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The pet industry grew rapidly over the past three years as people, stuck at home during the pandemic, decided to add a furry friend to their families. Analysts say this industry, where spending was $118 billion in 2019, isn’t done with big growth and predict it will more than double by 2030 to $277 billion.
This category is very dog-dominated — dog owners spend, on average, $1,480 per year, while an average of $902 is spent annually by cat owners; therefore, there are a lot of dog-focused products, including food.
Some startups in the pet space have tried to give equal footing to both dogs and cats, for example, The Farmer’s Dog, which direct-to-consumer cat food brand Smalls co-founder and CEO Matt Michaelson says is a close competitor. However, there are relatively few that cater just to cats. Smalls is among a small group that includes Cat Person, Ziggy, Made by Nacho and KatKin.
“It became really clear that during the pandemic, adoption was skyrocketing,” Michaelson told TechCrunch. “Cat adoption really outpaced dog adoption, so we expected the category to heat up and that there would be more innovation at this point. However, we’re still really alone in bringing fresh food to the category and to cat parents. That was a surprise to us. We think there’s a continuing manifestation of the cultural bias against cats and toward dogs in the U.S.”
Five years and over four product introductions later, Michaelson and co-founder Calvin Bohn are guiding the company to take matters into its own hands and expand by opening a first-of-its-kind cat café and launching into retail, Michaelson said. This was buoyed by $19 million in Series B funding in a round that closed in mid-2022.
The company has now raised a total of $34 million, which includes a $9 million Series A that TechCrunch covered in 2020. Michaelson didn’t disclose valuation for the most recent round, but did call it an “up round.”
The Series B is led by existing investors Founder Collective, Companion Fund and Left Lane Capital and also includes new investors like Valor Capital, 301 INC, General Mills’ venture capital arm and The Ohio State University’s endowment fund.
In addition to the cat café, which will open in New York in the fall, and retail launch, the new capital enables Smalls to grow its headcount by 25%. The company has 50 people currently.
The brand has doubled year over year in both customers and revenue since 2017, growing to eight figures in sales to feed more than 100,000 cats. Amid all that growth, Smalls also has a path to profitability, Michaelson said.
“We are still a tiny sliver of a $12 billion category,” Michaelson said. “Anyone can advertise on TV or the subway, but only Smalls could open a cat café and it make sense. That’s one example of many things we want to do to build the brand. The other piece is continuing to invest in product innovation. Fresh food is a very fast-growing category, and we think there’s plenty of room in it, but we need to stay one step and two steps ahead of the category to continue to bring healthier food and healthier products to market.”
Fresh funding gives cat food brand Smalls avenue into retail for the first time by Christine Hall originally published on TechCrunch
Today may possibly be the happiest (and cutest) national day in the world – it’s National Puppy Day! Being a new pet parent can be overwhelming, I’ve been there… So if you’re welcoming home a new puppy, or just looking to spoil your current one, here are 7 essential items to cover all your bases. After all, their happiness is your happiness! Plus, they’re all tested and approved by #dogintern, Koda, and trust me, she’s a picky one.
Did you know that puppies sleep for about 18 hours a day? All that rest is when their brain, body, and immune system are doing the most developing, so it’s no surprise that a comfy bed is the #1 thing they’ll be needing. Unlike most foam beds that trap heat, Koda especially loves Newton Baby’s Pet Bed, which features the same Wovenaire technology as their award-winning mattress. Koda’s an Aussie-mix with two fur coats, so she really appreciates a bed that keeps her comfy without getting her too warm! It’s designed to be 100% breathable, washable, and better sleep for your pup. (Extra emphasis on ‘washable’ because we all know accidents are prone to happen with new puppies.) For puppies that paw – not to worry because the bed cover is also scratch-resistant!
Timeless, simple, and made of food-grade stainless steel that’s dishwasher safe, Wild One’s bowls are perfect for mealtimes. The nonslip silicone base keeps the bowls from moving around, but if you want to go one step further, they also have matching silicone placemats to catch any spillage! With a messy drinker like Koda, the placemat is a lifesaver. It keeps my floors clean and dry, and it’s so easy to wipe down. Available in 2 sizes, with the option of neutrals (Black or Tan) or a pop of color (Lilac or their seasonal addition, Spruce)!
