Interzoo 2028: the international pet supplies trade fair

Interzoo is the international B2B trade fair for the pet supplies industry, organised by WZF GmbH. The next edition is scheduled for 23–26 May 2028 at Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Messezentrum 1, 90471 Nürnberg, Germany. It takes place every two years and serves professionals involved in pet food, accessories, animal care, aquatics, retail and related services.

For visitors, the value is not only the breadth of products. Interzoo gives buyers and other trade professionals an opportunity to compare product categories, discuss requirements with suppliers and follow developments across the international pet market. For exhibitors, the event offers a setting to present products and assess how they fit the needs of retailers, wholesalers, distributors and other professional customers.

Why Interzoo matters to the pet industry

Compare a broad supply range

The official product scope spans pet food and production technology, accessories and care products, aquatics and terrariums, animal products for home and garden, retail systems, packaging and supporting services. Visitors can use that breadth to set priorities by animal category, product function or business need rather than browsing without a plan.

Understand international market signals

Interzoo is a trade-only B2B event with an international exhibitor and visitor community. The organiser reported that the 2026 edition welcomed over 39,000 trade visitors from 133 countries and around 2,400 exhibitors from 70 countries. More than 87 per cent of exhibitors came from abroad, and more than 70 per cent of trade visitors were international. These are results for 2026, not a forecast for 2028.

Connect product discovery with business decisions

Product displays, specialist sessions and innovation formats can help professionals compare solutions and identify questions for follow-up. A useful visit turns observations into decisions: which products merit a closer technical review, which suppliers fit a defined portfolio, and which market developments should influence the next buying or product-planning cycle.

Latest published edition figures, 2026:

• Over 39,000 trade visitors from 133 countries.
• Around 2,400 exhibitors from 70 countries.
• 150,000 square metres of exhibition area, as reported by the organiser.
• More than 87 per cent of exhibitors came from abroad; half of those international exhibitors came from outside the European Union.
• More than 70 per cent of trade visitors came from outside Germany.
• 59 young companies and start-ups presented at the Young Innovators and International Start-up Area shared stands.

The 2026 figures demonstrate the event’s international scale and category breadth; they should be treated as historical context rather than a guarantee of the 2028 exhibitor mix or attendance.

Who should visit Interzoo?

Pet-product buyers and procurement teams

For buyers responsible for a pet-supplies assortment, Interzoo can support structured product and supplier comparisons across food, care, accessories and specialist categories. Prepare a target list before arrival and evaluate each option against your own criteria, such as product range, specifications, packaging, supply capacity and suitability for your customers.

• Compare products against a defined category gap or purchasing requirement.
• Ask suppliers about specifications, materials, pack formats and available product information.
• Record which products need samples, documentation or a second technical review.
• Separate products worth immediate follow-up from general market observations.

The organiser positions Interzoo as a trade fair for the professional pet sector; its 2026 report describes the event as a platform for information and procurement.

Pet retailers, wholesalers and distributors

Retail and distribution professionals can examine how products may complement an existing portfolio, compare categories and discuss distribution requirements with manufacturers. The breadth of the event makes it useful to consider not only individual products but also assortment balance, seasonal needs, price architecture and how products are presented to customers. These are evaluation topics for your business, not outcomes guaranteed by attendance.

• Identify products that fill a specific gap rather than collecting catalogues indiscriminately.
• Compare packaging, claims and product information supplied by different companies.
• Ask about wholesale terms, minimum order quantities, lead times and territory rights where relevant.
• Consider how an item fits store, online or combined sales channels.

Retailers, pet shops and wholesalers are named among the audiences for Interzoo’s visitor offer. German market data also shows the importance of both specialist and online channels; the implications are discussed in the country-market section below.

Groomers and pet-care professionals

Groomers and other pet-care professionals can focus on tools, care products, accessories and relevant developments in animal wellbeing. Use the event to compare practical features and product information, and to identify which products may suit the animals and services you work with. The 2026 edition included a dedicated Interzoo Groomers’ Day with live demonstrations, business insights and networking; the organiser reported around 200 participants. That was a 2026 programme item and is not confirmation of the 2028 schedule.

