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Cats Take the Lead, Reptile Keeping Comes Under Fire
September 2026 delivers two strong signals to the pet industry. On one hand, the financial results of American giants clearly show who is driving food and accessory sales today. On the other hand, international experts are sounding the alarm over the trade in reptiles and amphibians, pointing to threats to wild populations and public health. We take a look at what these two stories say about the direction the market is heading.
01 · Pet Food Market
Cats Take the Initiative in Sales [1]
The September 2026 earnings reports from General Mills, Chewy, and Petco draw a clear dividing line across the US pet market. Cat food sales are growing at a double-digit pace, while demand for dog products is falling by high single-digit percentages. Analysts cited by CNBC attribute this not so much to a decline in the number of dogs as to consumers taking a more cautious, selective approach to household budgets - cat owners are more willing to reach for pricier, premium products, while dog-related spending is the first to be cut when budgets tighten.
This is a signal that can't be ignored - until recently, the dog products segment was the undisputed growth engine of the pet food industry. If the trend holds, it could mean a shift in emphasis within manufacturers' product portfolios, as well as in the strategies of pet stores and retail chains, which will need to rethink shelf space planning and promotional campaigns accordingly.
02 · Law & Ethics
Reptile Keeping Under Scrutiny: Experts Call for Closing Legal Loopholes [2]
The second story of the week concerns a completely different segment of the market - exotic animals. Eight international experts issued an appeal to governments, pointing out that current regulations on the trade in reptiles and amphibians contain loopholes that pose a real threat to wild populations. In their view, the global trade in these animals fuels smuggling and increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, while the growing popularity of reptile keeping as a hobby means more and more species are entering the market without reliable verification of their origin.
The appeal is part of a broader, increasingly vocal debate about ethics and regulation in the exotic animal segment. For exhibitors and traders involved in reptile keeping, it's a clear signal that transparency about animal origin and breeding documentation will only grow in importance - not just out of concern for animal welfare, but as real legal requirements that can be expected in the coming years.
03
Two Poles of One Industry
Although the two stories concern different market segments, they share a common thread - the pet industry is entering a phase in which sales data and legal regulations are increasingly forcing more deliberate business decisions. Pet food manufacturers need to keep a close eye on shifting demand between animal species, while exotic animal traders should prepare for greater scrutiny of product origin. In both cases, those who act ahead of the curve - rather than after the fact - come out on top.
These are exactly the kinds of changes - and how to respond to them - that will be up for discussion at the Animals & Veterinary Days trade fair. It's a chance to engage directly with market trends, hear expert positions on regulations affecting exotic animals, and see how exhibitors from the pet food, veterinary, grooming, and dog-breeding industries are adapting their offerings to changing realities. Join us - it's the best place to stay up to date, rather than finding out about changes from earnings reports.
Invitation
Want to know how the shift in demand from dogs to cats will reshape shelf offerings, and what regulations are in store for the reptile-keeping industry? You'll find the answers at the Animals & Veterinary Days trade fair. Meet exhibitors from the pet food, veterinary, grooming, and dog-breeding industries, and talk to experts about the trends shaping the market today.
Animals & Veterinary Days 2026