We were thrilled to attend SuperZoo 2018! If you don’t know, SuperZoo is North America’s largest pet retail event that is held in Las Vegas. There are hundreds of booths and it is a great place to see all of the up and coming pet products.
We spent two very packed days at the event and saw some amazing products that we are excited to bring back to Fitdog. We spent time before the event planning and strategizing so that we could make the most out of our time at SuperZoo.
Superzoo Day 1
Day 1 began with a 6 am flight to Las Vegas. Once we landed in Vegas the fun began and we headed straight to the convention floor to get started. With a plan in hand, we started out the day by heading over to the PetTech corner. There we were able to see all of the latest pet technology that has been launched or will be launched later this year. We saw two products that we loved: The first was iFetch’s new product, the iDig. The iDig allows owners to hide toys and treats in different layers and pockets and gives the dog a brain workout trying to find the hidden objects.
The second was the Wagz Connected Collar which will connect with all of their other home products and allow you to monitor your dog’s activity, thus eliminating the worries of having your dog home alone! The connected collar will monitor your dog’s eating habits, activity levels, sleep patterns and more. Some of their other home products are the automatic feeder which can be connected to Amazon’s Alexa as well as their automatic dog door. Each of Wagz’s home products will sync together so that the automatic feeder will distribute the appropriate amount of food based on activity level for the day, and the dog door can open automatically to let your dog out.
Fun new products from Molly Mutt!
We then made our way around the convention floor searching for products that our owners can love and trust! We found some great new companies like Fuzzyard North America and saw some of our old friends Weruva and Molly Mutt. Molly Mutt has come out with some great new patterns for their car seat covers that we will be ordering for Fitdog. One of Molly Mutt’s new products is their self-stuffed dog beds, which will let you fill one of their patterned dog duvets with old shirts and blankets so that your dog can be comforted by your smell when you are away.
Day one included thousands of steps but by the end of the day, we had a long list of products we were excited to bring back! We spent the evening creating a game plan for what products we wanted to purchase and which booths we needed to see on day 2.
Day 1 Take-Aways: Technology in the pet world is amazing!! Owners can now monitor sleep patterns, activity patterns, eating habits and health! This technology is really the future of the pet industry!
Superzoo Day 2
Day 2 was a shorter day but this was our action day. We made our way back to the convention floor and began the process of ordering (Yay paperwork)! This day was about picking and choosing the very best products and designs for our owners. We ordered some new treats, new collars, and reordered some of our favorite products. One new product we ordered was the Himalayan Bonehead. The Bone Head can be used for any treats and takes the worry out of your dog choking on a treat. All you have to do is put any stick-like treat into the center; your dog chews both sides and leaves the small part locked in the middle so they can’t choke.
BONEHEAD by Himalayan Dog Chews
We also used this time to talk with companies that specialize in hemp products. Many of our owners have been curious about hemp and the benefits it can have on their dogs so we wanted to take the time to learn more about it. One of our favorite companies was Wild Life Hemp, which specializes in all-natural, hemp extract infused pet products. Wild Life Hemp has a line of dog treats and CBD oils that can have benefits such as reducing anxiety and can be helpful for joint pain in older dogs.
Day 2 Take-Aways: Hemp products can be very beneficial to dogs. We learned many of the great outcomes that come with using hemp supplements and all of the research that has gone into the products.
Favorites From Years Past!
Here are some of our favorite finds from past Super Zoos we’ve attended!
2017
Some of our favorite companies, from Orijen & Acana to MetroPaws, at SuperZoo! Ono took their technology from their EZ Plate for kids to create a new feeding system for dogs.
Superheroes
The Super Hero trend did not skip the pet industry! We loved seeing Super Hero themed collars, toys & more!
Teeth cleaning toys & treats
We saw a lot of vendors were pitching toys that help clean teeth or aid in teeth cleaning. Himalayan has a wood bone that helps clean dogs’ teeth, while Aussie Naturals has a Water Buffalo Horn. Merrick now has an all-natural alternative of a teeth-cleaning treat, similar to Greenies. There are also new felt toys and rope toys to help clean teeth.
Human grade food
It’s not enough to be all-natural, USA sourced and made, now pet food is human grade! We went to a demo for Orijen where they showed an ingredient comparison of what’s in Orijen (whole foods) vs grain-free brand x (limited meat, bones and powders). This is why we love and only sell Orijen and Acana dry foods!
