Pet Industry News
The deals, launches, and strategic moves behind the brands and operators shaping the industry.
Pets will shape travel plans for 68% of owners, Subaru survey finds
A Subaru-commissioned Talker Research survey of 2,000 pet-owning drivers, released October 13th, 2026, says 68% expect their pet to affect travel plans this year and 73% would drive instead of fly to bring the pet. New in this release, 10% may host, 10% may shorten a trip and 8% may skip gatherings. In our view, the trip-length and planning numbers are the ones sitters and kennels can use.
FDA Widens Screwworm Drug Options as US Cases Near 50
The FDA authorized Sergeant's Pet Care Products' Capstar and a generic from Felix Pharmaceuticals as the first over-the-counter drugs cleared to prevent and treat New World screwworm in dogs and cats. The move opens retail competition to Zoetis's prescription-only Simparica Trio as confirmed Texas cases climb toward 50.
Petco Pays Down $75M More Debt as Profit Nearly Triples in Q2
Petco's fiscal second-quarter net income nearly tripled to $38.7 million as comparable sales turned positive for a second straight quarter. The bigger move was on the balance sheet: a fresh $75 million voluntary debt prepayment that brings total paydown to $170 million in nine months.
BARK Trades Ad Dollars for Liquid Death's Cult Following
BARK and Liquid Death launched a dog product collection sold exclusively to existing BarkBox and Super Chewer subscribers, with no paid media behind it. The move fits BARK's broader pullback from paid acquisition, using borrowed fandom instead of ad spend to keep subscribers engaged.
Same-Diagnosis Vet Bills Can Vary 20x, Embrace Data Shows
Embrace Pet Insurance's Q2 claims report shows treatment costs for identical diagnoses swinging by 20x or more, from a few hundred dollars to over $15,000. The variance complicates flat-rate pricing for insurers and wellness plans built around an "average" vet bill, in a market where fewer than 4% of U.S. pets carry coverage.
85% of Vets See Care Declined at the $1,000 Mark, Survey Finds
A new AAHA-Pawlicy survey finds 85% of vets see owners decline care above $1,000, and nearly a quarter say affordability drives a fifth of their euthanasia decisions. The fix hiding in the same data: practices that recommend insurance proactively carry more than double the insured patient share of those that wait to be asked.
Leap Venture Studio Names Cohort 10 From a Record Applicant Pool
Leap Venture Studio finalized its tenth cohort from a record applicant pool of over 300 startups, selecting six companies in pet longevity, diagnostics, and veterinary care plus an Impact Seat pick. The cohort is also the first to include new partner TAW Ventures, founded by Jane Lauder.