China International Pet Show 2025: The Pet Industry’s Biggest Secret Meeting Is Happening in Guangzhou

Ever wondered where that innovative cat toy or sustainable dog food you spotted at your local pet shop comes from? This November, over 70,000 visitors from more than 120 countries are converging on Guangzhou for the China International Pet Show (CIPS), and the decisions made there will shape what lands on pet shop shelves worldwide in the coming years.

Where Pet Trends Are Born

The 29th edition of CIPS, running from 13th to 16th November, has evolved from a regional fair into something much more significant. It’s become the place where major retailers like PetSmart, Fressnapf, and Cobasi meet the manufacturers who create roughly 70% of the world’s pet products. That’s right, seven out of ten pet products globally can trace their origins back to companies exhibiting at this single event.

What makes this really interesting for pet owners is how the show reflects shifting priorities in pet care. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s become a business imperative. Those recyclable packaging solutions you’ve been seeing more of lately? The natural ingredient lists on your pet’s food? The energy-efficient aquarium filters? Many of these innovations get their first major platform at events like CIPS.

Beyond the Typical Trade Fair

But this isn’t your typical trade show where salespeople hand out brochures and call it a day. CIPS has developed a rather clever matchmaking system, almost like speed dating for businesses. Buyers and suppliers pre-select each other online, then meet for focused 25-minute sessions throughout the show. When buyers can connect directly with the right manufacturers, innovative products reach market faster and often at better prices.

The exhibition floor tells its own story about where the pet industry is heading. With over 1,200 exhibitors covering everything from traditional dog and cat supplies to exotic bird care and reptile habitats, the breadth is staggering. But what’s particularly noteworthy is that more than 80% of these exhibitors aren’t just sellers, they’re integrated suppliers with their own design teams, research departments, and manufacturing facilities. This means they can respond quickly to new trends and regulations, whether that’s creating grain-free diets or developing biodegradable litter.

Innovation That Matters

The CIPS Innovation Award offers a glimpse into tomorrow’s pet products, and the judging criteria reveal something important. Products aren’t just assessed for being novel or clever; they’re evaluated for technical merit and commercial viability. In other words, will this actually work, and will pet owners buy it? Recent categories include smart devices (think GPS trackers and automated feeders), functional nutrition, and sustainable packaging solutions.

Speaking of sustainability, the show’s “Green Paw Prints, Love for Earth” initiative, now in its third year, highlights companies making genuine environmental progress. These aren’t firms just slapping ‘eco-friendly’ labels on their products. They’re the ones developing truly recyclable packaging, sourcing renewable materials, and creating transparent supply chains. When your local pet shop starts stocking products with genuinely sustainable credentials, there’s a good chance those products were first showcased as part of this programme.

The Big Questions Being Asked

The conference programme explores the why behind the what. The CIPS International Pet Industry Convention spans two days. Day One focuses on “Unlimited Connection”: how private-label partnerships work, how retailers adapt to changing consumer behaviour. Basically, how the industry figures out what pet owners want before we know we want it.

Day two tackles sustainability and responsibility, including ESG frameworks (that’s Environmental, Social, and Governance standards, basically ensuring companies behave ethically) and traceability. They’re about ensuring the chew toy your dog loves wasn’t made using harmful chemicals, that the fish food you buy is sustainably sourced, and that packaging doesn’t end up polluting oceans.

Beyond Dogs and Cats: The Full Pet Spectrum

While dogs and cats dominate most pet shops, CIPS showcases the entire pet world. Aquatics specialists like Dohse Aquaristik attend specifically for the latest in filtration systems and breeding technologies. Reptile suppliers bring new habitat solutions. Small pet and exotic animal suppliers showcase everything from improved hamster wheels to specialised bird nutrition.

The aquatics sector gets its own dedicated convention within the show. The 2nd Aquatic Industry Convention, organised with Ornamental Fish International, tackles some serious issues. Their theme this year, “Potential Through Hard Times”, addresses regulatory changes in Europe and North America, emerging markets in Vietnam, Brazil, and India, and the unique sustainability challenges facing the aquarium trade.

Your Chance to See Tomorrow’s Pet Products Today

Why wait for these innovations to trickle down to your local pet shop when you could see them first-hand? CIPS 2025 welcomes passionate pet owners alongside industry professionals. From 13th to 16th November at the Guangzhou International Import Export Fair Complex, you’ll have access to products that won’t hit mainstream markets for months, maybe years.

Imagine discovering that perfect solution for your cat’s fussy eating habits, finding sustainable alternatives before they become trendy, or connecting directly with manufacturers who can answer your questions about ingredients, sourcing, and safety. With over 1,200 exhibitors and attendance already 30% higher than last year, CIPS 2025 promises to be the most comprehensive showcase of pet innovation you’ll find anywhere. Whether you’re hunting for the latest in pet nutrition, searching for eco-friendly options, or simply curious about where the industry is heading, this is your opportunity to be part of the conversation that shapes pet care globally.