In this interview from WVC 2025, Peter Kenseth speaks with Bud Hanson from Freshpet about their approach to veterinary education. As the pioneer in refrigerated fresh pet food, Freshpet focuses on helping veterinarians understand that their products are fully cooked, not raw, addressing safety concerns around Avian flu and other pathogens.

Bud explains that Freshpet is now fed in approximately 13 million households, meaning roughly 1 in 5 canine patients that veterinarians see are already eating their products. The company emphasizes the nutritional benefits of their gently cooked approach, including higher amino acid availability compared to both kibble and raw diets.

The interview highlights how some veterinarians are recommending Freshpet as an alternative to home cooking, offering clients who want fresh food a complete and balanced option that's consistent batch to batch. With specialized formulations like Healthy Aging for senior dogs and solutions for sensitive stomachs, Freshpet continues to innovate after nearly 20 years in the market.

This conversation explores the growing trend of fresh pet nutrition and the importance of bridging the gap between veterinary recommendations and consumer preferences.

🐱 YEAR OF THE CAT? Fera Pets' New Feline Supplements | Global Pet Expo 2025

Join Petworking's Peter Kenseth as he catches up with Dr. Michelle Dulake, veterinarian and founder of Fera Pet Organics, at Global Pet Expo 2025. Dr. Dulake reveals Fera's exciting new microbiome-focused cat supplements launching soon, including a mountain lion-derived probiotic blend for feline wellness, targeted kidney support, and an immune formula with lysine.

Also featured: Fera's innovative dental supplement that works from the inside out using clinically-studied postbiotics rather than mechanical cleaning. Learn how the pet industry is embracing microbiome science to transform pet health from the gut outward.

#PetHealth #Microbiome #FelineCare #GlobalPetExpo #FeralPets #Petworking #CatSupplements

In this interview from Global Pet Expo 2025, Peter Kenseth sits down with Peter Christiani, EVP at Portland Pet Food Company, to discuss innovations in shelf-stable fresh pet food.

As pioneers in this growing category, Portland Pet Food shares insights on how retailers are now creating dedicated shelf space for premium pouch products. Christiani demonstrates their human-grade meals that can be microwaved to enhance aroma - perfect for picky eaters and senior dogs.

The company unveils two new products: a multi-pack option supporting rotational feeding, and a new USA-sourced lamb formula. These shelf-stable options bridge the gap between traditional kibble and frozen fresh foods, offering convenience without sacrificing quality.

Watch to learn how Portland Pet Food continues to innovate in the minimally-processed pet food movement with products made exclusively from human-grade ingredients in US facilities.

In this special Global Pet Expo 2025 preview episode of Petworking, host Peter Kenseth interviews leading pet industry executives including Greg Kean (Wellness), Patrick McGee (Get Joy), Courtney Louch (Primal), and Dr. Greg Aldrich (Nulo). These experts share their predictions for emerging trends that will dominate the show floor, including "Humanization 2.0" in fresh and minimally processed foods, the rising importance of cat-specific innovation, multi-component products that combine different processing methods, holistic approaches to pet longevity, and packaging innovations that enhance consumer communication. They also discuss how brands are navigating avian flu concerns and the return to value-consciousness in a challenging economy. Don't miss these valuable insights before heading to Orlando!

In this episode of Petworking, host Peter Kenseth sits down with Cecilia, founder and CEO of BistroCat, to explore how this innovative "Kitty Keurig" is revolutionizing cat care. Launching in November 2025, BistroCat isn't just an automated wet food feeder - it's a comprehensive health monitoring platform that could change how we understand feline health.

Discover how BistroCat tracks eating behaviors to detect health issues before they become severe, why the company delayed their launch to incorporate customer feedback, and the surprising data insights that have major pet food brands eager to partner with them. Plus, learn about their acceptance into Mars Petcare's LEAP Venture Studio and their plans for veterinary telehealth integration.

As cats have historically been underserved in both veterinary medicine and pet tech, BistroCat represents an important step forward in recognizing cats' unique needs. Use code "PETWORKING" for 40% off when you pre-order with a food subscription!

🐕 BREAKING: First-Ever Dog Aging Drug Gets FDA Approval! 🐕In this episode of Petworking, Peter Kenseth interviews Dr. Brennen McKenzie from Loyal For Dogs at WVC 2025 about their groundbreaking news - FDA approval for "reasonable expectation of efficacy" for the world's first aging drug for dogs!Dr. McKenzie explains how Loyal's drug targets metabolic decline in older dogs (10+ years and over 14 pounds) and could hit the market by late 2025 or early 2026. This could be the first-ever aging drug approved in ANY species!⏰ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction and breaking news0:30 - Three components of approval process1:05 - How the drug targets metabolic decline1:45 - Loyal's second program for large breed dogs2:30 - Who qualifies and how to get it3:15 - The STAY clinical trial and future plansThe pet longevity revolution is happening NOW! The science of aging is expanding beyond humans to our furry companions, with more innovative products hitting the market.Interested in more dog-related aging news?🔔 SUBSCRIBE for a future episode featuring Leap Years, an exciting NAD+ precursor supplement designed to support healthy aging in pets!💬 COMMENT BELOW: How old is your dog? Would you try an anti-aging treatment?

