Podcast: Field Notes from Global Pet Expo 2026

From protein-packed promises to longevity claims and humanized pet products, Global Pet Expo 2026 delivered no shortage of creativity, but clarity was harder to come by.

In this episode of Barking Mad, host Jordan Tyler and David Perez, who has formulated thousands of pet nutrition products throughout his career, take you inside the New Product Showcase to separate true innovation from smart marketing—a line that’s becoming ever fuzzier in today’s pet industry.

While a few formats like bone broth chews and goat’s milk “ice cream” surprised us, much of the nutrition space felt like déjà vu, driven by recycled claims and trending buzzwords. At the same time, categories like functional diets, supplements, humanized treats, and cat care—as well as lifestyle and enrichment products—are evolving rapidly. In the end, the fundamentals still hold true: balanced nutrition, credible research, and a healthy dose of skepticism matter more in the long term than today’s hottest trends.

What You’ll Learn 🔍

• How humanization continues to shape pet product development
• Why certain buzzwords may be more marketing than nutritional necessity for pets
• The difference between structure/function claims and drug claims in supplements
• What “clean-label,” “natural,” and other widespread marketing terms really mean
• Emerging trends in functional products, longevity, and cat innovation

Curious which trends are worth your attention and which might need more evidence? Tune in today and join the conversation!

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About the Author

Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners and co-host of the Barking Mad podcast. She has more than seven years of experience reporting on trends, best practices and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Jordan resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their three furry family members.