Skip to main content

The takeaway from the Global Pet Expo, at which 985 exhibitors of pet products were spread out over 13 football fields’ worth of real estate in the Orange County Convention Center here, is that people really love their dogs

Open this photo in gallery:

An inflatable dog from Adams on the exhibition floor at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

1 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of a dog eats from the Slo-bowl from Kyjen, which is designed to make it harder for dogs to bolt their food. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

2 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the iFetch ball launcher, which allows dogs to launch the balls themselves. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

3 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the steel, bamboo and ultra suede Drayton Daybed from Achitect Pets. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

4 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the Kong Anxiety Reducing Shirt. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

5 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

The Wipe It, a dog drool product, at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

6 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

Pet Gear strollers at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

7 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

Brooke Martin holds her iCPooch, a video chat and dog treat dispenser she invented, at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

8 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

The Slo-Bowl, a product aimed at slowing down how fast dogs feed, at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

9 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of a Push Pushi raincoat, with awning-like hood. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

10 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

Fetchbees, a disc thrower for playing with dogs, at the Global Pet Expo in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., March 12, 2014. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's event, dog products dominated the Pet Expo.TODD ANDERSON/The New York Times

11 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the Tuggo, which weighs 20 pounds when filled with water, which provides enough resistance for a large dog to play tug-of-war with itself. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

12 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of Vela Pet Bowls from Architect Pets, made of acacia wood and stainless steel. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

13 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of heart-shared Paw Pods, biodegradable burial containers. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

14 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the Architect Pets Astoria Cat Set, made of bamboo. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

15 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of Mr. Drew's Tribeca Pet Diners. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

16 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of a dog puzzle from Kyjen. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

17 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of a hand-smocked Liberty dog dress from Oscar Newman Luxury Pet Couture. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

18 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the K-9 Kannon Mini. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

19 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the Be Forever Furless Lilly Brush. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

20 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of a dog puzzle from Kyjen. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

21 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo Pet Tunes, about $50 each, tiny speakers that play music designed to soothe anxious pets, from Pet Acoustics. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

22 of 23
Open this photo in gallery:

An undated handout photo of the Bauhaus-influenced Atria Lounger from Architect Pets. Americans spent $55.72 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, and at this year's Global Pet Expo, dog products dominated the floor.HANDOUT/The New York Times

23 of 23

Interact with The Globe