Inspired Pet Nutrition to acquire Sopral, Santévet to take majority stake in Tedaisy, and more

Happy Friday!

This week, we bring you definitive ‘proof’ to confirm what we already suspected: you’re not the head of the household. Your dog is. Delve into fascinating findings from Talker Research in our weekly Spotlight.

Plus, a lot is happening in the M&A space: Inspired Pet Nutrition plans to acquire Sopral, European pet insurer Santévet will snap up a majority stake in the UK’s Tedaisy and Melbourne-based Natural Animal Solutions and The Paw Grocer are set to merge.

And in case you missed it: Don’t miss our feature on Hong Kong’s bespoke dogwear brands! In a city build on speed, luxury dog gear is slowing down.

IN TODAY’S EDITION

🇺🇸  K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel enters into JV with Luxury Pet Hotel Investments ● K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel has entered into a 50-50 joint venture with Luxury Pet Hotel Investments, LLC (LPHI), its largest franchisee group. The companies will partner on all current corporate-owned locations outside of the flagship location in Fanwood, NJ. 

🇫🇷 Inspired Pet Nutrition agrees terms on acquisition of Sopral ● Pet food company Inspired Pet Nutrition, which is controlled by CapVest Partners LLP and investment firm Parquest, has agreed terms on the acquisition of French pet food platform Sopral. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

🇦🇺 Natural Animal Solutions and The Paw Grocer announce merger ● The two Melbourne-based companies will bring together Natural Animal Solutions’ 20 years of experience in natural pet health and The Paw Grocer’s single-ingredient freeze-dried pet treats.

🇹🇭 i‑Tail Corporation names Tin Shu Chan as CEO ● Pet food manufacturer i-Tail Corporation has named Tin Shu Chan (Roy Chan) its new CEO. Chan previously worked at Thai Union Group, where he held senior roles in sales and supply chain management across seafood and pet food divisions.

🇬🇧 Santévet to acquire majority stake in Tedaisy ● European pet health insurer Santévet Group has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in UK pet insurance provider Tedaisy Insurance Group. Santévet Group is backed by Columna Capital.

PRODUCT NEWS

🇺🇸 PawOrigins expands portfolio to dog calming and longevity products ● Online pet products retailer PawOrigins has expanded its portfolio to include Happy-Furever, a calming treatment for dogs, as well as longevity treatments.

🇺🇸 JoyFull launches prebiotic chicken squeeze treats for dogs ● Pet wellness brand JoyFull has launched JoyFull Chicken Squeeze Treats for Dogs. The treats are prebiotic-rich and designed to support dog gut health.

🇺🇸 The Buffalo Co launches cooling dog bowl ● The Buffalo Co has launched Thermacool Dog Bowl Range of dog bowls, which feature a double layer to help keep food and water cooler on hot days.

🇬🇧 Natures Menu launches Hearty Stews wet range ● The range is inspired by traditional British recipes and has a chunky stew texture with gravy.

SPOTLIGHT: WHO’S IN CHARGE? IT’S THE DOG, NEW SURVEY SAYS

It’s official: humans don’t run the household. The dog does.

In a study of 2,000 U.S. dog owners by Talker Research, an impressive 61% admitted that their dogs call the shots in their home.

Not only that, more than half said they make major life decisions with their pets in mind (this includes where they live, what car they buy and more.)

The trend becomes even more pronounced among DINKWADs (double income, no kids with a dog):

• 71% of DINKWAD respondents said their life revolves around their pet (vs. 61% of other dog owners);

• 63% of DINKWADs see their dogs as “children” (vs. 54% of other dog owners);

• 57% of DINKWADs surveyed stay home when their dog looks lonely/sad, or felt guilty if they hadn’t spent enough quality time with their dog (52%).

Putting the dog first is not only kind, it’s also shaping the way we shop:

• DINKWADs spend an average of US$172.60 more per year than their fellow dog owners;

• DINKWADs are more likely to spoil their dog (41%) than themselves (14%) - this includes celebrating their dogs’ birthdays with a favourite meal or a special outing.

What does this mean for pet brands?

Having a pet is no longer seen as merely adopting an animal, it’s akin to expanding the family. To that end, pet parents aren’t just looking to buy treats, they’re seeking experiences that will deepen the emotional bond with their dogs.

That’s a clear opportunity for pet brands to lean into lifestyle positioning, rather than just function or nutrition. Think shared travel experiences, shared dog yoga classes and even dog-friendly home renovations.

Luxury Pet Care News is a newsletter covering the latest trends trends, growth insights and success stories in the global pet industry.

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