In this exclusive Petworking interview from WVC 2025, I had a chance to chat with Kevin DeWalt, President of @CASCO Pet, to explore one of the most exciting innovations transforming veterinary care!One of the biggest themes I noticed at this year's conference was the complete reimagining of traditional veterinary spaces - moving away from clinical, institutional environments toward designs that prioritize comfort and aesthetics for both pets and their parents.CASCO's WELLKennels perfectly embody this shift. These revolutionary kennels replace cold stainless steel cages with thoughtfully designed units featuring:- Sound-dampening materials that reduce stress for all animals in the clinic- Smart lighting with three modes (Daylight, Recovery, Cleaning)- Integrated heating elements for patient comfort- Enhanced biosecurity features- Flexible configurations for different patient sizes and needs- Power outlets for medical equipment right at the point of care- Optional oxygen delivery systemsIn our conversation, Kevin explains how these innovations not only make the veterinary experience less stressful for pets but also improve workflow for staff and create a more appealing environment for pet parents. We also discuss exciting applications beyond vet clinics, including shelters and mobile transport units!Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Petworking for more exclusive interviews with the innovators transforming pet care!What features would you want to see in your vet's clinic? Comment below!

If you're a pet parent, you've doubtlessly had at least one stressful experience bringing your pet to the vet. However, we can all agree that regular vet visits are critical to maintaining your pet's health. So, what's the solution?One of the biggest themes I observed at WVC2025 was the reimagining of veterinary clinics and care models to create spaces that more comfortable for both pets and their parents. This transformation extends beyond architecture and interior design. Did you know KONG is now helping transform the veterinary experience? I had a chance to talk to Dr. Danielle Graziano, Head Veterinarian at KONG, about how they've launched new clinic kits designed by veterinarians to support fear-free handling and cooperative care.This is an ingenious adaptation of the brand's trusted pet products to turn the exam room into a more positive experience, providing vets with practical tools to reduce patient stress.In this interview, we explore:- How their spinning lick mats and specialized toys create positive distractions during exams and procedures- Solutions for both cats and dogs that respect their emotional wellbeing- How these tools integrate into clinics without requiring complete renovationsAs pet parents, we all know the anxiety our furry friends can experience at the vet. My dog, Peony, loves her Fear-Free certified vet but still gets nervous in exam rooms. KONG's approach addresses this common challenge with practical solutions.I'm excited to see more and more companies and clinics give thoughtful consideration to animals' emotional wellbeing. Kudos to Dr. Graziano and KONG!

Continuing Petworking's examination of the reimagining of traditional veterinary clinics to create spaces that are not just functional, but comfortable for both pets and their parents, I'm excited to share my interview with Dr. Heather Zaretsky from #WVC2025.Chewy is rapidly emerging as a major player in veterinary care, having already opened 8 clinics (most recently in Austin and Alpharetta), and has plans for continued expansion. During our talk Dr. Heather and I explored Chewy's approach to veterinary care which includes:🛋️ Comfortable clinical environments with couches instead of sterile exam rooms📱 Ipads and exam room screens that show patient information, history, and care plans📊 Digital transparency with screens showing pet parents the same diagnostic images vets see🏠 Unique kennel enclosures without anxiety-inducing metal bars🎓 Comprehensive training (7 weeks for doctors in new clinics!)💳 Membership models that remove financial barriers to regular careUltimately, the goal in veterinary medicine is to make pet care more accessible for pet parents, and to make care more comfortable for the pets.Clinics like the ones Chewy is building create a genuinely calmer environment that allows pets to feel more at ease in a traditionally stressful environment, while making it easier for veterinarians to provide care.When pets are less stressed, veterinarians get more accurate readings and can provide better treatment. And isn't that what everyone is striving for?

Rescue Spot founder Nicole Patrick returns to Petworking to share exciting updates about her pet adoption platform. In this in-depth conversation, Nicole reveals how Rescue Spot is transforming the animal welfare landscape by:

• Launching a major platform upgrade that will integrate data from thousands of shelters
• Creating the first dedicated fostering website in the industry
• Implementing AI to provide personalized pet care recommendations
• Maintaining a free service for shelters while monetizing through strategic partnerships

We explore how Rescue Spot's universal application system is solving the "clogged pipeline" between pets and adopters, why there's no actual shortage of adoptable pets despite common misconceptions, and how the platform's marketplace model benefits all parties. If you're interested in pet adoption, animal welfare technology, or innovative business models in the pet industry, this episode offers valuable insights into how Rescue Spot is becoming the "eBay of pet adoption."