• Compare tools and care products by their intended use and practical handling.
• Ask for product-care instructions and supporting information.
• Note questions about suitability, maintenance or training that need independent follow-up.

Pet-food and pet-product manufacturers

Manufacturers can use the event to present products, learn how buyers discuss category needs and assess possible distribution or supply-chain conversations. Pet food is one of the largest product areas in the fair, alongside equipment and services for production, packaging and retail. Define the customer group and market segment you want to understand before planning meetings.

• Prepare a concise product explanation and a clear description of the customer need it addresses.
• Bring specifications and substantiation for product or ingredient claims that you are prepared to share.
• Identify relevant buyer, distributor or manufacturing conversations and agree a specific next step.
• Use feedback as market intelligence, not as proof of future demand.

The 2026 edition included the Petfood Forum Europe and a Sourcing Stage focused on cross-border procurement processes. These illustrate previous-edition activity; the 2028 programme should be checked when published.

Technology, packaging and service companies

Suppliers of pet-food processing technology, packaging, shop fittings, point-of-sale systems, inventory control, e-commerce and related services can consider how their offer connects with the wider pet-supplies value chain. Interzoo’s official product groups include manufacturing, packaging and retail-support categories, giving specialist suppliers a relevant professional context.

• Show how a solution addresses a specific production, packaging or retail workflow.
• Prepare clear technical information and questions about integration or service requirements.
• Use conversations to identify suitable applications and determine what evidence a prospective customer needs next.

What can you find at Interzoo?

The organiser’s published product range covers the following groups. The detailed range page describes the 2026 product classification; it is useful for understanding the event’s established scope, while the final 2028 exhibitor catalogue should be checked for edition-specific participants.

Food, nutrition and production

• Food and treats for dogs, cats, small animals, rodents, birds, ornamental fish, reptiles and other animals.
• Ingredients and raw materials for pet food.
• Processing, preservation, hygiene and environmental-protection technology.
• Packaging materials, packaging machinery and related equipment.

Products for companion animals

• Accessories, toys, grooming products, litter and care products for dogs and cats.
• Food, cages, habitats, accessories and care products for small animals and rodents.
• Bird food, cages, aviaries and accessories.
• Equestrian food supplements, grooming and care products, saddles, clothing and accessories.

Aquatics, terrariums and garden wildlife

• Aquariums, furniture, lighting, filters, pumps, heaters, measuring equipment, plants, food and accessories.
• Terrariums, heating and lighting systems, equipment, food, care products and accessories for reptiles and amphibians.
• Pond products, cold-water fish, pond plants, filters, pumps, fountains and pond-care supplies.
• Bird feeders, nesting boxes, wildlife food and products for animal protection in the garden.

Retail, services and supporting categories

• Shop construction, display shelves, fittings and decoration.
• Packaging equipment, materials, product labelling and accessories.
• Point-of-sale and inventory systems, e-commerce, trading and sales systems.
• Education, training, trade literature, multimedia, associations and other pet-industry services.
• Pet-related boutique products, home plants and decorative items listed in the organiser’s product range.

Use this list to build a visit plan, but confirm specific product availability with the official 2028 exhibitor and product information when it becomes available.

What makes Interzoo different?

Its distinguishing feature is the combination of a broad pet-supplies range and an international, trade-focused audience. Rather than concentrating on one animal category or one part of the supply chain, Interzoo spans consumer products, specialist equipment, food-production technology, retail systems and industry services.

The 2026 edition gives examples of how that breadth is expressed. The organiser reported 59 young companies and start-ups across shared stands, while 37 start-ups and established companies presented solutions on the Fresh Ideas Stage. A new Sourcing Stage addressed cross-border procurement processes. The 2026 programme also featured five Country Sessions, a dedicated sustainability conference attended by around 140 participants from 30 countries, and more than 110 conference sessions and events. These details describe 2026 only; they should not be read as a promise that the same formats, figures or speakers will return in 2028.

For visitors, the mix can make comparisons across adjacent product and service categories possible within one trade-fair visit. For exhibitors, it provides a setting to explain how a product fits into the professional pet-industry supply chain. The practical benefit depends on selecting the right categories and preparing purposeful conversations.

What should you try to achieve at Interzoo?

