The nation’s favourite pet show is gearing up to open its doors at the NEC, Birmingham on 7-8 November. With hundreds of different animals, amazing animal action displays and fun and informative talks and demonstrations.

Here are the top 10 reasons to visit the National Pet Show sponsored by Gocompare.com.

1)   Visit the show’s dedicated zones where, within each area, you can learn about each type of pet, meet a whole host of different breeds and receive essential advice from the experts. From the cute and cuddly to the weird and wonderful, you can discover everything you need to know about dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, micro pigs, ponies, parrots, miniature horses, hamsters, fish, geckos, and lots more!

2)  Meet animal experts and celebrities including reptile expert Crocodile Joe and Channel 4’s Supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, who will present the brilliant Eukanuba  Supervet Live show, revealing the latest advances in the veterinary profession and recounting heart-warming success stories from the popular television show.

3)  Head to the Nerf Dog Activity Ring to watch amazing agility demos as well as dog dancing, duck herding displays by expert dog trainer Richard Curtis, the gun dog experience, the West Midlands Police Dogs display and even miniature horses!

4)   Join Hill’s School 4 Dogs, a brand new feature for 2015, where even the most disobedient dog can become head pupil! With an entertaining and educational programme, you can learn all about how to train your dog and find the right diet to support a healthy and happy lifestyle. From learning some of the basic commands to seeing some of the most entertaining dogs perform (including winners from SuperDogs Live 2014), Hill's School 4 Dogs is one feature not to be missed.

5)  Take a seat at the Eukanuba SuperTheatre, which will once again play host to an action-packed programme of events including the exciting SuperDogs Live competition and Supervet Live with Channel 4's Noel Fitzpatrick, as well as displays from incredible animals, from birds of prey to performing dogs.

6)  Don’t miss the bouncing bunnies, with the Rabbit Show Jumping. As one of the most popular attractions at the National Pet Show, this feature is exclusive to the show and can't be seen at any other event in the UK.

7)  Enter your feline friend in to the GCCF Top Cats competition. Top Cats is an exciting cat show open to members of the public. Both pedigree and household cats will be able to enter this brand new feature, competing for certificates and rosettes in categories including Best of Colour, Best in Show, Friendliest Cat, Most Handsome Male, and as the finale, Best Household Pet.

8)  If you’ve got a passion for the weird and wonderful, head to the Exo Terra Reptile and Fluval Aquatics experience.   The Reptile Area will showcase a plethora of reptiles, bugs, spiders and many exotic creatures including tree lizards, water dragons, giant turtles and a range of chameleons as well as bearded dragons, Spinney Tailed Lizards, a Chuckwalla Lizard and Leopard Geckos, while the Aquatics Area will feature beautiful fish and aquatic set ups as well as the Fluval Aquatic Fossil Dig, where kids can discover the evolution of aquatic life through the fossils they uncover!

9)  Meet the Alpacas - Orlando, Basil, Zircon and Blitzen the Huacaya Alpacas can't wait to meet and greet you at the show! At home, these family pets grace the fields with their majestic beauty and calm dispositions living in harmony with miniature ponies, sheep, dogs and chickens ambling about between them!

10) Shop ‘til you drop at the Market Place! Taking place in November, the National Pet Show also comes at the perfect time for the festive shopping season and will feature some unique shopping opportunities - from niche gifts to popular pet present ideas.

As well as providing a fantastic day out, the National Pet Show promotes responsible pet ownership and animal welfare with many charities exhibiting including the Birmingham Dogs Home, Guide Dogs and Blue Cross.