Honoring the Best in Pet: BlogPaws Best Award Winners at Global Pet Expo 2025
One of the greatest benefits of working in the pet space is the incredible passion and dedication shown across the industry. From product development teams pushing the boundaries with a goal of better pet care solutions to brands supporting charitable efforts for pets in need. It’s hard to look anywhere in the world of pet and not see incredible things happening.
This is why we firmly believe this incredible passion, innovation, and dedication deserves to be celebrated!
Recently, three members of the BlogPaws team (Chloe, Jessica, and Britt) attended Global Pet Expo, one of the largest pet industry trade shows in North America. With over 3,500 booths to explore and 1,000+ new products, there was much to discover. But we’re excited to come back and share what we felt were the biggest highlights from the show.
The BlogPaws Best Awards Explained
If you’re new to the community, you may be wondering: What is BlogPaws Best, anyway? So, let’s start at the beginning.
First launched in 2012, the BlogPaws Best Awards were created to highlight pet brands that are helping to push the industry forward through innovation, dedication, and education. These awards were a way to celebrate those who were shaping the future of pet care and pet parenting, one product at a time.
In August 2002, the team refreshed and reintroduced the awards while attending SuperZoo 2022. Since then, the BlogPaws team has celebrated over 100 incredible brands and products.
You can see our previous winners here:
This year, we introduced a fun new twist to the coveted awards, inviting members of the BlogPaws Community to nominate the products that caught their attention. We received many amazing nominations and wish we could have awarded them all, but after careful consideration, we have narrowed our list of winners down to 18.
Note: BlogPaws is not affiliated with Global Pet Expo, American Pet Products Association (APPA), or Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). BlogPaws Best awards are presented solely by BlogPaws and are in no way endorsed, sponsored, administered, or associated with Global Pet Expo.
Introducing the BlogPaws Best Award Winners from Global Pet Expo 2025
Best New Product: Double Fusion Cat Food by Catit
Recognizing the benefits of raw and freeze-dried foods, many pet parents are exploring their options. However, cats are notoriously picky about their food, including not only the taste but, as Catit’s explained, Catit’s expert nutritionist Sandra Grossman explained to us, also the texture. This is where Catit’s Double Fusion Cat Food really stands out
Rather than just mixing freeze-dried pieces into a standard kibble, they developed a new process that addressed these concerns by creating a cat food that offers the benefits of freeze-dried raw with the familiar, and often more acceptable (in a cat’s eyes) texture of a kibble.
“Our kibbles are infused with small, freeze-dried bites during the extrusion process, creating a unique texture in each kibble that closely resembles natural food options and is likely to prevent food boredom,” Grossman explained. “The inhomogeneous freeze-dried bites are integrated into the dry formula and distributed throughout the process into the kibble matrix.”
We are excited to see Catit introducing new options to meet the nutritional needs of our kitties that would also pass the picky cat inspection!
Most Innovative Product: Purobot Ultra Automatic Cat Litter Box by PETKIT
Living in a modern world, we constantly see new technology incorporated into every aspect of our lives, including the pet care space. As tech geeks, the team is always checking out the new tech. This year, PETKIT’s Purobot Ultra Automatic Cat Litter Box caught our attention. Not only does this automatic litter box offer 20 safety sensors and impressive odor control, but its use of AI could be a game changer for our cats!
The box has an IPX-5 waterproof 180-degree tracking camera with infrared night vision monitoring your cat’s bathroom routine. With the help of AI, it uses facial recognition to identify which cat is using the box, giving more accurate data for those with multi-cat homes. The camera can also be rotated around to offer an at-home view for pet parents, letting you check in on your furry friends when you’re not home.
However, the use of cameras and AI technology is most prevalent in the way the box tracks your pet’s health. The camera captures images of your cat’s stool or litter clumps (urine), scanning for signs of trouble, including stool color, consistency, and clump size. If a problem is detected, you can pull stool images from the app to show your veterinarian, offering one more tool to help them make a diagnosis.
