Naturally healthy and stylish and functional too – these are the product trends for pets at Interzoo 2014, this year’s biggest trade fair in the world for pet supplies.
Healthy food
Pet food is increasingly tailored to the individual needs of the respective species and groups of animals, such as to small breeds or puppies. When choosing food for their animal friends, more and more pet keepers dispense with additives like flavouring, preservatives and colourings and prefer ingredients manufactured without genetic engineering. Premium food frequently contains supplementary ingredients like fresh garden herbs and fruit. Also popular are dietary products and food supplements as functional food, which take into account certain animal health problems like food intolerances, musculoskeletal problems or skin and fur problems, support digestion and strengthen the immune system. Other products still popular are healthy, low-calorie or other snacks for animals as rewards and as treats for between times.
Natural food: BARF
Some pet keepers prefer natural food for their animals based on Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF), which they can mix individually for their four-legged friends. The latest BARF products in the world will be on show at Interzoo, including complete BARF meals or systems for beginners. Dogs and cats are carnivores, so more and more pet food manufacturers offer all-meat tinned foods or food supplements, also in the form of vegetable & whole fruit drinks (smoothies), which together with uncooked fresh or frozen meat become an individually balanced food ration.
Sustainability and regionality
Sustainability and regionality are still very popular topics. High-quality raw materials from regional sources are used for the manufacture of pet food, and the agricultural ingredients are produced by local family farms. Organic pet food will also be on display at Interzoo. Besides sustainability, the certified safety of the products plays a key role. For the design of aquariums, for example, TÜV-tested, food-grade and UV-stable back walls and decorative articles of cast mineral stone without poisonous glass fibres are offered.
Activity trend
To develop the animals’ desire for exercise, more and more pet keepers buy activity toys like swings and climbing frames for birds and small mammals. Intelligent toys for physical and mental training of four-legged pets are also in great demand. Here the animals must work for their own food by solving tasks. Also offered are folding and portable treadmills for dogs, which do not actually replace a walk with their master or mistress, but support the rehabilitation of the animals especially after an illness or operation. There are also new retrieving products, creative water toys, balance boards, tilt boards and chew and tug toys that promote interaction between the animal and humans.
Stylish and luxurious
Many pet keepers would like to pamper themselves and their pet when shopping: Special creams clean and care for dogs’ paws with the aid of active cell-regenerating substances, and there are shampoos and conditioners for caring for fur that are based on natural extracts and designed for different kinds of fur.
For lovers of luxury, the manufacturers offer fashionable leads with rhinestones, noble food bowls and fine dog blankets, including international award-winning designer products and stylish creations by celebrities like singer and dog breeder Heino. Friends of nature among the pet keepers like outdoor cushions or special outdoor clothing for dogs, which is made of materials such as SympaTex and in terms of quality, workmanship and design is every bit as good as products for master or mistress.
The four-legged pets can rest on orthopaedic dog cushions made of materials developed from space travel. Pet furniture is also available in various styles, which are offered to match pet keepers’ own home design. For example, there is scratch furniture for cats in wood decor or fine base cupboards that make the aquarium or terrarium a real eye-catcher. The current design trends of aquascaping (filigree underwater landscapes in aquariums) and terrascaping (creative natural simulations in terraria) promote this development.
Innovative technology
A number of technical innovations support hygiene in pet keeping.Especially the two-legged species are pleased about new cat litter disposal bins and the practical dog waste disposers.
The biggest variety of innovative technical equipment for pets is to be found in the aquaria and terraria segments. For example, new aquariums with LED lights produce more light despite lower power consumption. They also offer improved filtration and light distribution, so that sunrise and sunset can be simulated.
Automatic feed and fertilizer dispensers and ultrasonic monitoring equipment are also popular. The most modern technical know-how can also be found in self-cleaning aquariums with programmable control and in especially compact and quiet flow pumps that use less electricity.
