Great Iowa Pet Expo

02/18/2026

Spring is creeping closer, and the calendar is filling up with some very pet-friendly plans. 🐾✨ Here’s what’s coming up around the area over the next couple weeks:

1️⃣ Puppy Yoga w/ Power Life
📅 Sunday, February 22
🕥 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Paws & Pints

Stretch, breathe, and flow while puppies roam, cuddle, and generally steal the show. Whether you’re there for the yoga or the pups (or both), this is a feel good way to start your Sunday. 🧘‍♀️🐶

2️⃣ Pet CPR & First Aid Class
📅 Sunday, March 1
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Knox Canine Training

Knowledge is power. Especially when it comes to your pet’s safety. This hands-on class covers essential first aid and emergency response skills every pet parent should know. 🐕‍🦺❤️

And last but not least…

3️⃣ Tator Tot Cook-Off!
📅 Saturday, March 7
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Champion's Hideaway

Because who doesn’t love a good tator tot? Come sample creative takes on a comfort food classic while hanging out with fellow pet lovers. Fun, food, and community all in one stop. 🥔🎉🐾

02/17/2026

Check out Joe Bear, Ozzie, & Miley, last month's Great Iowa Pet Expo Powder Faces! Think your senior pet has serious Powder Face potential like these guys? Well, we've got good news for you: Submissions are now open for February's Powder Face(s) of the Month!

We want to see your senior pets. Submit a pic of your powder-faced pal with a bio in the comments for a chance to be featured in the next month's Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter. And like we said before, if your pet wasn't selected last month, they've been automatically rolled over to this month's selection pool.

But we wouldn't complain if you want to drop another pic of your adorable senior, just saying. 🤍🐾👀

02/16/2026

Stock up at Wholesome Pet Essentials this week!

💥FLASH SALE💥

Take 70% off of clothes and boots for only 7 days!!🤩 That means this deal starts NOW and ends next Saturday the 21st. Stop in while you still can🎉

02/14/2026

When was the last time you cleaned your dog's bowl? That leftover food in the bowl? That's where bacteria LOVES to hang out. Plastic bowls can trap bacteria and ceramics can be cute and fun, but can crack and need to be replaced frequently.

Stainless steel bowls, regular washing, and a quick weekly disinfect can help reduce bacteria and all sorts of stuff trying to keep your pup from feeling their best. 🧼🐕

02/13/2026

Here is Olympic Champion Ilia Malinin sharing his gold medal with his cat Mysti, because even Olympic champions konw who's really in charge at home. 🥇🐱✨

02/11/2026

If your inbox could use more paws and fewer boring emails, that's your sign to subscribe to the Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter! ✨ Sign up and get info on local events, vendor spotlights, pet tips and news, fun extras, and of course, 2026 Expo updates, delivered straight to your inbox.

And it's easy too. Just head over to our website to subscribe and we'll handle the rest! 💌🐶🐱

02/09/2026

Got some room on your calendar for paws, people, and a little community fun? 🐾✨ Here are a few pet-friendly events happening later this month you won’t want to miss:

1️⃣ Pup Up Meet & Greet
📅 Saturday, February 21
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Pet Supplies Plus (Merle Hay Rd.)

Stop by to meet adoptable pups, chat with local rescues, and maybe even fall in love. A low-pressure way to connect with dogs (and dog people). 🐶🤍

2️⃣ Raise Your Paw Basket Party
📅 Thursday, February 26
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 ARL of Iowa (5452 N.E. 22nd St.)

An evening of fun, fundraising, and friendly competition—all in support of animals in need. Come raise a paddle (or a paw) for a great cause. 🐾🎉

And last but not least…

3️⃣ Puppies Night Out
📅 Friday, February 27
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Paws & Pints (6218 Willowmere Dr.)

Puppies, playtime, and a relaxed hang to end the week on a high note. Because honestly, there are few things better than starting your day surrounded by pups. 🐕☕️

02/06/2026

Huge congratulations to Penny the Doberman Pinscher for taking home Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! 🏆🐾 A historic win, incredible moment, amazing achievement, and well deserved spotlight for a truly impressive pup.

📸: The Dogist & Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

02/03/2026

Looking for a few ways to spend time with your pets (or meet some new furry friends)? 🐾💘 Here are a few upcoming events worth adding to your calendar:

1️⃣ Valentine’s Pack Walk
📅 Saturday, February 7
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Purple Martin Water Resource Area

Grab your leash and join fellow pet parents for a group walk that’s all about fresh air, movement, and spending quality time with your pup. A great way to kick off Valentine’s weekend together. 🐶🚶‍♀️

2️⃣ Puppy Bowl XXII Watch Party
📅 Sunday, February 8
🕛 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Paws & Pints

Football’s cute cousin returns! Come watch the Puppy Bowl, enjoy drinks, and soak up a room full of dog lovers. It’s the ultimate Sunday hang for you and your four-legged MVP. 🏈🐕

And last but not least…

3️⃣ Caturday Adoption Meet & Greet
📅 Saturday, February 14
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Norwalk Easter Public Library

Spend Valentine’s Day meeting adoptable cats and learning more about local rescue efforts. You might just meet your perfect match. 🐱💖

01/30/2026

⚠ Important pet food recall notice ⚠

The FDA is warning consumers about specific Raaw Energy Dog Food products after multiple samples tested positive for harmful bacteria. If you feed Raaw Energy, please double check the product names and date codes listed in this post. For full details and next steps, visit the AVMA recall page.

Sharing this kind of info helps keep pets safe.

01/29/2026

Wow! Look at you guys. Thank you so much to everyone who submitted their senior pets for our Powder Faces of the Month feature in this month's upcoming newsletter. And yes, you read that right. There were too many adorable submissions to just choose ONE Powder Face, so we're featuring THREE!

Selections were made at random (via spinning wheel), and although submissions for this month are closed, don't worry! If your pet wasn't chosen this time, all submissions will be rolled over into next month's pool. So keep your eyes peeled for submissions opening up for next month and subscribe to the Great Iowa Pet Expo newsletter to find out which three senior pups were chosen to be our January Powder Faces of the Month! 🤍🐶