Not only will a box like this make sharing your life with a cat more accessible, but it can also help you prioritize their health – and that is a win/win!
Best Emerging Brand: Paw-lymorph Pet Toys
The one-of-a-kind toys from Paw-lymorph instantly caught our team’s attention, especially Jessica’s! These fun toys are inspired by tabletop gaming, allowing pet parents to bring their best furry friend and their favorite hobby together in a way that had us all smiling (and making our wishlists).
“While I was walking down an aisle on the show floor, my eyes were immediately drawn to the Paw-lymorph booth. It was full of bright colors and dog toys different from what I’d ever seen before,” explained BlogPaws CMO, Jessica Shipman. “As I got closer, I was not disappointed by the creativity of the products and the passion of Paw-lymorph’s Founder, Jason Gomez.”
Founded in 2010, the company began with a mission to make a special toy for a miniature schnauzer named Otto. From here, with the help of Kickstarter, the founders created their D20 Dog Dice, a food-grade rubber treat-dispensing toy. Its success made it clear to the founders that they had found “their people,” and they set out to create even more toys in the classic RPG style for both dogs and cats, including catnip-filled daggers and spell books that double as snuffle toys.
Their creativity sets them apart!
Best Dog Product: Probiotic Treats Mix by Paws N Chews
Every dog deserves a special treat from time to time, but what if that treat not only made their tail wag but also had health benefits? Functional treats are gaining popularity, but we were genuinely impressed by Paws N Chews Probiotic Treats.
Made from fermented goat milk, freeze-dried, and formed into easy-to-feed bite-sized treats, the company states the treats offer an impressive 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) in each serving. Studies into the probiotic potential of goat milk have shown benefits in gut health. Goat milk has also been credited for reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and relieving allergies.
The treats are available in a variety of flavors to suit every dog, including pumpkin, mango, raspberry, and blueberry. Or, if you’re unsure what your dog would like best, they have a mixed-bag option. You can feed them as a soft, chewy treat or crumble the goat milk onto their food.
These are sure to make giving probiotics to even the pickiest pups a breeze, and that’s something worth celebrating!
Best Cat Product: Coconut Husk Ball Toy for Cats by Nutties
We all know that dental care is vital for the health and well-being of our cats. However, most cats are less than enthused about the idea of a toothbrush. With three cats at home, I can honestly say that there isn’t one who will accept having their teeth brushed without it becoming a whole ordeal (and scratches along my arms to prove it). That’s why I was so intrigued to learn more when we heard about the Coconut Husk Ball Toy for Cats by Nutties.
The toy appears very simple at first glance, but sometimes simplicity is the key to something great.
It’s made from coconut husk fiber with a blend of catnip and silvervine in a pouch inside, enticing the cat to scratch and play. A tail with hand-carved coffee wood beads further adds to the temptation. As they chew at the ball, the fiber of the toy cleans their teeth and gums.
With approximately 70% of cats developing periodontal disease by age three, this toy is a game-changer for cat parents everywhere – a simple yet effective way to clean your cat’s teeth and improve their overall health.
Best Small Pet Product: Burrow Bricks by Happy Habitats
Providing enrichment in the form of hideaways, tunnels, and places to explore is a key consideration for providing small animals like hamsters and mice with a happy, fulfilled life. During the show, we had the opportunity to see a new and innovative product being introduced by the team at Happy Habitats called Burrow Bricks.
These little structures are 3” x 3” squares, but the unique feature is that they can be disassembled into individual pieces and combined to create mazes, elaborate castles, and more. Burrow Bricks come with several different pieces, including solid walls (with air holes for proper ventilation), wall spaces with an exit hole, exit hole covers, and connectable tunnels.
Not only were we happy to see such attention to the mental and physical well-being of our pocket pets, but we also loved that this product made it possible for pet parents to continually change and update the habitat, helping to eliminate boredom. It’s a great way to improve their quality of life and (for those creative minds among us) to have fun doing it.
