Pet industry M&A picks up again across food, services, and tech

Pet industry dealmaking is picking up again, with several transactions underscoring where capital is flowing across pet food, services, and animal health. Recent moves include AlphaPet Ventures’ March 27, 2026 acquisition of Belgian premium dog and cat food brand Cpro Food, its fifth acquisition since 2020, as the company builds a multi-brand European premium nutrition platform. Earlier deals still shaping the market include Blackstone’s $2.3 billion take-private of Rover, completed in February 2024, Rover’s 2025 agreement to acquire Australia’s Mad Paws, and Covetrus’ 2022 sale to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG, which took the animal health technology and services company private. (ad-hoc-news.de)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this latest wave of M&A signals continued consolidation not just in pet food, but across the broader pet care ecosystem that surrounds clinics, from distribution and pharmacy to digital care platforms and premium consumer brands. Industry analysts say pet M&A remains supported by resilient spending, premiumization, and demand for specialized products and services, even after the post-pandemic market cooled from its earlier peak. That could mean more vertically integrated competitors, more private equity-backed platforms, and more pressure on practices to track how supplier relationships, referral patterns, and pet parent expectations are changing. (spglobal.com)

What to watch: Watch for whether 2026 brings more cross-border acquisitions, especially in premium nutrition, pet services, and tech-enabled animal health, as buyers look for scale after a quieter 2024 and more active 2025. (globalpetindustry.com)