research showing the effective role service dogs play in the treatment of PTSD among American military veterans.
Three new Hero’s Banquet recipes will be part of Merrick’s Backcountry line, which was introduced in 2015 and continues to be the fastest-growing ancestral canine diet in pet specialty. The Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet recipes include a protein-packed kibble infused with freeze-dried raw meat; a complementary wet food; and a meaty soft & chewy dog treat. Recipes are making their ways to stores this spring. In a special K9s For Warriors promotion this July, Merrick will make a donation to K9s For Warriors for every Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet item sold.
Wellness CORE RawRev (Photo courtesy of Wellness Natural Pet Food)
Wellness Natural Pet Foodunveiled its first line of grain-free, raw meals and treats for dogs, Wellness® CORE RawRev and Wellness CORE 100% Freeze-Dried Treats for dogs, marking the brand’s first foray into the quickly-growing category of raw nutrition for pets. Wellness CORE RawRev combines high-protein, grain-free kibble with 100 percent pure bites of freeze-dried meat for a delicious topper, snack or complete and balanced meal. Wellness CORE 100% Freeze Dried Treats are made with just a single raw ingredient to deliver high protein with delicious flavor. At just two calories per treat, they are grain, gluten and filler free. Wellness CORE RawRev is available in three delicious flavors for dogs: Turkey, Lamb and Turkey Small Breed recipes,. Wellness CORE 100% Freeze-Dried Treats are available in four meaty flavors for dogs: Boar, Salmon, Turkey and Beef.
In addition, Wellness Natural Pet Food introduced 28 new and improved Wellness Complete Health recipes, giving cat parents more grain-free options to choose from in a variety of flavors, forms and textures. From smooth pates to fresh cuts of savory protein in rich gravies, the new recipes offer tantalizing flavors and textures, in complete and balanced meals for cats—without grains or fillers. By taking out the grains, cats are able to enjoy more protein-packed meals filled with nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and botanicals that keep them feeling satisfied and healthy, meal after meal and year after year.
Wellness Complete Health Gravies (Photo courtesy of Wellness Natural Pet Food)
The new recipes include Wellness Complete Health Gravies, which feature delectable bits of high quality meats in ample gravy without fillers. Available in delicious flavors such as tuna, chicken or salmon, Gravies provide tasty nutrition with plenty of hydration your cats will love. Wellness also ensured cats have a crunchy, grain-free option by introducing new Wellness Complete Heath Grain-Free dry food for cats, available in three flavors for cats: Deboned Chicken (Kitten), Salmon & Whitefish Meal (Indoor) and Deboned Chicken (Adult) recipes.
Existing Wellness Complete Health wet cat recipes have also been enhanced, featuring new and improved packaging, lower pricing and are now Carrageenan free.
Here are Packaged Facts’ 10 key pet product trends:
National pride is worth the price: While frequently associated with pet food and treats, “Made in the U.S.A.” also carries huge appeal in the durable petcare products market, especially in the collars, harnesses, and leashes category. Several companies offer products made in the U.S., including Coastal Pet Products, 2 Hounds Design, Up Country, Lupine and Wolfgang USA. All of Cycle Dog’s products are made in the U.S.A. as well, and its new Stars & Stripes collar, leash and other accessories take patriotism to a new level.
“Functional” a sought-after buzz word when purchasing pet beds: Features including easy to clean, durable and comfortable are now more or less de rigueur in the pet bedding market, so products focusing on function now typically offer additional appeals. In particular, specialty beds with comfort features can reduce pain while the animal attempts to fall asleep, helping the pet sleep better and reducing discomfort throughout the day. For example, memory foam and gel mattresses have become a mainstay in orthopedic beds for humans, so it should come as little surprise that similar products have carved out a solid niche in the pet market, especially for senior dogs.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95sjtXIISU8&t=121s
Designer brand apparel for cats: In general, most pet apparel is geared towards dogs, which tend to be a lot more amenable to getting dressed up. Taking humanization to the extreme, one of the biggest ways cats have been impacting apparel markets is via human clothing. High-end designers such as Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson have incorporated cats into their recent collections.