Best Aquatic Product: Fluval VISI White Aquarium
Too often, we fall into the trap of seeing all aquariums the same, but the Fluval VISI White Aquarium proves that isn’t the case. Made with colorless glass with low iron content, it offers a surprisingly clear view of your pets within. After all, you didn’t set up that beautiful aquarium to not enjoy the view of the flourishing life within.
“I don’t always pay attention to aquariums while at the show, despite loving fish, because I don’t see a ton of innovation in the space. When I first saw the Fluval VISI White Aquarium, it was like watching TV in HD for the first time all over again,” said Jessica Shipman, BlogPaws CMO. “There’s so many benefits to sharing your home with fish, and now we can see their colors and movements crystal clear.”
It’s available in a variety of sizes (10.7 to 53.6 gal) for passionate aquarium keepers of all levels, from beginners falling in love with the beauty of aquarium life to the most experienced aquarists setting up elaborate tank setups.
In addition to allowing a better view, it also offers a functional benefit. The crystal-clear glass allows natural light to pass through more effectively, which is necessary for the growth of coral and plants in a living aquarium setup. As far as our team is concerned, the only question left is what aquatic life you plan to enjoy.
Best Enrichment Product: Beginner Set by Pawzler
There is an undeniable love of enrichment in the pet space, and for good reason! Studies have shown that regular enrichment can reduce anxiety-related behaviors by 47% and decrease destructive behaviors at home by 63%!
With so many enrichment toys, there are always fun and adorable new products to see. But it’s especially exciting when a company finds a way to introduce something new and unique to the space – and that’s why we are so excited to celebrate the Beginner Set by Pawzler!
Pawzler was nominated by Emily Hall from KittyCatGo. In her nomination, she shared, “I love how this food puzzle is modular! You can buy pieces in sets or individually and put them together in different ways to make your pet’s food puzzle different every time.”
Best Technology Product: Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo by Birdfy
Most of the products we focus on when attending a show like Global Pet Expo are for the pets inside our home. But as animal lovers, there are a few products that allow us to get closer to the incredible wildlife all around us. One product we all agreed we would love to have in our homes is the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo.
Nominated by Maggie Marton, the blogger behind Oh My Dog! and author of the upcoming book “For the Love of Dog,” this bird feeder is genuinely in a class of its own!
“This is the coolest immersive bird-watching feeder I’ve seen,” Maggie shared. “I love wildlife cameras and gadgets, and this one seems to have it all: auto-tracking dual cameras to bird watch from all angles, slow motion, and the camera’s tech and app combo help you capture the birds that visit your feeder and identify them so you can know who’s visiting.“
The incredible detail in the high-quality images that this feeder captures will make you feel like you’re up close and personal with your neighborhood birds.
Best Health Product: Pet Intolerance Test by Glacier Peak Holistics
As pet parents, we all want to do whatever we can to prioritize the health and well-being of our pets. This is clear with the growing trend of home care products – a trend that we love seeing as loving pet parents ourselves! That’s why we couldn’t agree more when we saw this nomination from Cathy Armato, Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them.
The Pet Intolerance Test by Glacier Peak Holistics uses Biofeedback technology to identify intolerances and sensitivities, providing you with actionable recommendations, including dietary changes and supplements that can help improve their lives.
“There are a lot of home tests for pets, but this new product covers a huge variety of substances pets may have an intolerance for; food, environmental, and household substances,” Cathy explained. “I love that it’s super easy for Pet parents to use. No blood tests, no desperately trying to capture a urine sample. All you need is to swab inside the cheek with a cotton swab and get some fur samples (you can even get them from their brush!). The results report is simple to read, clear large print, with results provided in simple terms. Everything you need to collect the sample is provided. You just mail it in the envelope provided. Pet parents want to take control of their dog’s health in a simple way, and they don’t want guesswork!”
Do you have a cat at home? Good news! The test also works for them, too!
