6 Pet Trends and Discoveries from Canadian Pet Expo 2023

Earlier this month (April 7-9), I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Pet Expo. Marketed as “Canada’s largest indoor family pet festival,” this show provided an opportunity for business owners in the pet space and loving pet parents to come together and celebrate the animals that hold such a special place in our hearts.

While there is no denying that my husband and I had a lot of fun while attending the event, pet shows and festivals like this are also great opportunities to see what is happening in the pet industry.

Last year I shared the trends I discovered while attending SuperZoo 2022 in Las Vegas. But there was one important difference for me when attending CPE – the focus on Canadian small businesses! After all, I am a Canadian-based pet parent myself!

Here are the pet trends and discoveries I found while walking the show floor.

Unwavering Support for Rescue

The first thing that caught my attention about CPE was the number of incredible rescue organizations in attendance.

A show like this is an incredible opportunity for rescues to share their work, connect with potential future adopters, and raise much-needed funds to cover their ongoing expenses. Not only did CPE welcome these organizations with open arms, but they also established a dedicated space on the show floor for rescues and clubs.

This spoke directly to my heart as a rescue blogger and lifetime rescue volunteer/advocate.

Here are a few of the rescues and rescue-focused charitable organizations that we saw, including organizations we knew well and some that we hadn’t heard of previously:

• Miss Dixie’s Foundation
• Lost Boys Hope
• Canadian Dachshund Rescue
• Canadian Chihuahua Rescue and Transport
• No Dogs Left Behind
• R&R Rescue & Resort
• Last Minute Dog Rescue
• R.E.B.E.L. Dog Rescue
• Taffy’s Legacy Canine Rescue & Rehabilitation

Limited Ingredient Treats and Foods

There has been a growing awareness in the pet space about pet food allergies. This has inspired many brands to explore limited-ingredient and single-ingredient options.

Not only do these products make it easier to manage the diet of pets with food allergies, but they are also a healthier option for our pets. Limited ingredient treats and foods are free from preservatives, fillers, and other ingredients that may concern pet parents.  

For those focused on training with their new rescue dog or cat, freeze-dried treats are a great option. They are low calorie and high flavour, making them an excellent motivator.

Human-Like Treats

In addition to the more traditional pet treats, another trend was very prevalent at the CPE. Several companies were marketing treats designed to look more like a human cookie (or donuts, at one booth).

These boutique-style treats have been around for several years, but I’ve noticed they are becoming much more prevalent as of late. Plus, with more brands exploring this style of treat, there are inevitably brands pushing the boundaries of creativity and introducing new, fun, and innovative designs.

We were taking notes of the different options we saw. After all, we have a long-standing tradition in our house of celebrating birthdays with these picture-perfect treats!

Pet-Friendly Lifestyle

As we move from pets being seen as property, something we have ownership over, to be beloved members of the family, there has also been a rise in products to support a pet-friendly lifestyle.

These products focus on making it easier to include your pet in each aspect of your home and life, including pet furniture to match your décor, treat bags and leashes to walk your pet in style, and cleaning products to make it easier to keep your pet-friendly home fresh and clean.

Additionally, many products were being shared that were specifically for pet parents, like shirts and mugs showing off their love of pets.

“Natural” Solutions

There has been a growing interest in green or all-natural solutions in many areas of our lives, including cleaning products, healthcare, cosmetics, and pet care.

This trend was very evident at CPE.

Several different products were introduced that would solve our pet-related challenges without the need for chemicals. Some exciting options we discovered included:

• an ultra-sonic tick-repellent device that your pet can wear on their collar
• birds of prey being used to address pest control
• natural antibacterial MicroSilver first aid spray and wound gel

While I don’t believe in or support the idea of using natural alternatives as a substitute for proper veterinary care, I do love the growing list of options we can incorporate alongside routine care to improve the lives of our pets!

Outdoor Travel Gear

If you have been following the Shed Happens social media accounts for any length of time, you likely already know that we are huge outdoor travel fans.

In fact, my husband John and I have created a second blog (and YouTube channel) called The Kas Pack, which is focused entirely on pet-friendly outdoor travel. So, when we noticed that several brands were sharing outdoor gear for pets, we were beyond excited to check them all out.

One product that we found really interesting was the 3-Season Heated Coat from Dogora. The fleece-lined coat features a removable heating panel to keep your dog warm in even the coldest temperatures.

We also saw life jackets, hands-free running leashes, cooling beds and vests, collar lights for safe time travel, doggy seatbelts, and travel water dishes. With all these products available, it’s easier than ever to include your pets in your outdoor adventures, and we love it!  

Have you seen these trends in your local pet stores and boutiques? What other trends do you see in the pet industry?