Bowl designed to improve digestion, reduce neck strain: Many of the new, innovative designs in the bowl, feeder and waterer market tackle specific problems that pet owners have with their current feeding options. This includes products designed to reduce pets’ neck strain, improve digestion and maximize comfort and convenience while adding a sleek and stylish look to pet owners’ homes.
Fashionable pet carriers are in fashion: The importance of fashion and style cannot be overestimated since many pet owners seek out carriers that serve as a fashion accessory. Available in a vast range of materials, colors, styles, and patterns—with trims ranging from fine leather and faux fur to rhinestones and silver findings—pet carriers that look more like handbags also allow owners to sneak their pets into places that may not be dog-friendly. Accordingly, designer purse-type pet carriers, like those offered by Michael Kors and Chanel, are popular, with many manufacturers operating more like fashion designers As a result, many companies that started out with more basic models have been trending up to better compete with the growing ranks of marketers that focus exclusively on fashion-forward options.
Pet collar marketers capitalize on the “maximum visibility = safety” formula: For most pet owners, safety is a given when it comes to collars, leashes and harnesses, but marketers of these products continue to find ways to make these products even safer for both pets and humans. Coastal Pet Products, for example, recently updated the design of its Lazer Brite collars for maximized reflectivity, making the collar visible at up to 600 feet.
Pet feeders getting “Smarter”: The recent proliferation of high-tech products in the feeding and watering category may leave some pet owners overwhelmed with the array of choices. “Smart” feeders and waterers allow pet owners to set feeding schedules, control portion sizes, and even customize feedings for multiple pets. As a result, pet owners’ involvement in the feeding process is no longer tied to the bowl itself; in fact, with some of the new technology-based feeders, everything can be controlled remotely via a smart phone.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU17RFypUn8
Customers favor customization, personalization: Pet owners enjoy products they can adapt to their own specific needs, including those they can personalize via appearance or function. German-made flexi offers a wide variety of flexible leashes that allow owners to do both, ranging from functional to luxurious. Its Comfort line offers the option to customize the leash with the company’s Multi Box or LED Lighting System options, attached via a fastener system, giving owners the ability to carry extra snacks and waste bags or light the way when it gets dark out.
Tiny pooches and cuddly kitties spurring pet stroller sales: More and more, owners of small dogs and cats want their pets to be able to enjoy the great outdoors as much as their larger canine counterparts, driving up interest in pet strollers. Strollers offer a safe way to experience new outdoor environments and provide stimulation. One marketer cashing in on this trend is Pet Gear, with its new Jogger No-Zip Stroller designed for runners or joggers with a large three-wheel design.
Whisker-friendly designs: Cats are notoriously finicky when it comes to food, and this behavior can extend to their food bowls as well. A common problem: many cats don’t like their whiskers touching the sides of their bowls when eating. New products include bowls with slightly curved designs that allow gravity to focus the food in the center of the bowl rather than being pushed to the sides while feeding. Other bowls are made with materials such as plant fibers to provide cats with mottled mate textures instead of the extra shiny or gloss surfaces believed to be unfavorable to most cats.
The 2017 Global Pet Expo will take place March 22 to March 24, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event is presented by the American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association. According to Global Pet Expo press release, the 2017 Show will feature 1,130 exhibitors (27 percent of which are international companies), 3,435 booths and 223 first-time exhibiting companies. With more than 3,000 new product launches, Global Pet Expo will showcase the latest products available for all types of pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, small animals and horses. The show has also grown in recent years with added special sections including the “International Pavilions,” “Natural Pet,” “Boutique,” “Everything Aquatic,” and “What’s New!” Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified media and professionals.
One of the more high-profile product launches at 2017’s Global Pet Expo is from Bissell, which is known for is cleaning solutions and floor care. BarkBath, which is the Bissell’s first dog-washing system and the company’s first portable bath system. According to a Bissell press release, the Bissell BarkBath allows pet parents to bathe their pet with virtually no mess—eliminating the inevitable clean-up that comes along with washing a four-legged family member. This all-in-one system can be used in any room of the house, anytime, with a minimal mess. The BarkBath works with any length of fur or hair and uses a no-rinse shampoo. Specially designed nozzles get beneath the fur and down to the skin to allow water and shampoo to wash the skin clean, while a soft suction pulls dirt and water away into a separate dirty water tank.