If you are a buyer

Set an objective such as: compare a short list of suppliers for one defined product category and identify the next checks for each. Decide in advance what matters most: product performance, ingredients, packaging, documentation, delivery, range fit or supplier support.

If you are a retailer or distributor

Choose a category and identify products that could fill a specific portfolio gap. Record the customer group, channel and commercial questions that determine whether a product merits further review.

If you are a groomer or care professional

Compare tools and care products against the services you provide. Ask about use, maintenance, training and supporting product information; note what you need to verify after the fair.

If you are exhibiting

Identify the professional customer groups you need to understand and the evidence they need to evaluate your offer. Define a realistic target for useful conversations, qualified follow-up questions or product feedback rather than assuming that footfall will translate into business.

How to prepare before Interzoo

1. Define your reason for attending

Write down the business decision you want to make. Examples include reviewing a product category, finding possible suppliers, comparing packaging or retail systems, learning about pet-food trends, or understanding how a product might fit a distribution portfolio. Choose a small number of priorities so that the breadth of the event does not become a distraction.

2. Build a target list

Use the organiser’s official exhibitor and product information when the 2028 directory is published. Group companies by category and mark each one as essential, useful or optional. For products or suppliers that are not yet listed, make a note to recheck the directory rather than relying on an old exhibitor list.

3. Prepare questions specific to your work

For pet food, ask about ingredients, formulation information, product formats, packaging and intended markets. For accessories and care products, prepare questions about materials, dimensions, use, maintenance and available product documentation. For equipment, packaging or retail technology, ask about specifications, integration, service, training and operating requirements. Verify any legal, safety or labelling question with an appropriately qualified source; the event page does not replace product-specific compliance advice.

4. Arrange priority conversations

Where the organiser provides a contact or meeting tool for the edition, use it to request meetings with the companies most relevant to your goals. A simple A/B/C system helps: A for must-meet companies, B for useful alternatives and C for exploration if time allows. Meeting availability should be confirmed directly with the organiser or exhibitor.

5. Set practical evaluation criteria

Before travelling, agree internally how you will compare products. Depending on your role, this could include product fit, evidence for claims, packaging, technical specifications, supply conditions, service needs and follow-up requirements. Do not assume that every question can be answered at a stand; identify the documents or tests needed after the event.

How to make the most of the exhibition

Work from your priorities rather than attempting to see every product group. Keep concise notes in a consistent format:

Company → product or solution → relevance → question or evidence needed → next action.

For example, a retailer comparing pet-care products might record the intended customer, product format, information supplied by the manufacturer and the terms or documentation to request later. A technology buyer might note the equipment specification, workflow it supports, integration questions and service requirements.

When you encounter a product that looks promising, distinguish what you have directly confirmed from what still needs checking. Capture the correct company contact and agree a practical next step. If the official 2028 programme includes sessions or special areas, add the ones that relate to your priorities and leave time between them for stand visits and follow-up conversations.

Use the exhibitor and product directory, official floor plan or visitor tools if the organiser makes them available for 2028. The current directory or programme from a previous edition should not be treated as a definitive guide to the next one.

Plan your time realistically

Interzoo is scheduled across four days. The time you need depends on the number of categories, meetings and programme sessions relevant to your work. A focused visit may be possible for a narrow buying brief, while a business covering several animal categories or product technologies may benefit from spreading priorities across more than one day.

Before the first visit period

Review your target companies, confirm meetings and identify the product groups that require the most attention. Keep a small reserve for unplanned but relevant discoveries.

During the day

Balance stand visits with any verified programme sessions. After a cluster of conversations, take a few minutes to record decisions and outstanding questions; this makes later supplier comparisons more reliable.

At the end of each day

Sort notes into immediate follow-up, further evaluation and general market intelligence. Adjust the next day’s plan based on what you learned rather than repeating the same route.

Beyond the exhibition floor: Interzoo programme examples

The organiser’s 2026 review describes a supporting programme designed around industry topics and professional exchange. Examples included the Petfood Forum Europe, the Sustainability Conference, the Fresh Ideas Stage, the Sourcing Stage, Country Sessions, the Product Showcase and Interzoo Groomers’ Day. The 2026 closing report also records more than 110 conference sessions and events.

