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.
Rare Breed and Stray Project tie $4 per item to shelter dog meals
Link Snacks' Rare Breed treat brand and Denver apparel startup Stray Project launched Impossible to Ignore for National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. The official rules commit $4.00 per item and $0.50 per email signup to Greater Good Charities through November 30th, paid by Stray Project, with signups shared by both brands.
Rivian adds a live Pet Cam to the R2
Rivian's 2026.36 software update lets R2 owners check on a pet in the parked car from their phones. The live feed needs a Connect+ subscription at $14.99 a month, the same paid-plan approach Tesla took with its cabin camera in 2022.
Covetrus goes live on RELEX forecasting across its distribution centers
Covetrus says it has gone live on RELEX forecasting and replenishment software across its distribution centers. The release gives no results, and it lands as Covetrus and MWI offer remedies to win FTC and state approval of their merger.
ASPCA study ties gel cooling products to 45 dog poisoning cases
The ASPCA reports 45 dogs with suspected acrylamide poisoning tied to gel-filled consumer products, with some gel at 21 to 86 times the top of the expected range. IVC Journal's summary of the study puts deaths at 14 of 21 dogs with known outcomes. No pet-product brand has been named.
BIXBI certifies six cat kibbles days after a lead study
BIXBI certified six cat kibble recipes with the Clean Label Project on October 7th, 2026, five days after the nonprofit reported detectable lead in 99% of 100 cat foods. The seal is voluntary and private, and the Pet Food Institute disputes the study behind the headline.
Boehringer's quarterable Previcox tablet reaches retail with a 7 pound floor
Boehringer Ingelheim announced a double-scored Previcox tablet that vets can split into quarters, with dosing for dogs as small as 7 pounds. It is a packaging and dosing change, not a new drug. Updated label copy at retail now sets a 7 pound minimum and dosing in quarter-tablet increments.