Native Pet

Native Pet is a St. Louis-based pet nutrition company targeting the growing market of pet owners seeking to enhance their pets' diets beyond standard kibble. Founded in 2017 by childhood friends Dan Schaefer and Pat Barron, the company was born from their shared passion for nutrition and a desire to address the declining health trends in pets. Schaefer's journey into pet wellness began when he adopted a malnourished Labrador, Louie, which highlighted the limitations of mass-market pet food and the opportunity to customize pet diets for specific health outcomes. This personal experience, combined with a mutual burnout from their corporate careers in finance and consulting, propelled the founders to create a business with a positive impact.

The company operates on a direct-to-consumer and retail business model, generating revenue through the sale of its specialized pet supplements. Initially launching on Amazon in 2017, Native Pet has since expanded its distribution significantly. Its products are now available on its own website, Chewy, Thrive Market, and in major retail stores including Target, CVS, Petco, and Tractor Supply Company. This expansion has been fueled by substantial venture capital investment, including a $6 million Series A round in 2022 and an $11 million Series B round in 2023, both led by CAVU Consumer Partners. The total funding raised amounts to over $18 million, which is being used to accelerate product development and broaden its retail footprint.

Native Pet's core offering consists of a line of supplements for dogs and cats made with limited, clean-label ingredients. The company’s product development philosophy bridges the gap between traditional nutraceuticals and the consumer demand for functional, whole-food solutions. Their formulas, created in collaboration with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and food scientists, utilize research-backed, recognizable ingredients like pumpkin, bone broth, and chicken protein to address specific health benefits. This approach ensures efficacy and palatability, which is confirmed through extensive taste-testing with dogs before products are launched. The product line is intentionally designed with no fillers or additives, focusing on providing targeted nutrition to enhance the daily routines and overall wellness of pets.

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