The emphasis of this portion of our guide is on e-commerce retailers of food, toys, accessories, and other products for pets and other animals, including livestock, horses, and wild animals.
Retailers with brick-and-mortar stores could also be listed here if a significant portion of their business is done online. For example, Petco has stores throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico, and Mexico, while PetSmart has well over a thousand stores in the United States and Canada, but they also have active online businesses. In 2017, PetSmart reported that its online business accounted for 14% of its total sales, and it's likely that this has increased since then.
Major competitors of Petco and PetSmart are Chewy and Amazon, both online retailers. Although Amazon is not centered on its pet products business, the e-commerce retailer accounts for a significant percentage of overall sales of pet and animal products. Since I live seventy miles away from a dedicated pet products store, I buy a lot of pet products from Amazon.
For much of the long period of time in which dogs have been domesticated, they were fed scraps derived from human food preparation or leftovers from the table, while cats were largely left to fend for themselves.
The pet food industry can trace its roots back to England in 1860 when James Spratt invented the dog biscuit. Made of vegetables, wheat, and beef blood, these biscuits gained popularity among wealthy people with sporting dogs. The first commercial cat food became available in the United Kingdom around the same time.
Competition in the pet food market intensified in the early 1900s. Milk Bones were introduced by the F.H. Bennett Biscuit Company in 1908, and Spratt's and Bennett's biscuits dominated the market until the 1920s.
Made from leftover grain and meat (often horsemeat), canned pet food emerged in the 1920s. Ken-L-Ration was introduced in 1922.
The canned pet food industry was disrupted during World War II, as its manufacturers were categorized as non-essential and faced material rationing. During this time, dry commercial pet foods gained traction among women working in the war industries, who had less time for food preparation.
Extrusion technology revolutionized pet food production. Kibble, as we know it today, was developed in the mid-20th century. Additionally, cat food formulations improved, catering to the special needs of felines, with an emphasis on feline health and coat condition.
Over the years, pet owners have become more discerning. Premium pet foods with high-quality ingredients have gained popularity today. As I can attest, with evidence from my last four cats who lived to be in their mid-20s and beyond (one nearly making it to 29), premium pet foods can extend and improve the lives of your pet while decreasing veterinary bills.
The pet food industry has come a long way, with the sophisticated options that are available today.
Of course, the pet products industry extends far beyond pet foods and treats. This category includes various pet supplies, such as toys, beds, leashes, and grooming products, as well as over-the-counter medicine.
Besides pets, other domesticated animals include alpacas, cattle, chickens, donkeys, ducks, geese, goats, horses, llamas, pigs, sheep, turkeys, and others. Retailers of feed, supplies, tools, and accessories used in the care of these animals could also be listed here.
For example, people who own horses are likely to invest in tack (saddles, bridles, bits, halters, lead ropes, saddle pads, blankets, stirrups, stirrup leathers, girths, and cinches), and stable supplies (mucking supplies, feeding supplies, wash stall essentials, and various forms of bedding).
People have also been feeding wild birds and animals for centuries, a practice that probably began as a way to appreciate and protect birds. Initially, scraps and local feed stores were a common source of bird food. In the 1940s, Knauf and Tesch became a national distributor of dried peas for pigeon feed, and this may have marked the beginning of the wild bird food industry. After William Engler, Sr. joined the company in 1945, it began focusing on products for wild birds, pet birds, and small animals.
Over time, bird feeding evolved from food scraps to specialized seed blends and sophisticated feeding stations. As the industry expanded, national chains of wild bird specialty stores emerged.
Popular bird food products include black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle) seeds, suet, seed mixes, mealworms, and specialty foods, such as hummingbird nectar.
While a lot of people will buy products designed to prevent or discourage squirrels from getting into their bird feeders, others buy squirrel food. I place it in a bowl on my second-floor fire escape and let the squirrels and the bluejays compete for it, a task for which they appear to be equally matched.
