APPA Blog

Staying Ahead of Trade Changes: Why APPA Is Your Strategic Partner in 2026

Patrick O'Brien — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:42:51 GMT

As APPA members start off 2026, one thing is clear: tariffs, trade rules, and supply-chain pressures are not going away, but neither is APPA’s commitment to helping you navigate them with practical, business-focused guidance.

Over the past several months, we’ve hosted open office hours to answer member questions in real time, along with a monthly video update and we have published a series of member focused Trade Talks recaps and analysis pieces that together form a roadmap for pet industry leaders. These updates focus on three big themes: protecting your rights under the current tariff regime, rethinking manufacturing strategy, and staying ahead of fast-moving legal and policy changes.

IEEPA Tariffs: A Possible Roadmap for APPA Members as the Clock Ticks Down

Patrick O'Brien — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:53:20 GMT

In the closing segment of APPA’s latest Trade Talks update, customs expert Rebecca Rizutti delivered a clear, practical message to importers: time is no longer abstract when it comes to IEEPA and reciprocal tariffs. The liquidation clock is running, and APPA members need to decide now, how they want to position themselves for potential refunds.

Manufacturing in the Pet Industry: Challenges and Opportunities in a Shifting Trade Climate

APPA Team — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

For APPA members, manufacturing strategy has never been more complex. The pet industry continues to grow and evolve, yet companies are making decisions in an environment defined by shifting trade rules, capacity constraints, and rapidly changing consumer expectations.
Despite that volatility, there are real opportunities for pet product manufacturers, suppliers, and brand owners who approach this moment with a long-term, data-driven lens.

Research Shows: Why Bird Ownership Is the Pet Industry’s Most Overlooked High-Engagement Category

APPA Team — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:00:01 GMT

Bird ownership rarely dominates conversations about the growth of the pet industry, but that may be precisely why it deserves closer attention. Beneath the surface, the category is exhibiting a set of characteristics that many larger segments struggle to achieve: high owner engagement, strong reliance =on specialty retail, and rising discretionary spend driven by emotional connection rather than necessity.

Data from APPA’s 2025 Bird, Small Animal & Horse Report shows that bird owners are not casual participants. They actively seek expert guidance, invest in enrichment and long-term care, and increasingly purchase gifts that reflect a deeper bond with their pets. In an industry often focused solely on scale, bird ownership highlights a different growth equation, where trust, education, and experience create lasting value.

For manufacturers and retailers, this reframes how success should be measured within the category. Bird ownership is not simply holding steady; it is demonstrating how smaller segments can deliver outsized opportunities when engagement, expertise, and premium behavior converge.

New Demand for Custom Aquariums & Enriched Environments: What Today’s Fish & Reptile Owners Want Most

APPA Team — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:00:02 GMT

Habitat design has become a defining priority for today’s fish and reptile owners, reshaping both the emotional and practical dimensions of pet care. What was once considered a basic setup—a tank, a terrarium, a few essential accessories—has evolved into a carefully curated environment that reflects an owner’s commitment to long-term wellness, enrichment, and personalized care. APPA’s 2025 Fish & Reptile Report reveals the significant shift that has occurred: half of fish owners now own acrylic tanks, custom-built aquariums are rising sharply among saltwater enthusiasts, and Interest in reptile enrichment furniture has surged, with more owners planning to purchase these products (a 56% increase since 2018).

This growth represents more than an interest in premium products; it reflects a cultural shift similar to what we’ve seen across the broader pet industry. Owners increasingly approach habitat quality in the same way they approach their own environments—prioritizing comfort, aesthetics, personalization, and long-term health outcomes. For many, aquariums and terrariums are no longer functional enclosures; they are intentional, wellness-driven ecosystems designed to support natural behaviors and enhance daily living for both pets and owners.

As a result, modern habitats have transitioned from optional upgrades to essential components of responsible pet ownership.

Costco’s Tariff Refund Lawsuit: What It Signals for APPA Members

APPA Team — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:33:15 GMT

In the opening minutes of APPA’s latest Trade Talks tariff update, our experts zeroed in on one headline: Costco’s new federal lawsuit challenging Trump’s emergency tariff orders on imported goods. For pet product importers, this case is more than political theater, it’s a playbook for how to protect your own tariff refund rights.

Here are the key takeaways for APPA members.

The Boom in Pet Wellness: How Supplements Are Reshaping the Market

APPA Team — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:00:04 GMT

Pet wellness has become a defining priority for today’s dog and cat owners, and supplements now sit at the center of that shift. More than half of dog owners (53%) give their pets vitamins or supplements, and one-third of cat owners do the same; a 6% increase from both in 2023. Over a six-year period, supplement use has surged 56% among dog owners and 70% among cat owners, signaling a sustained, long-term commitment to proactive care.

This growth reflects a broader cultural shift: owners are increasingly approaching pet health in the same way they approach their own, prioritizing daily routines, preventive care, and long-term wellness investments. Supplements have transitioned from an optional extra to an essential component of the modern pet household.

How Emotional Bonds with Fish & Reptiles Drive Business Opportunities

APPA Team — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Long associated with dog and cat ownership, the emotional dynamic between a pet and their owner is one of the driving forces of the pet industry. Now, the trend is emerging among fish and reptile owners, who were once categorized as more observational or hobby-driven. APPA’s 2025 Fish & Reptile Report reveals that owners of fish, turtles, snakes, and other reptiles are forming deep bonds with their pets, and expressing that connection through gift purchases, personalized habitats, enrichment, and even long-term care planning.

These behaviors point to a fundamental shift. Owners no longer view fish and reptiles as passive pets or “starter” animals. Instead, they are seen as meaningful companions whose well-being deserves thoughtful investment. For brands and retailers, this evolution represents a new era of opportunity: one where emotional value directly fuels demand for premium products, enriched environments, and lifestyle-driven accessories.

Tariffs, Trade Policy and Your Pet Business: 3 Big Takeaways from APPA’s December Update

APPA Team — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:09:55 GMT

During APPA’s December Trade Talks video update on tariffs and trade policy, Craig Brightup, Rafe Morrissey and Rebecca Rizutti unpacked how current U.S. tariff policy is hitting pet product imports, what the recent Costco tariff refund lawsuit really signals, and what APPA members should be doing now to protect their businesses.

Here are the top three takeaways for companies across the pet industry supply chain, from manufacturers and brand owners to importers, distributors and retailers.

Research Insights on Premium & Functional Pet Foods

APPA Team — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:00:00 GMT

As pets' position shifts to that of a family member, many pet owners are increasingly focused on delivering not only a luxurious lifestyle but also a high-quality, sustainable diet. This shift has elevated premium and functional pet foods from a trending topic to a transformation unfolding in how owners approach their pets' nutrition. APPA’s latest research reveals that wellness has become the new standard in pet feeding, with owners trading up to premium diets and layering in functional ingredients to support health, bowl to bone. For brands and retailers, this evolution signals opportunity across product innovation, merchandising, and marketing.