New Products Showcase winners from this years Global Pet Expo

The 2018 Global Pet Expo, presented by the American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association, recently held its 14th annual show in Orlando, Florida, March 21-23. The first pet products trade show of the year, Global Pet Expo is also the largest annual show in the pet industry and is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals, according to a Global Pet Expo release.

Though this year's numbers have yet to be released, the 2017 show featured 6,761 qualified buyers and 1,130 exhibitors. Living up to its title, 25 percent of the buyers at last year's expo attended from outside the United States, representing 79 countries, and 27 percent of the exhibitors were international.

Companies launching new products were able to enter them into the New Products Showcase. Out of 1,000 new product submissions this year, nine received “Best in Show” awards across various categories. Here are some of the winners you might see more of this year:

Image courtesy of Petronics.Product: Mousr

Company: Petronics

Best in Show category: Cat

The Mousr is a robotic rodent on wheels designed for feline entertainment that drives on carpet, wood, tile, linoleum and rugs. Using sensors and artificial intelligence, the electronic mouse can interact with cats on its own or via an app on the pet owner's smartphone or tablet. It features a flicking motorized tail that has interchangeable attachments to switch up the play. 

Image courtesy of Aquapaw.Product:Aquapaw Pet Bathing System

Company: Aquapaw

Best in Show category: Dog

The Aquapaw Pet Bathing Tool is a one-size-fits-all combination sprayer and scrubber that straps to the pet owner's hand. This same hand can control water flow by pressing the fingers to the palm to click the water on and off. The tool can attach to both showers and garden hose bibbs. Aquapaw also recently released a Slow Treater to be used in conjunction with its bathing tool. The dishwasher-safe silicone treater has suction cups that attach to smooth shower walls and is nubby enough to hold substances like peanut butter and spray cheese for bath-time distraction.

Image courtesy of HandsOn.Product: HandsOn Gloves

Company: HandsOn

Best in Show category: Natural pet

These five-fingered, textured bathing and grooming gloves are made of nitrile, PVC and nylon to be allergy-friendly for horses, livestock, dogs, cats and other small animals. The scrubbing nodules work on wet and dry fur, and the gloves come in junior, small, medium, large and extra-large sizes.

Image courtesy of Walkin' Pets by HandicappedPets.com.Product:Walkin' Blind Dog Halo

Company: Walkin' Pets by HandicappedPets.com

Best in Show category: Small animal

The Walkin' Blind Dog Halo was designed to help visually impaired dogs move around safely. The lightweight, flexible halo is attached to either a harness or a vest, depending on the dog's size.

Product: Smart Scoops Goat's Milk Ice Cream

Company: Puppy Cake

Best in Show category: Boutique

Puppy Cake offers a wide range of treats for dogs, including Fido-friendly potato chips and cheesecake mixes, but its goats milk ice cream mix took top prize at the Global Pet Expo. The mix does not have to be refrigerated and comes in two flavors-blueberry and pumpkin. When ready to use, pet owners add water to the mix, stir it and put it in the freezer to create ice cream. (Editor's note: You can read more about this company and its appearance on Shark Tank here.)