Categories
CatsDogsFish | HorsesMemorialsSupplies |
Recommended Resources
Animal Supply Company is a wholesaler that delivers to locations across the United States, with distribution centers in the West, Northeast, South, and Southeast regions. Its delivery areas are posted on the company's website, and the company states that it can deliver to most areas in the continental U.S. within two days. A list of the brands is noted, filtered by state. Retail and brand partnerships are available, although a retailer account is required for shopping.
https://animalsupply.com/
In business since 2003, Blue Buffalo has contributed to the pet food industry. It offers dog and cat foods made from high-quality natural ingredients, with real meat as the first ingredient and no corn, soy, or wheat. Its philosophy on dog and cat feeding and nutrition is defined on its website, and the ingredients in its food are listed. For dogs, Blue features dry and wet foods and treats; for cats, it offers dry and wet foods, treats, and snacks. Informational articles and tips are included.
https://bluebuffalo.com/
Chewy is an American online retailer of pet food and other pet-related products. Founded in 2009, Chewy was acquired by PetSmart in 2017, although it operates as a separate business. Its product catalog includes a full line of dog and cat food products, as well as products for chickens and other birds, farm animals, horses, small pets, fish, and reptiles. Special offers are highlighted, along with a gift guide, gift cards, job opportunities, investor relations data, and its affiliate program.
https://www.chewy.com/
The company, which specializes in pet food and other pet products for dogs and cats of all ages, was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2002. Its products can be found in retail stores throughout the United States and Canada. Nearby companies carrying its products can be found on a map sorted by country, zip code, and radius. Additionally, online shopping is available through its catalog of dog or cat products, brands, or special offers. Informational articles are also featured.
https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/
Founded in 1988 in Redford, Michigan, the privately held pet supply retailer has more than seven hundred stores in thirty-six states, including its in-house pet food brand, "Redford Naturals." In 2021, it became part of Franchise Group, Inc. The website notes its services, franchise opportunities, leadership team, and career opportunities, and store locations can be found there. Alternatively, purchases can be made through its e-commerce website, with products organized by pet.
https://www.petsuppliesplus.com/
Petco Health and Wellness Company is an American pet retailer with corporate offices in San Diego and San Antonio. Through its website and approximately 1,500 stores across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, Petco sells pet food, products, and services, along with small animals, fish, and birds. Online shoppers can browse top sellers, deals by pet type, popular items, new and trending products, or its top dog or cat categories. Nearby stores can be found through the website.
http://www.petco.com/
Petplanet is part of MB Group, a privately held company based in Livingston, Scotland. Offering free UK delivery on most orders over £45, shoppers can browse its product catalog, which is sorted by dog food, dog products, cat food, cat products, kittens, puppies, small pets, and pet health, as well as by special offers, brands, and new products. Also included are product reviews, customer testimonials, and an introduction to its partner programs. Quick reorders are enabled.
https://www.petplanet.co.uk/
Founded in 1986, PetSmart is a privately held US-based chain of pet superstores selling pet products, services, and small pets. It has more than 1,600 stores in the United States and Canada and an online shopping site. Stores also provide services, such as grooming, dog daycare, boarding, veterinary care, and dog training, as well as dog and cat adoptions. Online shoppers can shop by brand, by pet, by special offers, or by featured products, and nearby retail stores may be found online.
https://www.petsmart.com/
Headquartered in Indiranagar, an affluent neighborhood in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Supertails is an online pet products store offering 24-hour delivery in 24 cities and a complimentary online vet consult for every new member. Its online product catalog specializes in dogs and cats. The catalog offers full lines of dog and cat products, and shoppers may also shop by breed or special offers or view or purchase its Henlo brand of dog food. Also included is an online pharmacy.
https://supertails.com/
The Hay Shed sells premium hay and straw online in the UK for small pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. They also sell forage, barley straw and small pet treats. All hay and straw is grown on their Northumberland farm.
https://thehayshed.co.uk/
In business since 2001, WholesalePet helps independent pet retailers source and buy high quality, differentiated products. The company partners with suppliers who support independents, presenting complete wholesale catalogs, prices, and order terms for more than five hundred brands. Available solely to businesses, the online shopping site allows retailers to place orders directly with vendors, saving time and effort. Its product categories, vendors, and brands are highlighted.
https://www.wholesalepet.com/
