NEW YORK — PetPlate, a fresh, human-grade dog food brand, announced March 20 a distribution expansion into more than 700 PetSmart stores throughout the United States. According to the company, this recent retail expansion marks a significant milestone for PetPlate as it continues to advance toward its mission of providing pet owners access to vet-formulated, nutritious foods for their four-legged companions.

This expansion into PetSmart comes on the heels of PetPlate’s distribution expansion into the e-commerce arena via Chewy and Amazon in 2023. 

“Our mission is simple: we make it easy for pet parents to help their dogs live longer, healthier and happier lives through better nutrition,” said Renaldo Webb, founder and chief executive officer at PetPlate. “I can’t think of a better way to give dogs and pet parents access to PetPlate than teaming up with partners like PetSmart and Chewy to give consumers more options to buy.”

The fresh pet food category is witnessing rapid growth within the industry, fueled by the continued humanization of pets and increasing demand for more minimally processed formats from younger pet parents, particularly Millennials and Gen Zers. According to PetPlate, more than 50% of pet parents use toppers or are exploring the fresh category when feeding their furry companions. 

Though the fresh pet food category has mainly flourished in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce space, as well as subscription services, brick-and-mortar remains an important channel for the overall industry, leading many to develop omnichannel strategies to capture consumers in both channels. 

Through this partnership with PetSmart, PetPlate is hoping to bring the fresh pet food segment’s growth to the brick-and-mortar channel. PetSmart will carry a range of PetPlate’s complete-and-balanced meals, including six recipes formulated with novel proteins, grain-free alternatives and ancient-grain diets, all catering to a variety of nutritional needs. The products will also be available via PetSmart’s website, furthering advancing PetPlate’s omnichannel strategy. 

All of PetPlate’s entrées are produced in the company’s USDA-approved facility based in the Midwest and are formulated with support from Veterinary Nutritionist Renee Streeter, DVM. All of the recipes are made with human-grade proteins and locally sourced produce, meaning that the diets are highly digestible and great for picky eaters or dogs with digestive sensitivities, according to PetPlate. 

In addition to nutritional benefits, PetPlate’s products also offer consumers enhanced convenience. The company’s products come in pre-portioned and resealable cups available in various sizes to accommodate topper or full meal feeding, as well as to reduce mess for pet parents. According to PetPlate, this packaging solution not only offers enhanced convenience, but also helps prevent overfeeding and ensures a formula’s freshness. 

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