In brief: PATS 2026 drew 6,505 pet-trade visitors and occupied 20% more exhibition space than the previous event, according to figures supplied by the organizers. The growth points to continued interest in face-to-face buying and product discovery, but it does not by itself prove stronger retail sales or consumer demand.
Pet Business World reported on October 6, 2026, that PATS 2026 welcomed a record number of visitors to its three-day trade event at the NEC Birmingham. Organizers counted 6,505 pet retailers, buyers and other industry professionals, compared with 6,021 in 2025—an increase of about 8%.
A larger show with more international reach
More than 600 brands exhibited at this year's event, while the show used 20% more floor space than it did a year earlier. Organizers also introduced an International Pavilion and a hosted-buyer program intended to connect exhibitors with buyers from Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The expanded format included dedicated areas for grooming, aquatics and live-animal education alongside the main product exhibition. Taken together, the attendance and floor-space figures show that suppliers, distributors and retailers were willing to commit more time and space to an in-person trade event.
That matters because trade shows remain one of the places where pet businesses can compare products directly, discuss distribution and hear retailer feedback before deciding what to stock. For smaller brands, an international buyer program may also create opportunities that are harder to reach through individual sales meetings.
What the numbers mean for dog owners
A larger trade show can eventually lead to more products appearing in stores and online. It can also make it easier for retailers to compare competing designs and ask suppliers detailed questions. However, “new” and “widely exhibited” are not the same as proven, appropriate or well fitted.
This distinction is especially important for dog mobility equipment. Owners comparing a support device should look beyond launch language and consider whether the product matches the dog's condition, body measurements and daily environment. Adjustment range, contact points, ease of putting the device on, cleaning instructions, replacement-part availability and after-sales help can all affect practical use.
For a structured way to evaluate those points, WUMIBOX's dog wheelchair and mobility gear buyer's guide explains how to compare fit, support arrangements and purchase terms before choosing equipment.
What has not been established
The attendance and exhibition figures were reported by the event organizers; the published report did not describe an independent audit of those totals. It also did not provide data on orders placed, exhibitor sales, retailer conversion rates or subsequent consumer purchases.
As a result, the record attendance should not be treated as evidence that every part of the pet market is growing, or that any product shown at the event has demonstrated a health benefit. The figures measure participation and event scale. They do not measure product quality, clinical effectiveness or suitability for an individual dog.
The wider industry signal
The clearest takeaway is that the pet sector continues to invest in physical product discovery and business-to-business connections. The international elements also suggest that suppliers and retailers are looking beyond their home markets for new partnerships.
For dog owners, the practical message is more measured: a busy product pipeline can expand choice, but careful comparison still matters. Mobility products should be selected around the dog's needs and used with veterinary or rehabilitation guidance when pain, injury, weakness or a neurological condition may be involved.