BarkBath uses less than 48 ounces of water to clean pets up to 80 pounds, compared to traditional bathing in a tub, which can use up to 19 gallons of water. The entire BarkBath system comes complete with no-rinse shampoo designed specifically for the BarkBath, a microfiber mat for the machine, a microfiber drying towel for faces and paws, and a storage bag to give pets a full grooming experience at home. Live demos of the BarkBath will take place at the Bisell booth at the Global Pet Expo. In addition, Dr. Marty Becker will be hosting a book signing copies of his new book “From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog From Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias” at the Bissell booth from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 23.
Petmate, a leading company for pet products, also revealed in a press release what new items it will be showcasing at the event:
Calmz Petmate debuts Calmz Anxiety Relief System for dogs combining high-tech innovation with acupressure in a revolutionary new non-invasive, drug-free treatment that soothes common anxiety that often arises as a result of thunderstorms, fireworks, encounters with strangers, travel, separation, and loud noises.
This innovative system features an adjustable Comfort Fit Vest that holds the Calmz device over specific acupressure points on your dog’s spine. When the device is activated, the clinically proven NeuroSync Technology takes over. NeuroSync Technology combines a therapeutic medley of classical music and a specially calibrated tone to create a vibration. This multi-faceted approach eases anxiety in a completely new way.
The system employs vestibular (audible) and peripheral sensory (tactile) stimulations to achieve test-proven anxiety relief in dogs
Vestibular stimulation is the result of a low-frequency C-note tone that is blended with a modified version of the classical piece, Beethoven’s Für Elise
Peripheral sensory stimulation comes from the massaging sensation generated from the device when placed on acupressure calming points along the spine
Cat Play Petmate continues to expand its award-winning cat product line developed with renowned cat behavior expert and animal advocate Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell.” The Jackson Galaxy Collection by Petmate features captivating play products and expands into new categories including feeding and watering, litter, carriers, bedding and more. Each product speaks to natural cat behaviors – Hunt, Catch, Kill, Eat, Groom and Sleep. Highlighting this year’s collection:
The Butterfly in a Ball creates the ultimate in satisfying hunt play with its sensor-activated action that sets the butterfly fluttering within the ball when it is pushed by a stalking cat.
The Whisker-Stress Prevention Bowl and Less-Mess Bowl feature a unique concave design to help relieve whisker stress during meals and a smooth stainless steel surface to prevent cats from developing chin acne.
Brandon McMillan Training Products Petmate has teamed up with celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan, host of the Emmy-award winning Lucky Dog show on CBS TV, to debut a new line of dog training products featured in his new book, Lucky Dog Lessons.
Shake & Break is a training tool to help stop unwanted pet behavior. The noise made by shaking the tool breaks the dog’s focus and stops bad behavior in its tracks.
The new Lure Stick, is a treat reward training tool, designed to encourage dogs to heel, keep them from pulling on the leash and redirects their attention; it literally lures the dog back to the pet parent.
Dog Toys Petmate expands its popular Chuckit! toy line, offering More Ways to Play®outdoors:
Chuckit! Breathe Right® Fetch Ball is a high performance ball designed to facilitate breathing and airflow into dogs’ lungs while running and fetching and is compatible with all Chuckit! Launchers.
Always a favorite for play time, the JW Collection, known for its durability and multifunction action, expands with new dog toys that are designed with intelligent ideas and patented manufacturing. This year’s collection features an extra element of fun with mixed materials and a new take on the popular Hol-ee® toys:
Inspired by the best-selling Hol-ee Roller, the Hol-ee Gourmet line offers a variety of 2 in 1 treat toys that encourage dogs to play. Fill the rubber outer shell with harder larger treats and the inner nylon bone with soft spreadable treats. These fun toys are featured in the shapes of a peanut, turkey leg and steak.
