NEW YORK — Inc., a magazine for and about American entrepreneurs, has released its 2023 Inc. 5000 list, detailing the fastest-growing private US businesses across a variety of industries. This year’s list featured 12 pet industry companies whose three-year revenue growth was clocked among the top 5,000 companies across the country.
All in all, companies named to the 2023 Inc. 5000 list reported a median growth of 219%, representing $358.2 billion in total revenue and adding nearly 1.2 million jobs to the US economy. Additionally, 636 of the companies included in the list are considered newly founded, and 3,048 companies were repeat honorees.
At No. 323 with 1,758% revenue growth is Jiminy’s, a pet food and treat brand focused on combatting climate change through its insect-based dog nutrition products. The company debuted its latest product — insect-based dental chews for dogs — in April 2023. Jiminy’s was also included in the 2022 Inc. 5000 list.
Brutus Broth, a brand adding nutritious bone broth to dogs’ daily diets, came in at No. 373 with 1,556% revenue growth over the last three years. Products by the company include a variety of bone broth recipes fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin, a plant-based salmon bone broth with Omega fatty acids, and on-the-go bone broth for convenience and portability,
Farm Hounds ranked No. 683 with 866% revenue growth. The company offers natural, dehydrated dog treats, chews and food toppers made from animal-based ingredients and proteins sourced from small family farms that use regenerative agriculture practices. Farm Hounds practices transparency for consumers by listing the name of the farm from which it sourced ingredients on every product’s packaging. Each product is 100% sourced from a single farm.
Coming in at No. 684 with 866% three-year revenue growth is Bow Wow Labs, a dog-focused brand offering natural chews, bully sticks, collagen chews and baked biscuit treats, as well as oral health products and a safety device for securing its chew products to prevent choking risks.
Encompass Pet Group, which owns Choice Pet Products, ranked No. 1,332 with 437% revenue growth. Encompass owns the Snuggle Puppy brand of pet products, as well as DOGPerfect, a retail store chain based in Sarasota, Fla. Choice Pet Products was established in 2014 as a team of brand ambassadors serving the pet industry, and has since grown into an independent distributor partner for the Florida region. In September, Encompass announced it will transform Choice Pet Products into a logistics arm to support its Snuggle Puppy and DOGPerfect businesses.
At no. 1,872 with 300% three-year revenue growth is Vetnique Pet Products, a brand of vet-developed dog supplements and health products that was acquired by private equity firm Gryphon Investors in April. Products include soft chew and powder supplements targeting allergies, anal gland health, probiotic support and calming benefits, as well as various ear-cleaning and anti-fungal wipes and an allergy relief shampoo. Vetnique was also named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list.
Vital Pet Life, a pet wellness brand focused on fish oil products, was ranked No. 2,109 with 265% revenue growth. The company is women-owned and upholds a strict commitment to transparency and ingredient integrity, partnering with Bioriginal and ORIVO to ensure its salmon- and pollock-oil pet products are accurately labeled and responsibly sourced. Vital Pet Life was also named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list
SmarterPaw was ranked No. 2,374 with 232% revenue growth. The pet product company started with simple catnip and has since grown to include two brands: Meowijuana and Doggijuana. SmarterPaw was also named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list, and its Meowijuana brand was ranked among the 2020 Inc. 5000 list.
Carnivore Meat Company, parent company of raw and freeze-dried pet nutrition brand Vital Essentials, was listed at No. 3,610 with 135% three-year revenue growth. The company has been growing swiftly since it was founded in 2009, and is slated to open a new manufacturing facility and headquarters later this year. Carnivore Meat Company was also named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list and the 2020 Inc. 5000 list. Read more about Carnivore Meat Company’s operations in Green Bay, Wis., in our exclusive processor profile.
At No. 3,809 with 124% revenue growth is SynergyLabs, a manufacturer of medicated, oral care, natural grooming, shedding, and treating and training solutions for dogs and cats. The company’s Veterinary Formula brand recently introduced a comprehensive rebrand for its supplement and grooming products.
“We’re excited to earn our spot on the Inc. 5000 list for the seventh year in a row,” said Richard Ticktin, founder and chief executive officer of SynergyLabs. “It's truly humbling. We know it's not every day a team can come together to make this happen once, let alone seven times. Staying true to who we are as innovators, no matter what part of the company we're talking about, keeps us moving forward and always optimistic for the future.”
Real Dog, an e-commerce brand offering dog treats and food that tout preventive health benefits, was ranked No. 3,949 with 118% revenue growth over the last three years. The company offers several monthly Real Dog Box subscriptions, including a Treat & Chew Box, a Treat Box, a Chew box, a Mini Treat & Chew Box, a Super Chew, Meatballs, and Kibble Booster meal topper.
Last but not least, “I and love and you” came in at No. 4,802 with 81% three-year revenue growth. The company offers pates, stews, shreds, kibble and treats for dogs and cats, and recently expanded distribution of its premium cat nutrition products to include more than 1,400 Walmart stores across the United States. “I and love and you” was also named to the 2021 Inc. 5000 list
Startups among the list must meet the following criteria to be considered for the Inc. 5000:
- Must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019
- Must be based in the United States
- Must be privately held, for-profit and independent (not subsidiaries) as of Dec. 31, 2022
- Must have at least $100,000 in revenue for 2019, and at least $2 million in revenue for 2022
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