These formats served different needs: pet-food professionals could follow manufacturing processes and ingredients; sustainability specialists could discuss practices and strategy; visitors to the Fresh Ideas Stage could see start-ups and established companies present concepts; and the Sourcing Stage addressed cross-border procurement. The Groomers’ Day included demonstrations and business-focused content.

These are historical examples, not a confirmed 2028 programme. When planning, check the organiser’s current programme and confirm dates, access conditions and any separate registration requirements for individual sessions.

Networking at Interzoo

Professional conversations are more useful when both sides know why they are talking. Prepare a short introduction that explains your role, the animal or product categories you work with and the kind of supplier, customer or technical information you are seeking.

• For buyers: state the category, product requirements and decision timetable you can share.
• For exhibitors: explain the product’s intended use, evidence available and the type of partner or feedback sought.
• For service and technology providers: describe the workflow or business problem addressed and the information needed to assess fit.
• For groomers and care professionals: identify the work context and product questions that matter in practice.

Close each useful conversation by agreeing what should happen next, who will send information and when it is appropriate to follow up. Record consent and contact details accurately, and do not treat a brief introduction as a confirmed commercial opportunity.

One day or several days at Interzoo?

A one-day visit may suit a defined category and a short list of priority meetings. Choose the most relevant exhibitors and programme items in advance and allow time to compare options rather than collecting information without review.

Two days can give buyers and retailers more time to compare several product groups, revisit shortlisted suppliers and attend selected sessions. A longer visit may be useful for professionals covering multiple animal categories, international sourcing or both products and production technology.

Use the 2028 directory and programme to make the decision. Do not assume that every part of the official product range will require equal attention, or that a longer visit is automatically more valuable; match the time to the decisions you need to make.

Bring a project brief to Interzoo

If you are sourcing for a store, distribution portfolio, grooming service or product-development project, prepare a concise brief. Include the animal or customer category, the product function, required formats or specifications, expected channel and the questions that must be answered before a purchasing or partnership decision.

For equipment and packaging, note the relevant workflow and any compatibility or service requirements. For pet-food and care products, collect the information needed for internal product, quality and compliance review. A clear brief helps you compare suppliers on consistent criteria and identify gaps that require further investigation.

After Interzoo: turn conversations into decisions

Follow-up is where observations become useful work. Within a few days, organise contacts and notes into three groups:

• A – Immediate review: products or suppliers that address a current need and require a specific next step.
• B – Further potential: options worth evaluating when more information, samples, technical documents or internal input are available.
• C – Market intelligence: trends, categories or business models to monitor without an immediate purchasing decision.

Send each contact a short reminder of the discussion and the information agreed. Ask for relevant catalogues, specifications, ingredient or material information, packaging details, service requirements, wholesale terms or delivery information as appropriate to the product. Compare evidence and conditions consistently across suppliers; do not make a decision from a demonstration or conversation alone.

For exhibitors, record which questions buyers asked repeatedly, what information was requested and which conversations merit a tailored response. Use those observations to refine product communication and assess possible market fit, while keeping expressions of interest separate from orders or confirmed partnerships.

Who should consider exhibiting at Interzoo?

Interzoo’s published product scope is relevant to manufacturers, brands, wholesalers, technology providers and service companies serving the professional pet industry. Product groups include pet food, ingredients and processing, accessories, animal care, aquatics, terrariums, packaging, shop fittings and retail systems.

The 2026 edition included around 2,400 exhibitors from 70 countries, with over 87 per cent coming from abroad. Those figures describe the previous edition and should not be treated as a projection for 2028. Companies considering participation should review the organiser’s current exhibitor information for availability, stand options, deadlines, regulations and service requirements.

Set an exhibiting objective

• Introduce a new product to a defined professional audience.
• Understand buyer requirements in one or more pet-product categories.
• Evaluate potential distributor, retail or technical-service conversations.
• Present production, packaging or retail technology to relevant businesses.
• Collect structured feedback and define qualified follow-up actions.

Choose an objective that can be evaluated after the fair. Participation does not guarantee leads, orders or partnerships; results depend on product fit, preparation, follow-up and commercial conditions.