With all that puppy energy, long walks are a great way to tire them out. Maxbone’s GO! With Ease Hands Free Leash is perfect for us hoomans because 1) the leash distance is adjustable and 2) it can be worn around the waist or shoulder, making it one less thing to worry about while you’re training your puppy to heel. It can still be used as a regular leash if you don’t want to go hands-free, but I love the fact that it’s versatile to however YOU want to use it! Pair it with the matching Signature Collar + the GO! With Ease Pouch, and you two will be the most stylish duo on the block. Call me extra, but the Pouch is such an easy way to elevate your walking game since it can be attached to the leash. (Step aside, Lululemon Fanny Pack!) Load it up with your phone, credit cards, keys, and poop bags, and you’re good to go!
It’s hard to avoid your puppy tracking in dirt and germs from outside, but at least Dandylion makes it easy to clean! Their Clean Paws No-Rinse Foaming Cleanser has become my second best friend as it instantly washes Koda’s paws without the need to rinse. The foamy formulation and soft silicone bristles allow for a gentle deep cleanse with plant-based ingredients that soothe, nourish, and provide anti-microbial benefits! Just simply remove the cap, pump out some foam, and gently massage into those hard-to-reach areas. Wipe dry and your puppy’s ready to roam free again. I love that they have a refill bottle so that when you’re through with the bottle, you can reuse your pump to stay eco-friendly!
A daily routine extended to your puppy – personalized supplements for dogs have become a thing. Vet-formulated and pet-approved, Dandy has supplements that you can customize from scratch or simply choose pre-made packs to eliminate any guesswork. They also have a short quiz you can take, which gives you a vet recommendation based on your pup’s unique needs! For me, it’s been an uphill battle with Koda’s allergies, so I appreciate that their vet-formulated packs are a quick and easy no-brainer for me. They’re even available at some retailers so we never have to worry about going a day without them. Depending on your pup, choose from Allergy, Anxiety, or Wellness Care to target their concerns. (They also have Joint Care for anyone with older dogs!)
As mentioned before, this short puppy period is full of development. Physical fun and exercise help their little bodies develop, while mental challenges help grow their brains. Fable’s Enrichment Set includes The Game and 2 Falcon Toys, which allow for interactive or independent play. Their Twin Falcon Toy is also a great option if you’re looking for a two-in-one. Enrichment isn’t just limited to mealtime; the open cavities on the Falcons can be stuffed with spreads like peanut butter, but don’t worry about the mess – the toys are top rack dishwasher safe! (Just try to skip the heated dry cycle.) Koda’s a huge lover of peanut butter and non-fat Greek yogurt, so she always knows what time it is when I bring out her Twin Falcon!
Durable, non-toxic, and easy to clean, Fable’s Signature Balls are an upgrade from your typical tennis ball. They aren’t just for a good chase, they’re also great for mental stimulation! The two openings minimize choking risk, but you can also fill it up with spreads to keep your pup busy. Hand wash with soap and water, and they’re good as new.
It’s also nice to mention that Winnie Lou gives back to the dog community by donating some of their proceeds to local rescues each quarter. Koda herself was a rescue, so brownie points there!
Maivy Tran is a California native and if she’s not brainstorming narratives or curating content, she’s probably at the dog park with her pup Koda. See the BTS of her life over on Instagram.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!
Well-known maker and homesteader Caleb Kraft was having trouble with his chickens constantly being eaten by wild critters. So, he got a goose, who he named Lucy, to help protect them. He probably didn't anticipate two things: One, how hard he would fall in love with Lucy, and that she would end up becoming a TikTok star, getting millions of views on her posts. — Read the rest
This pet crab eating an onion ring is severely entertaining. The onion ring is almost as large as the crab, which holds it in both hands, taking one tiny nibble after the other. I've never seen a crab look so content before! — Read the rest
And by Fritz, we mean Approved by Fritz’s CEAO (Chief Entertainment and Approval Officer), a rescue dog from South Carolina and the inspiration behind the pet accessory brand founded by Danielle Heeren. When the realities of the pandemic first started to settle in, she, like many people, found herself looking for a four-legged companion and ended up on a waiting list to adopt a dog. Soon, Fritz entered her life and sparked the impetus that would eventually become Approved by Fritz. From dog beds to collar and leashes, the brand is an extension of who Heeren is: a New Yorker with a love of the city and her dog.
