Top 10 Impressive Pet Products from Global Pet Expo

We have made it back from the Global Pet Expo (GPE) which took place in hot and humid Orlando, Florida. In case you don’t know, GPE is like “Disneyland for animal lovers” and we were not disappointed this year.

With over 900 booths and hundreds of thousands (perhaps even millions) of products, we spent most of our three days at the event wandering around in wide-eyed wonder. There was just so much to look at that by the end of each day, my neck was stiff and my eyes were sore from the constant flow of information and stimulation. Thank goodness Tomlyn had the foresight to hire two very accomplished masseurs and make them available in their booth – we took full advantage of that perk. (Thanks, Tomlyn!)

We will be spending the next year talking in detail about all of the amazing things I think our pack members will love. But, for now, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of a few of our favorites. Here they are, in no particular order…

1.    Wireless Whiskers

Easily the best and most innovative product we saw at Global Pet, this automated feeder for cats and dogs that does oh, so much more. We will be doing an official review of this product soon. Meanwhile, we want to be the first to give you a quick overview.

This product allows you to program meals for each of your pets. Not only does it moderate the amount of food each pet will receive, it will stop your pet from eating when they have reached their daily allowance by closing the plastic doors. One feeder can be programmed for up to 8 pets.

It works from a wireless tag that attaches to your pets collar. Over the first 3 days, it monitors your pet and “learns” what their usual diet is. If your pet needs to lose or gain a few pounds, you simply adjust the amounts through the computer. If a pet is prone to wolfing their food, it will stop them from feeding to quickly by closing the doors and only opens after the pets have had enough time to  digest. It also lets you know if one or more pets has eaten less than normal, or has acted as if it were hungrier than normal – valuable tools in diagnosing potential problems. It automatically measures portions and with a few clicks, you can put your pet on a diet. This is perfect for multi-pet households and pets who are on specific diets. Add a second feeder for pets who are on specific diets – the door will not open for that pet and if they are prone to being bullied away from food, the door will close when on other cat or dog muscles their way in.

I am super excited about this product I and can’t wait to see if it works as well they claim it does! At under $200 per unit, we think it’s affordable and effective.

2.    Licks Vitamins

This is another product are very excited about! Licks vitamins for dogs is the perfect option for pets who have hip problems, pets who are in competition, or pets who need to calm down. Not only did we place it in our top 10 most impressive products, but Licks for Dogs also won the Best in Show Award in the New Product Showcase! Here’s why:

Each packet contains a selection of the highest quality holistic ingredients and vitamins – each of which serves a specific purpose. The vitamins have a 98% absorption rate and they are so tasty that even Cheiss, our most difficult to feed dog, ate it straight from the individual packages. There are three formulas to choose from:

• LICKS Joint & Heart Liquid Vitamins: Our personal favorite, this product is high in glucosamine HCL, anitoxidants, Vitamin E, and nutrients, LICKS helps aid in pain relief and joint health.
• Athlete: Helps maximize muscular function and enhance performance while slowing muscle fatigue between competitions. Also great for a quick boost between events.
• Zen: Recommended as a calming agent for dogs to help reduce stress and anxiety. Ingredients include Chamomile, Tryptophan, Theanine, Eluthero Root, Ashwaghanda Root and more.

They are super portable – you can carry them around in your pocket. Since they are pre-measured, there is no fussing with dosing. You can add it to your dog’s water or food, or give it to them straight from the packet.

My dogs love it so much that I have asked LICKS to quickly develop one for cats that is focused on L-Lysine for eye and respiratory health! Here’s hoping they do it. Official review coming to PetsWeekly soon. The LICKS vitamin supplements retail at about $15 for a 10-day supply.

3.     Wacky Paws Travel Harness, Mobile Carriers and Eco Carriers:

Wacky Paws had some of the cutest products we saw at the show. Here are our four favorites:

• ECO Carrier: which is a lightweight, fully collapsible carrier constructed from PP Foam board that is easily stored away when not in use. The colorful ECO carrier is easy to clean, provides plenty of ventilation and contains a padded handle wrap to provide extra carrying comfort. Retailing at around $45, it’s a carrier that is affordable and fun.
• Travel Harness: This is a new take on the day pack and we were smitten with their bright colors and well-crafted materials. The pockets are just the right size for carrying important items like phones and keys, with plenty of room for your pet to pack his own food and water for a day trip on the town. Comes in pink, blue, green and orange. The travel harness retails at about $40.
• Air Mesh Harness: Designed for smaller pets, such as small dogs or cats, the AirMesh Harness is made from airmesh and PVS Mesh Fabrics with a velcro closure design and metal D ring for attaching a lead. Purrfect for the feline in your family.The air mesh harness retails at between $10-12, which makes it one of our favorites.

