PETS International Magazine May 2026

PETS International Magazine May 2026

In this issue, you’ll discover:

TRENDS & ANALYSIS

  • Trends in accessories & enrichment
  • AI
  • Packaging
  • The pet market in the UK & Benelux
  • Interviews with Tom&Co and Fressnapf

PET FOOD & CARE

  • Specialized diets
  • Pet food texture
  • Spraying & coating

Articles in this issue

AI’s supply chain takeover

AI’s supply chain takeover

Predictive forecasting, vision-guided robotics and digital trade modeling are enabling companies to move from reactive operations to more resilient networks.
Clearing the hurdles to unicorn status

Clearing the hurdles to unicorn status

In a fast-moving technological world, what does it take for pet industry players to reach this coveted company valuation?
Tracking key trends in the pet accessories market

Tracking key trends in the pet accessories market

A new survey finds that most pet parents buy these kinds of items a few times a year, with spending shaped by changing budgets and shifting shopping habits.
Sponsored by PLATINUM
PLATINUM invests in international expertise to drive next growth phase
Sponsored by PLATINUM

PLATINUM invests in international expertise to drive next growth phase

The German premium pet food brand has assembled a seasoned leadership team to accelerate its international expansion and strengthen partnerships worldwide.
Sponsored by Symply Group UK
Five premium brands, one strategic partner
Sponsored by Symply Group UK

Five premium brands, one strategic partner

How Symply Group is helping pet retailers strengthen margin and win on differentiation.
The specialty diets reshaping the premium landscape

The specialty diets reshaping the premium landscape

After years of ‘natural’, grain-free and human-grade claims dominating innovation, market growth in the US is now increasingly driven by precision health positioning.
Sponsored by Tolsa Pet Care
Shaping the future of pet care through industrial expertise
Sponsored by Tolsa Pet Care

Shaping the future of pet care through industrial expertise

A cat litter showcase that illustrates the power of vertically integrated industrial models in modern pet care.
Paws for thought

Paws for thought

Research shows certain dog breeds, shapes and ages are more prone to overgrown nails, highlighting the need for targeted veterinary guidance and owner education on this aspect of canine wellbeing.
Interview with the Group CEO of Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo

Interview with the Group CEO of Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo

Eight months into his appointment, the German pet retailer’s new leader unveils his agenda for targeted multichannel expansion.
Sponsored by Spectrum Brands Germany
A bigger stage for strong brands: Spectrum Brands Pet Care expands its Interzoo presence
Sponsored by Spectrum Brands Germany

A bigger stage for strong brands: Spectrum Brands Pet Care expands its Interzoo presence

Spectrum Brands Pet Care will bring together its strong portfolio of individual brands to Interzoo on a significantly expanded stage, built to lead and designed for experience and partnership.
Where plants and dogs agree

Where plants and dogs agree

Plant-based dog food. Guaranteed nutrition, proven taste. No cross-contamination. Built for brands.
The implications of insect meal for pet food texture

The implications of insect meal for pet food texture

As alternative proteins gain traction, manufacturers are adapting formulations and processing methods to maintain kibble quality.
Sponsored by Logical Brands, Inc. USA
Playology®: science-backed innovation
Sponsored by Logical Brands, Inc. USA

Playology®: science-backed innovation

At the core of Playology is a simple but powerful belief: scent and instinct drive longer-lasting engagement.
Welfare check: what new EU regulation means

Welfare check: what new EU regulation means

The introduction of minimum standards on how cats and dogs are bred, sold, sheltered and tracked is set to reshape the European pet market.
Sustainability quickens demand for pulses

Sustainability quickens demand for pulses

Following a surge in relevance for grain-free formulations, legumes are now gaining extra momentum as environmentally friendly premium ingredients.
Five years of Brexit: the state of the UK-EU pet food trade

Five years of Brexit: the state of the UK-EU pet food trade

Importing and exporting is still costly and complex for British businesses, but current talks to scrap health certificates and border checks offer a glimmer of hope.
Packing a punch

Packing a punch

Driven by changing consumer habits and attitudes, brands are rethinking packaging formats, materials and messaging, with a heightened focus on clarity and credibility.
Sponsored by FAM STUMABO
Precision cutting for premium pet food production
Sponsored by FAM STUMABO

