Petworking

Debbie Hendrickx spent 18 years as a Nordstrom buyer before a 2 AM idea sent her to a Seattle dog park with an orange cart and two flavors written on a cup in Sharpie. Nine years later, Swell is a premium frozen dog treat brand in 1,600 stores across the US and Canada. Peter Kenseth talks with Debbie about building a physical product the hard way, from the co-manufacturer problem that made her sell her house and buy a factory, to cold chain economics, channel strategy, and why she built her brand on independent pet. They get into trade show math, a DTC subscription idea that doesn't require her to ship a single box, and the thesis at the heart of it all. Ingredients make a product. A memorable experience makes a brand.

🐾 In this episode of Petworking, Peter sits down with Mark Bordo, CEO of Vetster, one of the leading telehealth platforms transforming veterinary care. With 40-50% of dogs not visiting the vet annually and 60% of cats having NEVER been to a veterinarian, the access crisis is real—but telemedicine might be the solution we've been waiting for.What You'll Learn:Why the veterinarian shortage crisis is creating opportunities for televet innovationHow VCPR regulations work and why they matter for pet parentsThe role of wearables and at-home diagnostics in virtual veterinary careWhy Mark believes we're 2-5 years away from mainstream televet adoptionKey Takeaways:✅ Telemedicine serves 20+ animal species, not just dogs and cats✅ Virtual care can catch issues early, preventing expensive emergency visits✅ Flexible scheduling helps veterinarians avoid burnout while expanding access✅ Technology integration (wearables, diagnostics) is making virtual exams more comprehensiveWhether you're a pet parent looking for more accessible care options or a veterinary professional exploring career flexibility, this conversation reveals how telemedicine is reshaping the future of animal healthcare.🎧 Subscribe to Petworking for more insights into the innovations transforming the pet industry!

In this Petworking interview from Global Pet 2025, Peter Kenseth speaks with Lara Bernhardt of Ethos Pet Brands about Natural Balance's new three-pillar product categorization, and how its legacy of limited ingredient diets is evolving to address the increasing challenge of pet food allergies.The interview explores Natural Balance's new three-pillar product categorization (Nourish, Target, Avoid) and how it reflects the pet food industry's growing focus on microbiome health and functional nutrition. As a brand historically known for limited ingredient diets, Natural Balance has expanded its offerings of novel proteins like venison, bison, and duck as alternatives to chicken — now recognized as a common allergen for dogs.The interview highlights an unexpected practical application of the Plant Powered vegetarian formula as an elimination diet tool. For pets with multiple food sensitivities, this plant-based option serves as a "reset button," allowing pet parents to systematically introduce individual proteins to identify specific triggers.If your pet shows signs of food sensitivities, this discussion provides valuable insights into potential nutritional approaches, though consulting with your veterinarian is always recommended.

Join Peter Kenseth from Petworking as he chats with Nate Kredich, President of Himalayan Pet Supply, at Global Pet Expo 2025. Learn how Himalayan Pet Supply created the original yak chew nearly two decades ago, providing economic opportunities for Nepalese farmers who faced the challenge of limited infrastructure for milk distribution. Rather than letting this valuable resource go to waste, Himalayan's founder developed a process to transform yak and cow milk into long-lasting dog chews - creating an entirely new market for these rural farmers.In this interview, Nate reveals:- The fascinating origin story behind their iconic yak cheese chews- How they've built a zero-waste manufacturing process that converts production waste into new products- Their latest innovations in probiotic-infused yogurt sticks targeting gut health and the microbiome- Plans for upcoming product launches in the functional treats categoryIn a $3.4 billion industry dominated by rawhide and other animal byproducts, Himalayan continues to stand out by creating nutritious, sustainable alternatives that deliver genuine value to pets, pet parents, and the farming communities that supply their raw materials.

Join Petworking's Peter Kenseth as he catches up with Danny Leffel, CEO of Roo, at WVC 2025. In this interview, Danny shares exciting updates on:🩺 Expansion into full-time placements with their "try before you buy" approach🚀 New market launches, including Ohio💻 How Roo Code became the #1 app on OpenRouter's leaderboard👩‍⚕️ Equal shift fulfillment between veterinarians and vet techs🔄 Plans for enhancing their technician platformLearn how Roo is addressing veterinary burnout by providing unprecedented flexibility for professionals while helping clinics find the perfect staff matches in an industry facing serious shortages.

🐕 PETWORKING 2-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: Leap Years Returns!Join host Peter Kenseth as he reunites with Dr. Ginny Renko from Leap Years, now joined by anti-aging specialist Dr. Heather Oxford, to explore fascinating developments in pet longevity science! Two years after our inaugural episode, discover how NAD+ supplementation is transforming the lives of senior dogs, with remarkable stories of 17-year-old pups building muscle and regaining their vitality.Learn about the published clinical trial results, hear real veterinary experiences, and understand the science behind this innovative approach to pet aging. Whether your furry friend is just entering middle age or enjoying their golden years, this conversation offers valuable insights into extending not just lifespan, but quality of life for our beloved companions.Subscribe to Petworking as we celebrate our 2-year anniversary! 🎂 #PetLongevity #SeniorDogCare #LeapYears

Join Peter Kenseth of Petworking as he interviews Brad Bytof, Strategic Account Manager at Tiki Cat (Whitebridge Pet Brands) at Global Pet Expo 2025.Despite mixed signals about "The Year of the Cat," Tiki Cat continues to dominate the specialty pet channel with exciting new launches! Discover their innovative "Tiki Cat Solutions" line with mix-and-match functional options, new goat's milk replacer in convenient packaging, and extensions to their premium "After Dark" range.Brad shares insights on navigating their recent acquisition by General Mills, how business remains "as usual," and what we might expect at Super Zoo later this year. Plus, the two dog dads share a laugh about learning the ins and outs of cat nutrition!