Pet Industry News
The deals, launches, and strategic moves behind the brands and operators shaping the industry.
Woof Extends HonestChew Into Consumables With Real-Beef-Coated SKU
Woof launched HonestChew Meaty, a real-beef-coated plant-core chew, marking its push from enrichment toys into the consumables category.
145% Tariffs on China Just Rewired the Pet Industry's Cost Structure
Trump's April 2 tariffs put 145% duties on Chinese imports, rewiring the pet industry cost basis for toys, accessories, and packaging.
A Plant-Based Brand Just Won the Pet Industry's Biggest Trade Show Award
Bramble, a vet-formulated plant-based fresh dog food startup, won first place in the Dog Food and Treats category at Global Pet Expo's 2026 Best in Show Awards. The win, voted on by trade buyers and retailers, signals growing commercial viability for plant-based pet food beyond the niche aisle.
Fermented Protein for Pet Food Just Crossed the Production Threshold
Finnish biotech Enifer has completed the first industrial-scale production run of PEKILO Pet, a fermentation-derived mycoprotein with 60% protein and 22% fiber. Pet food manufacturers are running formulation trials, marking the first time an alternative protein ingredient has reached commercial volumes for pet food production.
Most Vet AI Companies Won't Show Their Numbers. Vetology Just Published All of Them.
Vetology expanded its public AI performance dashboard to eleven metrics per classifier across 89+ conditions, backed by 300,000+ validated patient cases. The move highlights a transparency gap in veterinary AI, where a 2026 audit found nearly two-thirds of vendors disclose no validation data publicly.
BARK's 1-for-20 Reverse Split Is a Survival Move. The DTC Pet Reckoning Continues.
BARK approved a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective April 1 to maintain its NYSE listing after shares fell 97% from their 2020 peak. The company disclosed $15.4 million in tariff costs and ended a strategic review without pursuing a sale, raising questions about the DTC pet subscription model at scale.
Zoom Room Taps Former Petco CEO Ron Coughlin as Chairman. Pet Services Just Got a New Power Player.
Zoom Room has named former Petco CEO Ron Coughlin as chairman of the board and hired a new CFO from the franchise world. The moves position the 57-location dog training franchise for accelerated national expansion, targeting 550 locations by 2030.