Precision cutting for premium pet food production

FAM STUMABO provides advanced cutting solutions to ensure quality and efficiency in pet food manufacturing.
Belgium: Stability defines an evolving pet landscape

Belgium: Stability defines an evolving pet landscape

Ownership levels remain high while younger consumers drive the latest adoption trends and reshape attitudes toward health, sustainability and spending.
Sponsored by Versele-Laga
Something extraordinary is coming…
Sponsored by Versele-Laga

Something extraordinary is coming…

Versele-Laga is entering a new chapter. As a global producer across nine animal categories, the company is taking a strategic step forward – one that will be unveiled at Interzoo.
Sponsored by APC Europe S.L.
Can plasma be the key to dog microbiome health?
Sponsored by APC Europe S.L.

Can plasma be the key to dog microbiome health?

New research reveals how plasma proteins interact directly with the gut and influence the microbiome.
EU deals set to expand pet trade horizons

EU deals set to expand pet trade horizons

Lower duties could unlock new markets for European brands while also enabling emerging producers to trade more productively with the bloc.
US cat owners lean into wellness

US cat owners lean into wellness

The most recent APPA report provides detailed insights into trends in feline care – with the data showing that consumers are more mindful than ever of their companion’s wellbeing.
Retail under pressure: Turning disruption into opportunity

Retail under pressure: Turning disruption into opportunity

Leaders in the pet sector share how they are embracing AI, automation and omnichannel strategies to drive growth while safeguarding margins.
Keeping pace with UK spending trends

Keeping pace with UK spending trends

Pet food persists as an appealing category for retailers and investors alike, but value remains king in the bid to attract and retain British shoppers.
Kids vs pets: a growing gap

Kids vs pets: a growing gap

As birth rates decline globally and families become smaller, dogs and cats are increasingly at the heart of the household.
Interview with Chief Procurement & Supply Chain Officer of Tom&Co

Interview with Chief Procurement & Supply Chain Officer of Tom&Co

As well as expanding its range to include products for specific conditions, the pet retailer is trialing an urban store concept and completing a new warehouse.
Sponsored by DANA Technology Denmark
How DANA Technology helps pet food manufacturers get more from their raw materials
Sponsored by DANA Technology Denmark

How DANA Technology helps pet food manufacturers get more from their raw materials

DANA Technology helps wet pet food producers extract more value from lower-grade raw materials with two specialist processing technologies.
Precision coating and aroma control take center stage

Precision coating and aroma control take center stage

A heightened focus on specialized, high-quality pet nutrition is prompting development of innovative techniques for enhancing flavor and smell.
Bilateral agreements boost pet industry exports

Bilateral agreements boost pet industry exports

With simplified procedures and clear certification requirements, governments are creating pathways to meet increasing global demand.
A new pathway for bringing animal feed ingredients to the US market

A new pathway for bringing animal feed ingredients to the US market

Thanks to the SRIS program, pet food manufacturers now have better and faster access to innovative ingredients, enhancing their competitiveness.
Sponsored by AFB International
How can palatants influence the texture of wet cat food?
Sponsored by AFB International

How can palatants influence the texture of wet cat food?

As wet cat food gains popularity, pet owners increasingly value the eating experience, viewing palatability as a multi-sensory journey beyond just taste.
Sponsored by BESTMIX Software
How a 1% moisture shift changes everything
Sponsored by BESTMIX Software

How a 1% moisture shift changes everything

Why a single metric dictates the entire nutritional label, and how pet food manufacturers can finally take proactive control.
Emotional gifting drives growth during key shopping events

Emotional gifting drives growth during key shopping events

Pet parents are increasingly likely to buy gifts at special moments – both as a display of their affection and to take advantage of attractive discounts and promotions.
Sponsored by Pooch & Mutt UK
Pooch & Mutt rewrites the rules of functional dog food
Sponsored by Pooch & Mutt UK

Pooch & Mutt rewrites the rules of functional dog food

A brand refresh, new product ranges and a focus on gut health signal Pooch & Mutt’s shift toward personalized pet nutrition while retaining its functional roots.
Counterfeiting: a threat to pet welfare

Counterfeiting: a threat to pet welfare

New guidelines are aimed at safeguarding pets and their owners against ineffective and unsafe medical products being sold through both online and offline channels.