Product Launches & Innovation
IV-Delivered Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy for Canine Osteoarthritis Advances Toward FDA Approval
INNOVATION
A clinical study of **intravenous uterine-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UMSCs)** administered to dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) has demonstrated improvements in both **pain scores and mobility**, with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported. The therapy is advancing toward FDA approval, representing a potentially novel regenerative approach to one of the most prevalent conditions in companion animals.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-07
Quality Marine Achieves World's First Aquaculture of Black Longnose Tang
INNOVATION
Quality Marine has announced a landmark aquaculture achievement: the successful culture of the **world's first Black Longnose Tang (Zebrasoma rostratum)** at its QM Labs Aquaculture Facility. The milestone advances the marine ornamental trade's capacity to offer sustainably sourced specimens, reducing pressure on wild reef populations and expanding captive-bred options for the aquarium hobby.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
My Perfect Pet Launches Comprehensive Rebrand with New Packaging and Feeding Flexibility
LAUNCH
**My Perfect Pet**, a gently cooked dog and cat food brand founded in **2007**, has unveiled a comprehensive rebrand aimed at making fresh, whole-food nutrition more accessible and easier for consumers to understand. The refresh includes new packaging design, clearer ingredient storytelling, and expanded flexible feeding options — positioning the brand to compete more effectively in the rapidly growing fresh pet food segment.
Pet Age — 2026-05-08
Livestock Feed Additive Ractopamine Found to Cause Heart Damage in Dogs
INNOVATION
Research from the **Texas Veterinary Medical & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS)** team has found that accidental ingestion of **ractopamine** — a livestock feed additive — poses a cardiac risk for dogs in agricultural and rural settings. The findings highlight an overlooked safety hazard for working and farm dogs and may prompt updated guidance for pet owners in agricultural communities.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-05
Industry Trends & Data
Idaho and Montana Declared No-Kill States by Best Friends Animal Society
DATA
Using the latest available shelter data, national nonprofit **Best Friends Animal Society** has declared **Idaho and Montana** as no-kill states. The two states join **four previously designated no-kill states** — Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and one other — signaling continued momentum in the national no-kill movement, which has implications for shelter adoption trends, rescue brand partnerships, and pet industry demand.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
New 'World of the Kitten Report' Provides Evidence-Based Guide to Kitten Care
DATA
A newly released **World of the Kitten Report** offers veterinary teams an evidence-based framework covering optimal kitten **growth, nutrition, socialization, and care**. The report is designed to equip veterinary practices with expert insights to improve kitten outcomes during a critical developmental window, reinforcing the growing industry focus on life-stage-specific pet care protocols.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-07
VCPR Reform Expands Telehealth Access for Veterinary Prescriptions in California and Florida
DATA
Updated definitions for the **Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)** now allow online establishment of VCPRs in **California and Florida**, with broader implications for prescription refills and telehealth veterinary services nationwide. The regulatory evolution reduces barriers for remote veterinary care and may accelerate adoption of digital-first veterinary platforms.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-07
Hill's Pet Nutrition Hosts Global Symposium on Gut-Skin Axis in Companion Animals
DATA
**Hill's Pet Nutrition** is hosting a global continuing education symposium focused on the **gut-skin axis** in companion animals, featuring **more than 10 expert speakers** covering topics including skin-microbe interaction in allergic disease, canine atopic dermatitis updates, and nutritional strategies for supporting skin barrier function. The event reflects growing scientific and commercial interest in the microbiome-nutrition-dermatology intersection in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-04
Regulatory & Policy
FDA Approves First Drug for Both Noise Aversion and Separation Anxiety in Dogs
REGULATION
The FDA has cleared the **first-ever medication** approved for the treatment of both noise aversion and separation anxiety in canine patients — marking a significant regulatory milestone in companion animal behavioral health. The approval addresses two of the most commonly reported anxiety-related conditions in dogs, expanding the toolkit available to veterinary practitioners.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-07
Albright's Raw Pet Food Issues Voluntary Recall of Chicken Recipe Dog Food
RECALL
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported that **Albright's Raw Pet Food** of Fort Wayne, Indiana is voluntarily recalling **one lot** of its Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balanced product. Pet owners are advised to check product lot numbers and discontinue use of affected product.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
House Farm Bill Advances with Key Veterinary and Animal Disease Provisions
REGULATION
The House has advanced a Farm Bill that includes several provisions directly relevant to the animal health sector: **strengthened dog importation standards**, support for animal disease prevention and traceability programs, and sustained workforce initiatives targeting **rural veterinary shortages**. The legislation signals continued federal attention to veterinary infrastructure gaps.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-05-05
Baldwin Bill Would Improve Animal Disease Outbreak Coordination Across Agencies
REGULATION
A newly introduced bill from Senator Baldwin would enhance communication and coordination among federal agencies, states, and tribal entities in managing **wildlife and zoonotic disease outbreaks**. The measure represents a legislative push to close coordination gaps revealed by recent animal disease events.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-04
Notable Moves & Leadership
General Mills Promotes Dana McNabb to Chief Operating Officer, Elevating Blue Buffalo Oversight
LEADERSHIP
**General Mills (NYSE: GIS)**, parent company of pet food giant **Blue Buffalo**, has announced the promotion of **Dana McNabb** to Chief Operating Officer, effective **June 1, 2026**. McNabb will continue reporting to Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening. The appointment brings leadership continuity to General Mills' operations, which include one of the largest premium pet food portfolios in the U.S.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
Pet Flavors Appoints Dr. Loïc Le Hir de Fallois as Interim CEO
LEADERSHIP
**Pet Flavors**, a market-leading producer of pharmaceutical-grade flavor bases and palatants used in veterinary pharmaceuticals, has appointed **Dr. Loïc Le Hir de Fallois, PhD**, as Interim Chief Executive Officer. The leadership transition comes as the company continues to serve a critical niche at the intersection of animal health and pharmaceutical formulation.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
Vamoosh Pet Hair Dissolver Receives UK King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade
EXPANSION
UK-based pet cleaning brand **Vamoosh**, headquartered in Barnsley, has been honored with the prestigious **King's Award for Enterprise** in the International Trade category. Vamoosh is one of only **185 organizations nationally** to receive the recognition, underscoring the brand's success in scaling its pet-specific cleaning solutions across international markets.
Pet Age — 2026-05-07
Endovac Animal Health Adds Swine Technical Services Veterinarian Dr. Rachel Bardot
LEADERSHIP
**Endovac Animal Health** has hired **Dr. Rachel Bardot** as its new Swine Technical Services Veterinarian. In her role, Dr. Bardot will support product development and provide technical guidance to producers, veterinarians, and internal teams — reinforcing Endovac's commitment to science-backed swine health solutions.
Feedstuffs — 2026-05-07