K-9 Control Retractable Leash Petmate redefines the functionality of retractable leashes for more control and safety with the first-ever leash that can be retracted in the lock mode. This new technology represents the first functional change in retractable leashes since their introduction in 1971.
The K-9 Control Retractable Leash features the new patented Zero Slack Technology™ that keeps the leash taut while locked or in the temporary brake position. This gentle tension provides control and keeps the dog from moving forward. The owner can safely pull back the dog without worrying about excess slack.
Feeding Petmate puts a new twist on healthy eating with the new Diggin’ Diner 2 Cup Feeder.
This unique feeder is designed to slow pet’s intake of food with a strategic opening that allows dry food to fall out at a healthy pace while encouraging physical and mental stimulation.
Finally, Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Pet, Home & Garden will have interactive elements to the portfolio of products the company will showcase at the event. The Aquatics division will be represented by Tetra brand, Marineland and Instant Ocean. Its Companion Animal division will be represented by Nature’s Miracle, Healthy Hide, Pro·Sense, LitterMaid, Dingo, FURminator, Perfect Coat, Wild Harvest and eCOTRITION. Here are more details from a press release:
Innovating the Aquatic Experience
To whet the appetite for innovations in aquatics, the Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Pet, Home & Garden booth will feature engaging videos showing the latest technologies and aquatic mobile apps, introduce new products and marketing tools to support the retailers and showcase a recent scientific breakthrough through the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (UFTAL).
Celebrating Heritage, Innovating the Future of Fishkeeping Tetra and Marineland are celebrating years of aquatics industry heritage at our booth with a timeline showcasing how we have innovated and evolved. While we are rooted in history, the future of fishkeeping is a focus as well. Tetra and GloFish brands will showcase new programs designed to introduce potential hobbyists of all ages to fishkeeping with educational content, new GloFish® characters and Macaroni Kid events.
Experiencing a GloFish Gallery Pet retailers can Experience the Glo in a darkened room dedicated to GloFish Fluorescent Fish, offering a very unique aquatic experience. A live aquarium will be filled with brilliantly-colored tetras, barbs and danios and the latest GloFish line décor and accessories. Under the new GloFish Cycle Light, visitors will watch the environment transform before their eyes. The GloFish Color-Changing Background, Plants and Ornaments change colors as the lighting rotates through a cycle of blue LED, black LED and white light.
Innovating Aquatics with Tetra Brand My Aquarium App The video for Tetra brand My Aquarium App will show the latest innovations that aquatic retailers can offer customers to keep them organized and makes maintenance simpler so they have more time on their hands to enjoy their fish. To demonstrate the My Aquarium App experience, a station of tablets will be available to show its features including instant recommendations as well as custom notifications for food dispensing, water changes, water testing, filtration, etc. Additionally, visitors can watch the YouTube video campaign, featuring The Bergmans, a big and busy family who uses the My Aquarium App to make aquarium maintenance easier and have fishkeeping expertise at their fingertips to maintain their beautiful, healthy aquarium.
Instant Ocean Features UFTAL’s breakthrough culturing First Pacific Blue Tang in captivity Instant Ocean® will feature presentations from members of the team of scientists from the University of Florida’sTropical Aquaculture Laboratory (UFTAL) who were the first to breed Pacific Blue Tangs (Paracanthurus hepatus) in captivity in an aquatic environment using Instant Ocean®. Assistant Professor Dr. Matthew DiMaggio and Assistant Extension Scientist Eric Cassiano will present from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 22 and March 23, 2017, which will also be streamed live on Facebook. They will share their perspectives on this historic achievement. Attendees will have direct access to ask questions, see photos and footage, and learn insights on how captive propagation could affect commercial production protocols and conservation efforts in the future.
Improving the Pet Owner Experience
Because dogs, cats, birds, and small animals are all big parts of the personal and professional lives of Global Pet Expo attendees, the Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Pet, Home & Garden booth will also host attractive, interactive displays that introduce new Companion Animal packaging and formulations. The theme of the Companion Animal displays is interaction, so the booth will have sensory stations for our Nature’s Miracle, LitterMaid, Pro·Sense, Healthy Hide and Digest-eeze brands.