Best Grooming Product: Tear Stain Eye Balm Butter for Dogs by HICC Pet
Keeping our pets fresh and clean can take a lot of work, especially for those with more extensive grooming needs. While some products are easy and effective, we as a team find that many products leave something to be desired when it comes to convenience for us, the pet parents. Of course, when we’re fumbling to try to make something work, that means we’re also cutting into our pets’ play time!
One thing that caught our eye about the HICC Pet Tear Stain Eye Balm Butter for Dogs was the unique twist-up tube design. There was no need to worry about messy creams or liquids, and it cut back on the excessive waste created by wipe-style cleaners. The easy-to-use stick can be applied quickly and without fuss, addressing tear stains in a fraction of the time.
In addition to cleaning up existing tear stains, the unique formulation helps soothe any irritation in the delicate eye area and prevent staining in the future. Any brand that finds that balance between effectiveness and convenience has discovered the secret to a happy pet parent!
Best Accessible Product: UpBowl
Being a pet parent is a blessing, one that we believe everyone should have the chance to enjoy. That is why we love seeing companies find new and innovative ways to make caring for a pet more accessible for everyone.
UpBowl instantly grabbed our attention by addressing a common struggle for elderly, disabled, or recovering pet parents to be able to provide for their pets – the challenge of bending down to place a food or water dish on the ground. For someone able-bodied, that may not seem like much. But imagine being unable to carry out a task as vital for your pet’s health and well-being.
The bowl features a connection spot in the middle and a long handle that can easily be clipped into the bowl with minimal effort. With this extended handle, placing the bowl on the ground while still standing is easy. The handle can then be removed with a simple turn.
Not only does this help those who struggle to bend over, but it also has significant value to those volunteering in rescues and shelters. Keeping their hands away from the dish allows them to safely feed dogs who are aggressive, reactive, or prone to resource-guarding their food.
“I always seek out products that make a task most of us take for granted and help other people accomplish it,” BlogPaws CEO, Chloe DiVita, shared. “Meal time is an important time for everyone, and UpBowl is helping everyone be able to enjoy it.”
This one incredible invention can open the door to pet parenthood for people around the world, and for that, we believe they deserve recognition!
Best Sustainable Organization: Pet Sustainability Coalition
One shift in the pet space that was incredibly prevalent throughout this year’s show was the number of brands and pet professionals actively prioritizing sustainability in their operations – a change necessary for the industry to continue to thrive for years to come!
At the center of all the sustainability-related discussions was one organization driving change and inspiring others to take a step forward: The Pet Sustainability Coalition.
Not only did the organization have a presence at the show with their own booth, but they were instrumental in the organization of the Sustainability Pavilion, bringing together brands with a shared commitment to a more sustainable future.
At the Sustainability Pavilion, a stage showcased a full lineup of speakers each day, sharing unique insights and information about sustainability trends, challenges faced by brands within the pet space trying to improve their operations and lessen their impact, and more.
“We are so encouraged that sustainability is no longer a niche concept and has truly gone mainstream,” Jim Lamancusa, Executive Director of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, shared. “Second only to the health of our fur babies, sustainability is a critical driver to purchasing decisions made by consumers. In fact, sustainable products have grown twice as fast as conventional ones in the past 10 years. This is creating a true win-win where business’s customer loyalty and growth increase at the same time as we reduce our impact on the planet.”
The impressive efforts put forth by The Pet Sustainability Coalition are making a lasting impact on the industry and its ability to continue empowering pet parents for generations to come.
Most Charitable Brand: Rovercoat
One common thread that connects us all in the pet space is our passion for our pets and their amazing impact on our lives. This is why it hits so hard (in the best way) when we find a brand dedicated to making a difference.
Rovercoat Canine Rainwear was inspired by Bear, an outdoor-loving dog who lives in rainy Portland, Oregon. The jackets, available both as a shell and a fleece-lined jacket, are 100% waterproof, breathable, and designed to fit dogs of all shapes and sizes with their adjustable straps. But the reason we are celebrating the brand isn’t specifically their high-quality rain gear – it’s what they are doing with them.
