Product Launches & Innovation
Oxford Biotech Startup LatusPet Publishes Peer-Reviewed Study on Multi-Disease Blood Screening Test for Dogs
INNOVATION
**LatusPet Limited**, a **University of Oxford** biotech spinout, has published a first-of-its-kind peer-reviewed study in *Frontiers in Veterinary Science* demonstrating a blood test capable of screening dogs for **multiple diseases simultaneously**. The technology applies **NMR-based metabolomics and machine learning** for non-invasive disease detection. The publication marks a significant milestone for canine diagnostics, potentially enabling earlier, broader-spectrum health screening at the point of veterinary care.
Pet Age — 2026-07-01
Waltham Institute and Mars Veterinary Health Validate Scientifically Backed Cat Wellbeing Assessment Tool
INNOVATION
Researchers from the **Waltham Petcare Science Institute**, in collaboration with **Mars Veterinary Health**, **Royal Canin**, and the **University of Bristol**, have developed and scientifically validated a standardized tool for assessing cat wellbeing. The instrument offers veterinary professionals and owners an evidence-based framework for evaluating feline welfare, representing a breakthrough in objective, clinically applicable wellbeing measurement for cats.
Pet Age — 2026-07-01
LitPet Launches Joint Care Powder Featuring Clinically Validated Xeflex Marine Ingredient
LAUNCH
**LitPet** has introduced a new canine joint care powder supplement built around **Xeflex**, a clinically validated marine-derived ingredient. The product is formulated to target **root-cause inflammation and joint swelling** in dogs, differentiating from traditional glucosamine-based products by addressing underlying inflammatory pathways. The launch reflects growing consumer and veterinary interest in marine bioactive compounds for companion animal health.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-02
Pooch and Mutt Enters Freeze-Dried Category with New Treats and Toppers Range
LAUNCH
UK functional pet nutrition brand **Pooch and Mutt** has launched its first-ever **freeze-dried treats and toppers** range, marking a significant category extension for the company. The move positions Pooch and Mutt within the rapidly growing freeze-dried segment, which has seen strong consumer demand driven by interest in minimally processed, nutrient-dense pet food formats.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-01
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Showcases Expanded Gut Health and Immune Support Claims
LAUNCH
**Hill's Prescription Diet i/d** is being highlighted across multiple veterinary channels this week for its comprehensive gastrointestinal support formulation. Key features include the proprietary **ActivBiome+ ingredient blend** — designed to rapidly activate dogs' gut microbiomes — alongside **Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids**, clinically proven antioxidants, B vitamins, and a prebiotic blend supporting beneficial gut bacteria in both dogs and cats. The campaign spans canine and feline formulations and reinforces Hill's positioning in the therapeutic nutrition segment.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-07-01
Doubtless Pet Care Unveils Global Health and Insurance Platform Spanning 10 International Markets
LAUNCH
**Doubtless Pet Care** has launched a new integrated global platform combining **pet health services and AI-powered tools** across **10 international markets**. The platform consolidates health management and insurance offerings into a single digital entity, targeting pet owners seeking streamlined, cross-border coverage and care coordination. The use of AI tools positions Doubtless within the growing insurtech-meets-pet-health space.
Pet Gazette — 2026-06-30
Partnerships & Acquisitions
Burgess Pet Care Acquires Bunny Nature to Scale Global Small Animal Nutrition Footprint
ACQUISITION
UK pet food manufacturer **Burgess Pet Care** has acquired **Bunny Nature**, a specialist in small animal nutrition. The deal expands Burgess's international presence and deepens its product range in the rabbit, guinea pig, and small animal segment. No financial terms were disclosed. The acquisition reflects a broader consolidation trend in the specialty small-pet nutrition space.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-01
dsm-firmenich Acquires Full Ownership of Verax Animal Health AI Prediction Platform
ACQUISITION
**dsm-firmenich's** Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) division has brought **Verax** fully in-house, acquiring complete ownership of the AI-driven animal health prediction platform after a **7-year partnership** with InsideTracker. Verax uses predictive analytics to support animal health decision-making. The move signals dsm-firmenich's intent to embed proprietary AI capabilities directly into its ANH portfolio rather than rely on external licensing.