Interzoo visitor checklist

Before the fair

• ☐ Define the decisions you want to make and the product categories that matter.
• ☐ Check the official 2028 exhibitor directory, programme and visitor information when published.
• ☐ Prioritise companies and request meetings where appropriate.
• ☐ Prepare product, sourcing, technical or distribution questions for your role.
• ☐ Confirm the daily opening schedule and any separate programme access requirements.

During the fair

• ☐ Compare products using consistent criteria and capture evidence still needed.
• ☐ Record company, product, relevance, contact and next action.
• ☐ Balance stand visits with programme sessions that support your objectives.
• ☐ Distinguish confirmed information from claims requiring later verification.

After the fair

• ☐ Sort contacts by urgency and potential relevance.
• ☐ Send agreed follow-up requests and record response dates.
• ☐ Compare supplier information, specifications and terms before deciding.
• ☐ Share relevant market observations with your team.

Is Interzoo worth visiting?

Interzoo is most relevant to professionals whose work involves pet food, pet products, animal care, retail, wholesale, distribution, equipment or supporting services. Its broad product scope and international participation can support supplier comparisons, category research and professional exchange. A visitor with a clear brief is more likely to leave with useful information than someone who tries to cover everything without priorities.

The event’s published scale is substantial, but attendance figures do not ensure that a particular supplier, product or session will meet your needs. Check the 2028 directory and programme, choose a focused set of objectives and plan how you will evaluate and follow up what you find.

Interzoo 2028 at a glance

The dates, venue, organiser, cycle and daily hours are stated by the organiser; the scale figures above describe the 2026 edition.

Make your Interzoo visit purposeful

Interzoo can help professionals discover products, compare suppliers and understand developments across the pet-supplies chain. Define the questions that matter to your business, focus on the categories that fit your role and turn useful conversations into clear follow-up. Discover. Compare. Evaluate. Follow up.

Pet supplies and pet food opportunities in Germany

Market size and demand

According to the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (ZZF), the German pet industry recorded almost 7 billion euros in sales in 2025. The total combines several consumer-market channels and categories; it is not a measure of wholesale sales, trade-fair revenue or demand for any single product. ZZF reported about 4.3 billion euros in pet-food sales in 2025, nearly unchanged from the previous year, and just under 1.1 billion euros in stationary-retail sales for pet supplies and accessories, down 4.6 per cent. Online pet-product sales were estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros in 2025, up 0.6 per cent, while category-specific online data was not available.

Market drivers and commercial opportunities

ZZF reports that German pet owners increasingly use multiple purchase channels: 61 per cent spent on pet products both in stores and online. The association also reports that specialist retail remained the principal channel for supplies and accessories, accounting for 76 per cent of stationary sales in that segment in 2025. These figures describe consumer retail patterns and do not establish demand for a particular brand or product.

• Assess pet-food range fit: manufacturers and distributors may compare food formats, ingredients, packaging and product information against a large but nearly flat 2025 category. Market totals do not show demand by price point or company.
• Review specialist-retail positioning: suppliers of accessories, care and grooming products may investigate how their ranges fit specialist retailers, where most stationary sales in the segment occurred. The 2025 category declined, so buyers should examine product-level performance and competition.
• Consider cross-channel product presentation: retailers and suppliers may review packaging, product data and retail-support systems for businesses selling through both stores and online. ZZF’s reported multi-channel behaviour indicates channel overlap, not guaranteed digital growth for an individual product.

Regulations and market-entry conditions

Product-specific German and European requirements were not verified for this guide. Pet food, animal-care products, equipment and consumer accessories can fall under different rules; businesses should check the requirements applicable to each product, its claims and their role in placing it on the market before making commercial decisions.

What this means for exhibitors

Exhibitors may use Interzoo to test whether their product range, packaging or retail-support offer merits further investigation with German buyers and distributors. The ZZF figures provide national context, not evidence of access to buyers, profitability or a supply gap. Product-level demand, competitive positioning, compliance and commercial terms require separate assessment.

What this means for visitors

Visitors can use the event to compare products and suppliers against German channel patterns, including the importance of specialist retail and the use of both in-store and online purchasing. Buyers may ask suppliers how product information, packaging and service support fit their own channels, then validate performance and regulatory details independently.