Promoting a Balance Between Pet Parenting and Home Ownership To continue its “Trust the Miracle” campaign, Nature’s Miracle® will demonstrate how “Pet Parents Can Have Nice Things.” The beautiful white lounge of the Nature’s Miracle® area announces new formulas for long-term odor elimination, as well as new delivery systems for cleaning carpet. As a long-standing cornerstone product, Nature’s Miracle® will proudly debut its new packaging to give visitors a glimpse at the evolving design of the brand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyPF82HCr8I
Catering to Cat Lovers Because every cat has different litter box needs, LitterMaid and Nature’s Miracle are highlighting the range of litter products available for consumers to deal with the toughest litter box odors. The area also details the ways pet retailers can educate their consumers on proper usage of litter.
Treating Dogs Right Healthy Hide and Digest-eeze have teamed up to bring pet retailers up close and personal with their lines of gourmet dog treats. This area focuses on digestive health and lists each product’s number of ingredients, recommended age for feeding, chew time, digestibility and added benefits. Under this display, visitors will be able to examine and interact with each line’s products and packaging.
Providing Affordable Care Products for Pets Expanding on the interaction theme of Companion Animal, Pro·Sense is bringing its dental, itch and joint health solutions out for display. Visitors will get to check out a video and the new look of each product. This area promotes the idea that pet owners can use Pro·Sense products to care for their pets the same way they take care of themselves.
Solving the Pet Hair Problem Education is the most important part in the fight against pet hair. That’s why the FURminator area details the grooming tasks pet parents should perform daily, weekly and monthly. Each activity is tied to FURminator products, so visitors will know the proper grooming regimen and solutions to recommend to consumers. To help pet retailers understand FURminator consumers even better, this area profiles the “FURminator ProSumer,” the individual most likely to seek out pet grooming products and education.
Making Pets Jump for Joy The lively Dingo display wastes no time showing why the right assortment and selection of rawhide dog bones, dog chews and dog treats can increase sales. This area shows off the new look of Dingo packaging for its flavored/standard rawhide, rawhide alternative, benefit added, and its soft, chewy and crunchy varieties. Visitors will also learn consumer statistics they can use to strategize their store’s product offerings.
The Better with Pets at Purina Farms (Photo courtesy of Purina Farms)
Purina Farms Visitor Center in Gray Summit, Missouri, is re-opening for the 2017 season on March 18. The center is located about 40 miles west of downtown St. Louis. Here is more information from a Purina press release:
New for the 2017 season is a fresh paint job at the Visitor Center to incorporate Purina’s iconic Checkerboard red, along with a new main entrance.
The Purina Farms Visitor Center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday in the spring and fall (Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and includes the following guest offerings:
Interactive Better with Pets exhibit, where pet lovers of all ages can celebrate the powerful relationship people and pets share and learn about responsible pet care. Guests can help trigger a donation to the Petfinder Foundation in support of homeless pets* simply by turning in the pet I.D. card they receive at the beginning of the experience. The Petfinder Foundation provides grants to shelters and rescue groups around the U.S. to help them in their life-saving work to place homeless pets in loving homes. Learn more about all the exhibit has to offer here.
Incredible Dog Arena, where the Purina® Pro Plan® Performance Team dogs demonstrate their amazing skills in flying disc, diving dog and agility during three shows daily
(Photo courtesy of Purina Farms)
Pet Center, which features a 20-foot, multi-level home for cats and an opportunity to meet the dogs who perform in our shows
Barn and play area, which houses domestic farm animals and also features rope swings, tunnels and pedal tractors.
There’s also a theatre, a concession area, gift shop, and information center.
In addition to daily activities at the Visitor Center, Purina Farms hosts events year-round, including the popular Springtime Village March 29-April 15. Purina Farms also hosts some of the most prestigious dog and cat shows in the country at the Purina Event Center, including national all-breed dog shows like the Dalmatian Club of America, Poodle Club of America and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.
