PETS International Magazine September 2026
In this issue, you’ll discover:
TRENDS & ANALYSIS
- The EU customs and VAT reforms
- Pet toys
- Sustainability & Packaging
- The pet market in Spain and Portugal
- Interviews with pet retailers IskayPet and Zu.
PET FOOD & CARE
- Pet supplements
- Gut health
- Palatability
Articles in this issue
How digestive health is rewriting the pet food playbook
As consumer demand and product innovation continue to align, manufacturers are looking at ways to expand the segment using the latest technology.
EU customs and VAT reforms: Turning point for businesses selling into Europe
As the bloc moves towards a more digital and controlled trade environment, pet companies must reassess their export strategies. Is direct shipping still the right model?
Breaking the mold in feline taste testing
In-home trials can capture real-world feeding behavior while incorporating valuable owner observations.
Pet industry moves beyond compliance in sustainability
Environmental strategy is evolving to encompass more than just emissions and packaging, as businesses invest in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship and supply chain resilience.
Europe leads in latest pet food M&A cycle
A transatlantic divide is emerging in 2026 as European players pursue global expansion while North America prioritizes integration and margin protection.
Interview with CEO of ZU
Following its acquisition by Musti, the Portuguese pet retailer is accelerating its expansion strategy, with larger stores in the pipeline offering a deeper range of accessories and services.
The push to make pet toys last longer
Businesses are looking to new materials and methods to reduce waste, extend product life and justify premium prices.
Spain: Mature owners are shaping the next era of pet care
A new generation of engaged pet parents is refashioning consumption habits, raising expectations and creating new opportunities across food, retail and services.
The enrichment products that are now everyday essentials
Exclusive data reveals how owners across seven markets are making purchases with a view to supporting the mental wellbeing, physical activity and overall health of their cats and dogs.
Sponsored by Versele
Sponsored by Versele
Shaping the future of pet care, across every pet
Versele-Laga becomes Versele: one master brand, one mission and a clear ambition for 2032.
Portugal: Competition intensifies as the market builds
The expansion of specialized retail beyond major centers, as well as investment in local production boosted by public funding, are key to understanding the driving forces of the Portuguese pet segment.
Interview with CEO of Grupo IskayPet
The Spanish pet retailer is targeting services with the aim of achieving more than 10% of its revenue via veterinary care, grooming, insurance and subscription models by 2030.
Sponsored by LitPet
Sponsored by LitPet
LitPet’s pill-free approach to joint care
New joint supplement pairs European science with Traditional Chinese Medicine botanicals.
The cat’s pajamas?
Changing attitudes and demographics, combined with the power of social media, are opening up fresh opportunities for non-dog fashion.
Cross-border e-commerce broadens pet trade horizons
New fulfillment partnerships and infrastructure investments are reshaping the global pet industry, helping businesses overcome barriers to wider expansion.
Puppy fat: tackling dog obesity through the gut
Prebiotics and probiotics are gaining attention as useful tools in weight management, as research reveals their role in canine metabolic health.
The latest frontiers in pet food enhancers
Palatants are expanding beyond traditional fats and proteins to combine taste appeal with gut health and sustainability benefits.
Sponsored by AFB International
Sponsored by AFB International
How does flavor migration shape palatability in wet pet food?
Research shows the impact of adding a palatant to just one part of a chunks-in-gravy recipe
Sponsored by Tropical Tadeusz Ogrodnik
Sponsored by Tropical Tadeusz Ogrodnik
Introducing Shrimp-UP! – Tropical’s new food line for shrimp
Six new sinking-block foods target the booming ornamental shrimp market.
Sponsored by Essentia Protein Solutions
Sponsored by Essentia Protein Solutions
Exploring the dimensions of palatability with bone broth
As toppers move from picky- eater fix to enrichment, a familiar ingredient fits the brief.
How will new EU rules reshape the business environment?
Updated merger guidelines and regulatory changes aim to attract investment and reduce complexity, but their practical effectiveness remains uncertain.
EU’s parcel duty puts imports under pressure
Falling parcel volumes from Asia and rising costs could accelerate the shift towards regionally based fulfillment and distribution models.
Sponsored by Symrise Pet Food
Sponsored by Symrise Pet Food
New product unlocks the secret to feline feast appeal
Cats are famously fussy. A new palatant wins them all over.
Sponsored by Naturacare
Sponsored by Naturacare
Why pet supplements need more than a good formula
What separates the products that succeed from the ones pets refuse?
Sponsored by Bioiberica
Sponsored by Bioiberica
The vitamin missing from most canine gut supplements
Bioiberica's Probioplus pairs three biotics with a clinically relevant dose of vitamin B12.