Recognizing the extraordinary power and impact of therapy dogs to bring comfort and support to those in need, they began their mission of supporting local therapy dogs by partnering with the team at Dove Lewis to provide jackets to the therapy dogs from Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams (PACTT).
Thank you to Rovercoat for caring for these incredible pups!
Most Engaging Booth: Heckova!
When walking the floor at a trade show the size of Global Pet Expo, you see A LOT of different booths – but despite the vast array of products and displays, they are often very similar in their setup. However, every now and then, you come across a booth that goes above and beyond to create a memorable experience for show attendees and stand out in their minds in the days and weeks that follow the show.
For the BlogPaws team, that booth was the talking dog from Heckova! Dog Food. Yes, I mean an actual talking dog – telling jokes and having conversations with people on the floor about their show experience.
Sure, the dog wasn’t actually talking, but the clever design of the booth certainly gave the illusion that it was! We saw many great things that day at the show, but we all left at the end of the day still talking about this chatty pup, a clear sign of effective marketing and one that deserves to be recognized.
Best Brand Rebrand: Earthly Pet
Having entered the pet space over 15 years ago, the team at Earthy Pet is anything but new to the world of pets and pet care. They are the creative geniuses behind several well-known brands, including Pill Buddy Naturals, Off Leash, Earthbones, and Cat Sushi. But they made an exciting announcement at this year’s Global Pet Expo…
Once known as Presidio, the company undertook a full rebrand, complete with new packaging, name, and messaging. Everything about the brand’s appearance was updated and refreshed into something eye-catching, modern, and effective.
Throughout this change, we were impressed by the company’s communication, assuring their loyal customers that their core philosophy, the team, recipes, and commitment to their pets all remained unchanged.
We recognize the massive undertaking of a company rebrand and want to celebrate this job well done!
Best Brand Refresh: Veterinary Formula
Some package refreshes fly under the radar, making simple color or design changes without making waves. However, some refreshes touch us emotionally, drawing us in and making us fall even further in love with everything the brand stands for.
Our love of the packaging Veterinary Formula introduced on their Smart Vitality Supplements came not just from the appearance (although it looks great). We were drawn in by the pet drawings featured on each product. Highlighting the company’s “Because We’re Pet Parents Too” campaign, each package showcases an image of a pet owned by one of SynergyLabs’ employees.
It’s a fun, personal touch that showcases the company’s love for animals and helps to build a more authentic connection with pet lovers everywhere.
Best Packaging: Pumpkin Pupcake by Swell Gelato
Packaging is important for many reasons. It’s the first thing customers see when browsing for product options, but it also needs to keep the integrity and structure of the product intact through transport, shipping, and more.
Swell’s newest product, the Pumpkin Pupcake, also launched with a new type of packaging to keep the Pupcake protected. During our visit to their booth, it was clear how proud they were of the packaging. Not only is it cute and in alignment with their already well branded business, but it is also very functional.
We stopped by right at the end of the show, and the Swell team shared how they’d been moving – essentially shaking – their packaging for the past three days and the Pupcake was still intact and as cute as ever. We, of course, don’t recommend that you shake your Swell Pumpkin Pupcake, but any packaging that is both cute and functional deserves recognition in our book.
Each brand featured above is working hard to move the pet industry forward. With their innovation and passion, they are propelling the world of pet care forward, making it possible to give our pets the best possible quality of life. Congratulations to all the winners!
Which brand or product from this list stands out to you? Is there an option you’d like to learn more about? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
About the Author: Britt Kascjak, BlogPaws Director of Content & SEO, is an award-winning freelance writer whose background in digital and social media marketing spans 15+ years. She’s been a content creator in the pet industry for 9+ years with her own blogs: Shed Happens, The Kas Pack, and Lucifer the Rescue Pup where she shares her life and outdoor adventures with her 2 dogs and 3 cats. Read more…
