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.
Native Pet Bolsters Operations and R&D With Executive Hires
Native Pet, a fast-growing clean-label pet supplement brand in 13,000+ retail locations, announced three senior hires on April 13, signaling a push toward operational scaling, clinically backed products, and specialty retail expansion.
Central Pet Distribution Spins Out as Phillips-Led JV, Moving Pet Specialty Into Consolidation Sprint
Central Garden & Pet is combining its pet distribution operations with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies in a new JV, retaining a 20% minority stake while Axar Capital-led investors control 80%. The deal reflects accelerating consolidation in pet specialty distribution.
Tucker's Buys Nugget's Healthy Eats, Its Second Brand Absorption This Year
Tucker's Raw Frozen Food acquired bone-broth brand Nugget's Healthy Eats in April, retiring the name and folding its formulas into Tucker's own lineup. It's the second time this year Tucker's has absorbed rather than kept an acquired brand, and the rebranded line debuts this week at SuperZoo.
How a LinkedIn Post Landed AlchemyPet 60 Doors at Hollywood Feed
AlchemyPet is launching its liquid supplement topper line in 60 Hollywood Feed stores across the Southeast.
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.
Mount Oak Launches Medtail Platform, Targets Vet Hospitals as Southeast Anchor Tenants
Mount Oak Capital launched a dedicated Medtail development platform and hired a former Truss Vet real estate lead to run it. The Charleston firm will target vet hospitals and adjacent medical tenants as anchors for purpose-built Southeast retail centers.