Purina Pro Plan has launched New Prime Plus Adult 7+ to help cats ages 7 and older live long and healthy lives. Here is an excerpt from a Purina press release with more details:
Backed by a pioneering nine-year study, the nutrient blend, found in the new Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Adult 7+, was shown to improve and extend the life of cats seven and older. Findings were based on cats exclusively fed a complete diet with the proprietary blend vs. cats fed the complete and balanced diet alone. Prime Plus Adult 7+ is another life-changing innovation in the Pro Plan healthy aging product portfolio, alongside the breakthrough Bright Mind Adult 7+ formulas that support brain health in senior dogs.
To help introduce Prime Plus Adult 7+ and educate pet owners about the importance of healthy aging in their pets and the role nutrition can play, Purina Pro Plan is partnering with pet aging expert and co-founder of the University of Washington’s Dog Aging Project, Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D. Dr. Kaeberlein’s groundbreaking research has led to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of aging in pets, and how science and preventative care can be used to intervene in the aging process.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) has announced the 10 most popular cat breeds in the U.S. for 2016. For the third year in a row, the exotic was No. 1. CFA compiles the list based on its cat registry.
The same cat breeds that were in the Top 10 in 2015 were in the Top 10 in 2016, except the Orienta dropped out of the Top 10 spot and was replaced at No. 10 by the Devon Rex, which jumped from the No. 11 spot that it held the previous year. Other breeds that made the Top 10 in 2016 with a higher ranking than the previous year are the Ragdoll, which jumped from No. 4 to No. 2 ; the British shorthair, which went from No. 5 to No. 3; and the Sphync, which rose from No. 10 to No.. 8. Three breeds in the Top 10 had a lower ranking in 2016 compared to the previous year: the Persian dropped from No. 2 to No. 4; the Maine Coone fell from No. 3 to No. 5; and the Abyssinian went from No. 8 to No. 9.
Here are CFA’s Top 10 cat breeds in the U.S. for 2016:
Beth Stern and John Sterling (Photo by Marc Lemoine/Crown Media United States, LLC)
“Kitten Bowl” is an annual feline “catstravaganza” that airs on Super Bowl Sunday and is presented in association with North Shore Animal League America (the nation’s largest no-kill shelter and animal adoption organization) and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation. Hosted by Beth Stern, a TV personality and national spokesperson for North Shore Animal League America, “Kitten Bowl” is a star-studded lineup that includes legendary New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling and referee Chuck Nice. Hallmark Channel aired the fourth annual “Kitten Bowl” in the U.S. on February 5, 2017. Here are videos and photos from the event.
(All photos by Marc Lemoine/Crown Media United States, LLC)
People who love cats are invited to attend the inaugural Cat Camp, a fan convention/adoption event which takes place March 11 and March 12, 2017, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The event is co-founded by Christina Ha, owner of Meow Parlour, New York’s City first cat cafe, which opened in 2014.
The event will feature cat adoptions, panel discussions, meet-and-greets and vendors selling cat-related items, merchandise and services. The Petco Foundation is the presenting sponsor.
Cat expert Jackson Galaxy, the host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat From Hell,” will be the keynote speaker and will do a meet-and-greet. Celebrity cat Lil Bub and her owner Mike Bridavsky will also be in attendance. Guest speakers/panelists are well-known cat enthusiasts involved in cat rescuing, spaying/neutering and adoptions, including:
Hannah Shaw, also known as The Kitten Lady, a Washington, D.C.-based kitten rescuer/foster parent who has become a star on social media
Kate Benjamin, founder of Hauspanther, an online magazine for cat-oriented designs
Adam Myatt, founder of the CatTown in Oakland, California, the first permanent cat cafe in the United States
Dr. Jennifer Conrad of The Paw Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to banning feline declawing and educating the public about the dangers of declawing.
Although this is an event for cat enthusiasts, the only cats allowed at the event are those that have been pre-approved for adoptions or guest appearances. In other words, people have to leave their pet cats at home (for legal and health reasons, obviously), and this policy will be strictly enforced, say event organizers.
