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.
The Farmer's Dog Pushes Into Treats, Its Third Move in a Month
The Farmer's Dog launched Crunchy Biscuits on September 1st, its third product or portfolio move since early August, following its first acquisition and a shelf-stable food launch. The pattern points to a subscription business rapidly expanding what it sells, and where.
Purina Opens $550 Million Ohio Factory, Its Biggest US Bet in 50 Years
Purina opened a $550 million, 1.3-million-square-foot pet food plant in Batavia, Ohio, its first US factory built from scratch since 1975. The investment lands as the industry pulls back on new construction in favor of expanding existing sites, and as Nestlé's PetCare unit leans on volume over pricing to grow.
Barkhouse's Dog Fashion Week Doubles as a Sponsorship Showcase
A Chelsea dog daycare, boarding, and grooming business that has served more than 700 dogs is staging a five-day fashion week benefiting a local rescue and featuring four apparel brands and three sponsors. The event doubles as a case study in how membership-based pet businesses are starting to monetize beyond recurring visits. It's a small, single-market pilot, not yet a proven playbook.
Lucky Dog Mobile Groomers' Data Reveals the Real Cost of a Groom
Lucky Dog Mobile Groomers published eight months of scheduling data showing standard poodles take nearly three times as long to groom as pit bulls. The self-reported numbers offer operators a rare look at how breed-driven labor time, not menu pricing, actually caps a mobile groomer's daily capacity.
Purina and Ohio State's Litter Box Study Validates a Health-Monitoring Category
A peer-reviewed study from Nestlé Purina PetCare and Ohio State University found that a smart litter box monitor detected behavior patterns linked to chronic kidney disease in cats. It's the first outside-validated evidence behind a smart litter box health claim, with implications for every company selling passive pet monitoring.
Blue Sea Capital Buys CompletePet, Its Second Pet Bet
Blue Sea Capital acquired CompletePet, a Miami-based contract manufacturer of pet wellness products, from Align Capital Partners on August 31st. The deal adds a manufacturing platform to Blue Sea's existing veterinary services business, signaling consolidation among the contract manufacturers behind the DTC pet supplement boom.