Major News & Industry Moves in this week

Animal-Computer Interaction Innovations
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are developing what they call the “animal internet”, which includes a DogPhone (a motion-sensitive ball that triggers a video call) and touchscreens for parrots to enable inter‐animal communication and social interaction. Early results show improved well‐being when animals can interact socially.

Petco’s Strategic Store Closures
Petco plans to close up to 30 underperforming stores over the course of 2025 as part of a broader turnaround strategy. The goal is to shift toward higher‐margin offerings, particularly grooming and veterinary services, while improving profitability. Even though revenue dropped to US$1.49 billion in Q2 2025, the company has returned to profitability and is projecting considerable growth by 2028.

Woolworths’ Investment in Raw/Natural Pet Food
In Australia, Woolworths (via its Petspiration division) has taken full advantage of an equity option to acquire a 50% stake in Big Dog Pet Foods, a raw pet food business. Big Dog is known for its BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) products, as well as low‐allergy and probiotic diets. This reflects retailers’ interest in getting deeper into premium and specialized pet nutrition.

Surge in Premium Pet Food UK
Despite economic pressures, UK dog owners are increasingly choosing premium, “natural” and whole food‐style diets for their pets. Sales of upscale brands have jumped (~34% YoY via some retailers), and demand for treats focused on health attributes (digestive health, calming, etc.) has soared. Many pet owners want ingredients they’d be willing to eat themselves; transparency and health claims are big draws.