This week: J.M. Smucker pet food sales fall, K9 Resorts launches doggy summer camp

Happy Friday!

J.M. Smucker has announced falling sales in its pet food division, K9 Resorts has launched its doggy summer camp, and UK pet products wholesaler Su-Bridge Pet Supplies has acquired four brands.

Our Spotlight also covers some sobering findings: according to a Gallup/PetSmart Charities poll, half of Canadian pet parents have skipped vet visits, mainly due to cost. The findings are sadly in line with similar survey results for U.S. pet parents earlier this year.

We also had the chance this week to interview Omni, the plant-forward startup that’s disrupting the dog food industry. Don’t miss the full interview!

IN TODAY’S EDITION

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🇺🇸 Sales and profits drop for J.M. Smucker’s pet food in financial year 2025 ● Full-year net sales of J.M. Smucker’s pet food and treats dropped to US$1,663.6 million, compared to US$1,822.8 million a year earlier.

🇺🇸 Rover CEO steps down after 14 years ● Rover chief executive Aaron Easterly is stepping down on July 1. He will be succeeded by Brett Turner.

🇺🇸 Innovative Pet Lab secures US$1.1M pre-seed funding for at-home pet health testing ● Innovative Pet Lab has secured US$1.1 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by Nordic Group and Leap Venture Studio.

🇺🇸 Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash report double digit mid-year growth ● Pet retail franchises Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash have so far secured 15 new franchise agreements, and on track to open more than 25 stores in 2025.

🇺🇸 K9 Resorts launches doggy summer camp ● K9 Resorts has launched a seasonal eight-week summer camp across the USA to promote physical, mental and social stimulation for dogs.

🇦🇺 PetO ceases the sale of live animals ● Australian family-owned pet products retailer PetO has decided to halt the sale of live animals throughout its 58 nationwide stores.

🇬🇧 Su-Bridge Pet Supplies acquires four pet food brands ● UK pet products wholesaler Su-Bridge Pet Supplies has acquired four pet food brands - Autarky, Chudleys, Gelert, and Gusto - from United Petfood UK Limited.

PRODUCT NEWS

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Nova Dog Chews launches grain and gluten free pâté ● Scottish brand Nova Dog Chews has launched a grain- and gluten-free Luxury Pâté. The new recipe replaces the rice flour in the original recipe with sweet potato.

🇬🇧 Doodlebone launches Dinky Dog collection ● Doodlebone has launched its Dinky Dog Collection, which is designed specifically for small breeds and puppies.

🇺🇸 Ultimate Pet Nutrition launches Nutra Complete and Nutra Thrive ● Ultimate Pet Nutrition has launched freeze-dried raw dog food Nutra Complete and dog supplement Nutra Thrive across the U.S.

SPOTLIGHT: 50% OF CANADIAN PET PARENTS SKIP VET, MAINLY DUE TO COST

This week saw some sobering survey results from a Gallup/PetSmart Charities poll: half of Canadian pet parents have skipped or declined necessary veterinary care in the past year, mainly due to cost.

The survey results chime in with similar survey results from U.S. pet parents in April.

Alarmingly, the Canadian study also found that 14% of pet parents who skipped care say their pet's condition worsened or their pet died as a result.

The latest survey results are a reminder that for many, basic pet care is out of reach, and innovation is urgently needed.

Unsurprisingly, one beneficiary of ever-rising veterinary prices is the veterinary telemedicine sector. While this sector took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising veterinary costs almost guarantee that cash-strapped pet owners will turn to other sources.

According to ResearchAndMarkets, the veterinary telehealth market is expected to achieve a CAGR of 20.33% from 2025 to reach an estimated US$921.40 million by 2030.

As traditional care becomes less accessible, virtual vet services are poised to become not just a convenience but a necessity, for the millions of pet parents who love their animals and want to safeguard their welfare, no matter the cost.

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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