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Introduction
When global buyers walked the halls of the Canton Fair in Guangzhou’s Pazhou convention centre, the pet-supplies stands were not just busy – they were telling the story of the next chapter in the pet industry. For the professional pet-trade audience, including retailers, wholesalers, importers and brand developers, these product trends signal where demand is shifting, what innovations are winning, and how the global pet-supplies sector is evolving. At PETIN.AI, we serve the pet industry professionals — For The PET Pros — delivering comprehensive insights, news and trend intelligence for the pet supplies universe.
In this article we highlight the top 10 product-category trends from the Canton Fair with commentary on what they mean for the pet goods supply chain, market positioning and export sourcing. These trends combine product innovation, demand-side signals and export-market logic. Keywords such as pet supplies, pet supplies industry trends, new product hot picks are woven throughout to optimise for Google, Bing and Yahoo indexing.
Global Pet Supplies Market Snapshot
According to official communications around the Canton Fair, the dedicated pet-products zone marked its eleventh year in 2025. The pet accessories market alone was valued at USD 23.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 49.6 billion by 2034, equating to a ~7.9% annual‐growth rate. For pet‐industry professionals this underscores two key imperatives: first, demand shows no sign of weakening; second, innovation and differentiation are becoming the bedrock of competitive advantage.
Top 10 Trends at Canton Fair for the Pet Supplies Industry
1. Smart Water Dispensers & Auto Feeders – Technology as a Must-Have
At this year’s fair the smart water-fountain and automatic feeder stands were among the most crowded. Features like timed feeding, remote App control, water-level alerts, multi-pet recognition and silent operation now appear as baseline specifications.
Export insight: In mature markets (North America, Europe, Japan) smart feeding solutions have moved from novelty to “just table stakes”. Buyers are less focused on “first-to-market” and more on reliability, certifications (UL, CE), firmware/app stability and after-sales support. This emphasises that pet-product manufacturers must deliver not only smart features but robust manufacturing and service frameworks.
2. Multi-functional Cat Trees & Modular Cat Houses – Space- and Lifestyle-Led Design
The traditional cat tree has been overhauled. Today’s models emphasise modular assembly, vertical space utilisation, integrated scratching surfaces, lounging zones, hideouts and aesthetic finishes that blend into modern home decor.
Export insight: With urban living spaces shrinking (especially in Europe/North America) the pet-trade professional must favour cat-furniture adapted for compact homes, ease of installation, structural stability and eco-friendly material certifications (e.g., E0/E1 board, non-toxic coatings). Shipping/packaging efficiency also became a buying criterion on the show floor.
3. Eco-friendly & Biodegradable Pet Toys – From Concept to Mainstream
A noticeable surge in toys made from corn-starch plastics, TPR rubber hybrids, recycled fishing-nets and natural cotton/linen was evident. Some designs integrate interactive features such as catnip or matatabi (silver vine) inserts.
Export insight: Especially in the EU and Scandinavian markets, sustainability is no longer optional. Buyers now ask for credible degradation data, certifications (such as EN 13432) and clear supply-chain documentation. Durability still matters but many buyers accept a slight trade-off in lifespan in favour of greener credentials.
4. Pet Travel & Mobility Gear – Safety, Comfort & Style
From lightweight airline-approved hard-cages to expandable soft carriers with breathable mesh, pet strollers with suspension and large-capacity folding bowls — the travel category is booming.
Export insight: The easing of global pet-travel restrictions is driving demand. Key procurement criteria: IATA-flight-compliance, structural strength tests, easy-clean fabrics, low odour, trendy design (colours/patterns) to appeal to younger pet owners. Freight cost matters, so lightweight design is a plus.
5. High-end Auto Litter Boxes – Hands-Free Comfort for Multi-cat Homes
Automatic litter boxes reached a level of sophistication where capacity (for large cats), ultra-silent motor, multi-pet recognition, deodorisation modules (charcoal/UV), and mobile-App monitoring are on most buyers’ checklists.
Export insight: This is a high-barrier category. Buyers evaluate failure-rate statistics, overseas warranty logistics, app‐ecosystem maturity and power-adapter compatibility. For suppliers this means the product must align with mature consumer expectations and service expectations.
6. Pet Grooming & Cleaning Tools – Precision Meets Convenience
Professional-grade grooming equipment (low-noise dryers, temperature-controlled bathtubs, deep-clean massage brushes) and home-focused tools (one-click de-hairing brushes, quiet multi-speed clippers, pet nail-grinders) were prominent.