Would you eat dog food?!
Patterns
From bully stick toys to cooling vests to bounce toys, we saw a HUGE trend in Native American patterns!
2015
- Bond – Waterproof, stink-proof collars that are sleek and stylish. Everything from the buckle to the strap is designed with a modern appeal. Finally, our sporty dogs can look sharp.
- Wolfgang Man & Beast – These guys take inspiration from the active Salt Lake City lifestyle to create one-of-a-kind prints. Your dog’s collar can match your favorite skateboard. Their ProcessPrint collar was designed in collaboration with GoldCoast, a skateboard company out of Salt Lake City.
- Mauro – Animal tested? How about human tested. This line of grooming products is extensively tested on humans for the benefit of those who matter most – our beloved pets. And you can tell! One sniff and you think you are testing salon-grade shampoo, not doggy grooming products.
- Himalayan Dog Chew – This company turns Yak milk into doggy treats. Their most recent invention: Yacky Charms. Pop it in the microwave and the Yak cheese pops into delicious cheesy poufs snacks i.e. popcorn for dogs. P.S. You can eat it too.
2014
Doog Walkie Belt: This could be the Swiss Army knife of doggy fanny packs. But don’t call them fanny packs, because they are not the bulky, frumpy bags you remember. What’s included? Everything you need to be hands-free with your dog in a sleek, stylish belt including an iPod clip, poop bag holder, two pockets for keys, money, phone and treats, hand wipe pocket, tennis ball holder, and a carabineer for attaching a dog lead or water bottle.
LoveThyBeast Canvas Tote Bag: LoveThyBeast is focused on utilitarian design, locally sourced materials and American-made products, so needless to say, this is one sturdy, hip bag. If you carry around your pup in a bag, you can skip those bulky pods and carriers and stop trying to make your regular handbag work as a carrier – because it doesn’t. This bag looks like a designer tote bag, but is built for your dog. They also have adorable beds and collars.
Northmate Pulse: As an owner of a high-energy dog and someone who recently had a baby, I was entranced when I first glimpsed the Northmate Pulse. It’s simple but genius. Your dog pushes the button on the covered bowl and a treat dispenses. The magic comes when you combine two or more units. After the first unit dispenses a treat, your dog has to locate the second unit in order for a treat to be dispensed. The light bulb moment is when you realize that you can put these all over your house, yard, or wherever to get your dog running around exercising both his mind and body. Meanwhile, you’re freed up to take a break or deal with the baby or whatever it is you need to do! Unfortunately, this product won’t be available for purchase until the end of the year.
Chief Furry Officer Collars: Sifting through the massive collar collection at SuperZoo is overwhelming to say the least. There are myriad styles, colors, fabrics, and hardware to the point that your head will begin to spin. Chief Furry Officer, or CFO for short, is based in Los Angeles and many of their collar styles are named after a city or neighborhood in Southern California, such as Manhattan Beach or Palisades, making it perfect for Fitdog members. They also offer tons of fabric choices and three durable hardware options. Their top seller is the Zoo Collar, because, as owner TL Garcia pointed out, “Who doesn’t like animal print?”
Sleepypod Clickit Seat Belt: We’re going to have to get a bit technical with this one. This makes our top five list, because it was the only dog seat belt to “pass” all the criteria set by the Center of Pet Safety during crash tests. The product is designed like a commercial seat belt vs. a regular dog harness with a hook added on as a secondary option. After seeing the ClickIt Utility belt, you know the difference. It is the first dog safety harness to incorporate three-points of attachment to absorb force in a frontal collision by dissipating energy to keep the dog in the car seat during an impact. Translation: Your dog does not fly through the window! Enough said.
2013;
Orijen Pet Food: These bite-size treats are delivered fresh in “WholePrey ratios.” What does that mean? 100% meat just the way dogs like it.
Planet Dog: The Orbee-tuff Snoop is an interactive toy with a unique design to keep dogs stimulated and busy. Made in fun colors and fits various treat sizes.
Jax & Bones: Made with durable and beautiful fabrics these beds can be custom made to meet the design requirements of any home. What we love most is that they are water-resistant (water beads off of the material) and the covers are machine washable.
RC Pets: These wide collars come in a variety of patterns with the 4″ width really making the look. Martingale styles are available so dogs don’t have to look boring in their training gear. The price is right at $14 – $16.