PETS International Magazine September 2025
In this issue, you’ll discover:
TRENDS
- Kitten & puppy toys
- Are cats outpacing dogs?
- Cover story: Josera’s makeover meets evolving market demands
PET INDUSTRY
- Regional updates from Central and Eastern Europe
- Interviews with retailers Pet Network International and Maxi Zoo Polska
- Pet population updates
- Trump tariffs: industry responses
Articles in this issue
Sponsored by Josera
Sponsored by Josera
Passion for what’s inside: Josera’s new look
The leading pet food manufacturer’s new product look reflects premium quality and clearer orientation at point of sale.
An end to doggy domination?
The growth of cat ownership is outpacing that of dogs in many countries, including the US. We dive into the market data to analyze the implications of this shift for the future of the pet industry.
Has junior pet food hit a ceiling?
Puppy and kitten products – both dry and wet – seem to have claimed all available shelf space, even in developing markets. Is there still room for growth?
Sponsored by AFB International
Sponsored by AFB International
Palatants in pet pharma and supplements: elevating health through taste
With health products only effective when consumed, taste can be just as important as function. How can manufacturers ensure pets accept what’s good for them?
Play time: e-commerce, subscriptions and standards
PETS International examines key trends in the online world of pet toys, and delves into the issue of regulation in an expanding global market.
Sponsored by Darling Ingredients Inc.
Sponsored by Darling Ingredients Inc.
Exploring the potential of spray-dried porcine plasma in canine health
New research investigates SDP’s effect on dogs with gut issues.
“We are looking to enter a sixth country in 2026”, Timo Tervo, CEO, Pet Network International
Entrepreneurial by nature, the Croatian omnichannel retailer is keen to take advantage of all platforms that can bring it closer to its customers.
The potential of pet gut microbiota modulation
Offering supplements that claim to boost digestive health and the brain-gut axis is a burgeoning trend, but robust evaluation is needed to ensure recommendations remain scientifically sound.
Are dogs becoming fussier eaters?
As knowledge of what makes dog food palatable grows deeper, and greater numbers of additions are made to pet diets to make them more appealing, researchers are asking if this is encouraging canine food selectivity.
US tariffs put pressure on e-commerce merchants
Although apprehension is widespread, causing both increasing uneasiness in the business community and price rises, research shows that strategic approaches vary according to region.
Sponsored by NBF Lanes Srl
Sponsored by NBF Lanes Srl
Could L. reuteri offer a competitive edge in pet nutrition?
Microbiome-focused pet nutrition is growing, but barriers remain. NBF LANES BIOME offers science-backed solutions.
Interview with Wojciech Kamiński, Managing Director, Maxi Zoo Polska
On 6 August, Maxi Zoo opened its 151st store in Poland, making it the leading company in the country’s pet retail sector. What’s next for the business?
The US legislation paving the way for immune health benefit claims
Consumers want more supplements for their pets that support the immune system. Legal developments in America could help make such products more viable.
Sponsored by Pet Factory Srl
Sponsored by Pet Factory Srl
Pet Factory opens new pet food manufacturing hub in Bucharest
The new state-of-the-art facility signals the company's ambitions to lead in the competitive European pet food landscape.
Sponsored by Aerox BV
Sponsored by Aerox BV
Solving odor at the source
How can pet food manufacturers address the rising challenge of odor control?
Exploring the geopolitical factors affecting pet food players’ ESG efforts
Sustainability-related work has become both more challenging and more critical, but there are still reasons for optimism, according to experts canvassed by PETS International.
Gut health gains ground as a priority for pet food buyers
The interest in ingredients that promote digestive balance is shaping both purchasing behavior and innovation across the world of pet nutrition.
Bulgaria: pet businesses welcome transition to euro
With the Eastern European nation due to join the eurozone from January 2026, how will this move affect the country’s pet industry?
Regional report Central and Eastern Europe: More alike than different
A look at pet care trends across Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – and how they stand in comparison with Western Europe.
Weighing up the advantages of utilizing lentil pasta byproduct in pet food
Leveraging increased consumer demand for pasta made from lentils by using its byproducts in pet food could have benefits for both dog nutrition and the planet.
Sponsored by Essentia Protein Solutions
Sponsored by Essentia Protein Solutions
Is bone broth a solution to the palatability challenge?
Picky eaters, declining appetites: getting pets to eat is not always easy. Bone broth may offer a natural answer.
Data snapshot: changes in pet ownership across Europe
We take a comprehensive look at the trends emerging in Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands in the years since the COVID pandemic.
New data unpacks consumer habits in pet toys
Exclusive research explores spending patterns, safety concerns and the other factors that are currently driving sales among cat and dog owners.
Toy trends among puppy and kitten owners
Fresh consumer data reveals generational behavior insights, offering possible strategic directions for both retailers and brands.