Export insight: For salon-channel professionals the performance and durability drive purchase decisions. For smaller retailers targeting end-users, ease-of-use and safety dominate. Electrical safety compliance (CE, FCC, PSE) is essential for export markets. Clean-ingredient grooming products also featured in this segment.
7. Functional Pet Apparel & Accessories – Utility over Fashion
Unlike the decorative apparel boom of earlier years, recent designs focus on function: cooling vests (contact-cool fabrics), lightweight down/ fleece jackets, insect-repellent dog coats, waterproof raincoats, reflective safety harnesses and leashes.
Export insight: Climate/scenario specificity dictates demand — e.g., mosquito-repellent coats for tropical zones, insulating gear for northern Europe. Procurement trends emphasise lab-tested functional claims (cooling coefficient, insect-repellent efficiency), consistent size systems for different breeds, and safety standards (reflective materials to EN 13356).
8. Pet Health & Wellness Accessories – Preventive Care Becomes Routine
A surge in non-drug health-adjacent products: smart pet scales (connected to apps), portable water-quality testers, precise pet-medication dispensers, wound-care pads, calming collars/sprays (natural ingredients), and specialised cleaning wipes (ears, mouth, eyes).
Export insight: Consumers and professionals are increasingly proactive about pet health. Buyers expect clear ingredient disclosure, usage instructions, safety certifications and design ergonomics (e.g., easy-to-use med-dispensers). Wellness accessories are attractive volume items for pet-store shelves.
9. Interactive Robotic & Electric Toys – Solving Separation Anxiety
Robotic toys that mimic prey-motion (darting mice, rolling balls, feather wands) with smart sensors (auto-start when pet is near), remote-App control, multiple modes and bite‐resistant shells drew strong interest.
Export insight: With more single-pet households and pet-owners working remotely, “alone-time” solutions are trending. Procurement filters: battery safety (anti-chew guard), motor noise, durability, app UX. These toys command mid-to-premium pricing and are positioned for pet-owner gifting occasions.
10. Customised ID & Personalised Pet Products – Emotion Meets Utility
Custom engraved collars, nameplates, food-bowls, leashes using laser engraving, enamels, hot-print methods. Personalisation options include pet name, owner contact, pet silhouette.
Export insight: Emotion-driven purchases (identity, safety, return-home) drive this niche. Buyers emphasise fast tooling, low MOQ customisation, multiple material/finish options (stainless steel, brass, silicone, ceramic) and clear skin & pet-safe finishes.
What This Means for Pet Store Owners, Wholesalers & Importers
Sourcing Strategy
- Prioritise suppliers with export-certified manufacturing, proven service track record and compliance documentation.
- Filter products by functionality, certification, and logistics efficiency (not just price).
- Focus on product categories aligned with urban professional pet-owners (smart devices, space-saving furniture, wellness accessories).
Product Mix & Store Positioning
- Mix “mass-market essentials” (basic leashes/collars, grooming tools) with differentiated “premium-tech” or “eco-friendly” items.
- Leverage trend-driven hot-products from the fair (smart feeders, eco-toys) as in-store highlights or import-specialties.
- Educate retail staff on features (e.g., smart-feeder remote control, biodegradable toy credentials, insect-repellent apparel) so shoppers appreciate value beyond price.
Marketing & Digital Optimisation
- Employ keywords: pet supplies, pet supplies industry trends, new product hot picks in your online content and category pages.
- Highlight trends (sustainability, smart tech, travel-gear, wellness) in blog posts, product descriptions and social-media snippets.
- Tailor to geo-markets: emphasise certifications and compliance (UL, CE) for North America/EU; focus on affordability and features for emerging markets.
Outlook & Growth Focus
The pet-supplies field is evolving rapidly. From niche novelty items to mainstream functional and tech-enhanced goods, differentiation matters. With the accessories market expected to nearly double in the next decade, players who move early on smart, sustainable and consumer-lifestyle-driven segments will gain competitive advantage.
Conclusion
The Canton Fair showcased not just products but the momentum of the global pet-goods industry. For the professionals in the pet-trade — retailers, wholesalers, importers and brand developers — the imperative is clear: update your sourcing mix, align with functionality + differentiation, and speak to the evolving needs of the pet owner. At PETIN.AI, we remain committed to delivering insights For The PET Pros, helping you track industry dynamics, discover new trends, and position your business for growth in the global pet-supplies ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. If there are any errors in data or any infringement issues in this content, please contact info@petin.ai to request correction or removal.