The dog beds, from the cover to the insert cushion, are made from recycled PET bottles and add a fun pattern to the homes of dog- and design-lovers. The cover is machine washable and scratch-proof.
Echoing in durability, the collar and leash sets are made from PVC coated nylon, making them easy to clean, odor resistant, and durable for walks in New York’s environments and abroad. The two-tone color combinations are all inspired by the city: street colors, subway train seats, Lady Liberty, Brooklyn murals, and NY sports teams.
The two-tone poop bag carriers, also made from recycled PET, add a fun pop of color for a necessary chore that’s not always exciting to do.
To shop the full collection of cheerful dog accessories, visit Approved by Fritz.
New research with pythons and lizards identifies a gene that results in white blotches, or piebald coloration, in reptiles.
Much of what we know about skin coloration and patterning in vertebrates generally, including in snakes, is based on lab mice. However, there are limits to what mice can tell us about other vertebrates because they don’t share all of the same types of color-producing cells, known as chromatophores. For example, snakes have a type of chromatophore called iridophores that can generate iridescent colors by reflecting light.
To gain a better understanding of the genetic basis of coloration in vertebrates, researchers combined a range of techniques—whole gene sequencing, gene-editing, and electron microscopy—to look more closely at color variations and patterning in the skin shed by ball pythons bred in captivity.
They were able to identify a particular gene (tfec) that plays a crucial role in reptile pigmentation generally and more specifically in a classic color variant found across vertebrates and distinguished by blotches of white, the piebald.
The sale of captive-bred reptiles is a $1.4 billion industry within the US alone. Over 4.5 million American households keep reptiles, and close to one in five of these are snakes bred in captivity. Due to the spectacular color variations produced through captive breeding, an individual ball python (Python regius, originally found in West and Central Africa) can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
“Ball pythons show incredible variation in skin coloring and patterning, which is part of their appeal for hobbyists, but also makes them really useful for researchers who want to understand the genetic basis of coloration,” says Rowan Barrett, interim director of McGill University’s Redpath Museum and the senior author of the paper in Current Biology.
“The pet trade has created a huge pool of color variation that would not have existed otherwise. This provides a catalogue for us to figure out the many ways that genes produce the amazing diversity of colors, spots, and stripes we see across different animals.”
To identify the genes that control a particular trait, scientists look for genetic variants that are present in animals that have the trait and absent in animals that don’t. Using shed skin collected from snake breeders, Barrett’s team found that piebald snakes carried the same mutation in the tfec gene.
But a common problem for scientists is that finding a correlation between a gene and a particular trait, such as the piebaldism, does not imply causation. To make that functional link, the McGill researchers collaborated with Doug Menke’s lab at the University of Georgia to modify tfec in a different reptile species, the brown anole lizard, using the gene-editing technology CRISPR. They found that genetically modified lizards do indeed show altered coloration, proving that mutations to tfec cause changes to color-producing cells.
“Our research advances knowledge of the genetics of vertebrate coloration generally and particularly of the development of iridescent cells, which haven’t been studied as much as other color pathways” adds Alan Garcia-Elfring, a PhD student in McGill’s biology department and the first author of the paper.
“It also highlights the potential benefits of working with non-academic communities like ball python breeders to accelerate discoveries in fundamental science. Our job, at this point, is to figure out what other mutations underlie all this variation seen in captivity, and how these mutations interact. It’s an exciting time for both researchers and reptile hobbyists.”
Source: McGill University
The post To explain piebald pythons, study pets and lizards appeared first on Futurity.
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