4.    Bio-Bubble

These were so visually stunning. Essentially, they are an all-in-one container for your reptiles, birds, spiders, critters, and any other animal that needs a fully contained, climate controlled living area. The versatility and the functionality of the BioBubble Terra Convertible Habitats make them some of the most unique, state-of-the-art animal habitats available on the market today.

The Biobubble can transform into an aquarium, terrarium or small pet habitat, customized to meet the needs of any small pet owner. Additionally it can be used for countless educational projects at home or in the classroom. The smaller units begin at about $120.

5.    PetMate Expandable carriers

There are hundreds of new carriers on the market, but the thing we love most is that the PetMate carriers implemented new expandable designs. I love the idea of my pets having more room when we travel, so these are the travel carriers that made our top ten. We will be talking about more of the amazing type of carriers and new designs as we move through the year. These kennels are not yet available, but you should start seeing them appear very soon.

6.    Links-It

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest. That is the case with the Links-It product. You know those annoying metal rings that attach tags to your pets collar? These clips are designed to replace them.

The hard plastic rings are super secure, incredibly easy to operate, and are virtually silent – no more annoying metal jingles. They come in a variety of colors and are very inexpensive. Check out their site for more information. They also make an excellent key ring!

7.    Seresto

If you’re one of the millions of people who treat for flea and tick problems by using topical products, prepare to be amazed by this flea/tick collar that you only have to change every 8 months.

Now, we have spent a lot of time and energy warning you about the dangers of flea and tick collars. And we stand by that, but this product is different and we will be spending some time telling you why its different in upcoming articles.

We first learned about this new product from Bayer several months ago when we were invited to take place in early evaluation of the collar, but have been under a special agreement not to talk about it until now. And we will be in the very near future. Until then, you can read up about it on the Seresto site. Retailing at about $60, this brings the cost of treating your pet down to less than $10 per month.

8.    UltraSonic Squeaker Toys from QPG

The sonic squeaker from QPG is awesome not only in the dozens of fun shapes it comes in, but because it allows your pet to have fun squeaking their favorite squeaky toy without annoying everyone in the house. It’s a win/win situation for the entire family!

These toys feature QPGs patented chew guard technology and you don’t have to worry about it keeping you awake all night. This innovative toy contains a patented squeaker that is tuned to an ultrasonic frequency that only animals can hear! Available in a variety of colors and designs to keep all your pets stimulated during the day (or night). The science behind Hear Doggy!: Dogs can hear sounds at a higher frequency (0 to 45 KHz) than humans (0 to 20 KHz).  Tuned to an ultrasonic range in the 24-28 KHz frequency, each Hear Doggy! squeaker is out of human hearing range, but still fun for your four-legged friend.

Hear Doggy! toys are available in 2 plush designs: Stuffed toys (Blowfish, Whale and Penguin, available in small or large) and Flats (Deer, Rabbit and Skunk) come in one standard size and contain no messy stuffing in the body. They retail at about $15 per toy.

9.    Birdhouse Lighthouses from the Village Collection:

We didn’t forget about our feathered friends during our trip to Global, and these were some of the bird houses we thought were fun and interesting. We love the lighthouse design for coastal setups and the dozens of new designs for everything from quail to hummingbird feeders. Check out their entire selection at Village Collections. You’ll find the lighthouses retailing at around $25.

10.     The Longshots Launch Toy from Timberwolf Pet

The Longshots Launch Toy is another fun creation borne from a need to “launch” plush toys (which generally don’t get much air time). The patented handle launcher allows you to interchange toys and launch them up to thirty feet or so.

Simply hook one of the interchangeable toys onto the handheld launcher, pull it back like you would a slingshot, and let the fun begin. Your pets will love chasing after these toys and you’ll love being able to play with them in the same way you might throw a ball. The toys are well-designed, available in plush fabrics, lifelike designs and plenty of opportunity to alternate toys during a day-run.

The Launch hook design allows a broad range of toys to be attached and released quickly and easily.   All plush toys in the line have been designed with increased weight forward at a ratio of about 60/40 (meaning that we have greater weight in front/top of the toy than in the back/bottom).   Additionally, all toys include a simple Launch Loop in the front/top of the toy that allows the toy to be attached easily to the launcher.  The toy is so new that we don’t even know what the retail on it will be, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. Learn more at LongShotToys.com