Feedstuffs — 2026-06-29
Play9's 'The Roolo' Treat-Dispensing Puzzle Secures National Listing with UK Retailer Jollyes
PARTNERSHIP
Pet enrichment brand **Play9** has secured a national retail listing with **Jollyes**, one of the UK's leading pet retail chains. Jollyes will stock Play9's flagship product, **'The Roolo'** — a treat-dispensing puzzle toy — across its full UK store estate. The deal marks a significant distribution milestone for Play9 and aligns with Jollyes' ongoing strategy to broaden its enrichment and interactive toy offering.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-02
Prefera Pet Food UK Launches Bound Nutrition Brand with Exclusive Pedigree Wholesale Deal
LAUNCH · PARTNERSHIP
**Prefera Pet Food UK** has unveiled **Bound**, a new pet nutrition brand featuring a liquid supplement and wet food range. The launch is backed by an exclusive distribution agreement with **Pedigree Wholesale**, providing immediate national scale across UK independent pet retailers. The Bound range is positioned around functional nutrition and convenient liquid supplement formats.
Pet Gazette — 2026-07-02
Industry Trends & Data
Lakefield Veterinary Group Launches 'Care Beyond Limits' Fund to Support Financially Vulnerable Pet Owners
LAUNCH
**Lakefield Veterinary Group** has announced the **Care Beyond Limits Fund**, a new charitable initiative designed to ensure pets receive essential veterinary care when their owners face financial hardship. The fund addresses a growing access-to-care gap in veterinary medicine, reflecting broader industry conversations about affordability and equity in pet healthcare — echoing similar concerns raised this week around UK flea treatment prescription restrictions.
Pet Age — 2026-07-01
Summer Claims Data Reveal Sharp Seasonal Spike in Preventable Pet Emergencies Across US and Canada
DATA
New veterinary insurance claims data from the **US and Canada** highlight a marked seasonal increase in emergency veterinary visits during summer months. Leading causes include **heatstroke, insect bites, foxtail injuries, and traffic-related incidents** — all classified as largely preventable. The data underscore opportunities for proactive veterinary counseling and pet insurance uptake heading into peak summer risk periods.
Veterinary Practice News — 2026-07-02
China International Pet Show 2026 Reflects Evolution of the Global Pet Industry at 30th Anniversary Edition
DATA
The **30th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2026)** is set to open **November 12–15 in Guangzhou**, offering a milestone view into the evolution of the global pet industry. The show's anniversary edition will reflect significant shifts in both the Chinese domestic market and international pet business dynamics, serving as a key barometer for global pet trade trends heading into 2027.
Pet Age — 2026-07-02
Notable Moves & Leadership
Jollyes Continues National Expansion with New Yeovil Store Opening
EXPANSION
UK pet retail chain **Jollyes** has opened a new store in **Yeovil**, the latest location in its accelerating nationwide growth strategy. Further store launches are already planned, reinforcing Jollyes' position as one of the most aggressively expanding pet retail chains in the UK market. The Yeovil opening follows the chain's national listing deal with Play9 announced the same week, reflecting a broader push to grow both its physical footprint and product breadth simultaneously.
Pet Gazette — 2026-06-30
IQI Appoints New North America Sales Manager with Pet Food Industry R&D Background
LEADERSHIP
**IQI** has appointed **Alana Brown** as Sales Manager for North America. Brown brings a background in **pet food industry R&D**, which the company says will strengthen its North American commercial team. The hire signals IQI's intent to deepen its engagement with pet food sector clients in the region.
Feedstuffs — 2026-06-30
Pet Age Inaugural Retailer Excellence Awards Celebrate Independent Pet Store Achievements
LEADERSHIP
**Pet Age** has announced winners of its inaugural **Retailer Excellence Awards (REA)**, recognizing outstanding performance across independent pet retailers, sales representatives, vendor partners, and wholesale distributors nationwide. The first-of-its-kind awards program spotlights the resilience and innovation of the independent retail channel, which remains a critical distribution tier in the US pet industry.
Pet Age — 2026-07-01
Ashland Veterinary Center Expands Clinical Team to Broaden Service Offering
EXPANSION
**Ashland Veterinary Center (AVC)** has expanded its clinical team with the addition of **Dr. Railey Rumohr**, who previously completed her veterinary school clinical rotation at AVC before returning as a full team member. The hire is part of a broader strategy to increase service capacity and breadth at the practice.
Feedstuffs — 2026-06-30