Natural petcare brand Pooch & Mutt has expanded its offering with the acquisition of gut health testing tech firm Biome9, which is backed by Warburtons boss Jonathan Warburton and former Pets at Home CEO Peter Pritchard.
The deal comes after Pooch & Mutt boosted its financial firepower in 2023 thanks to a takeover by long-term production partner and backer Vafo. The new Czech-headquartered Vafo has eight factories across Europe and annual revenues of more than €400m.
Biome9 was launched in 2023 by James Cox, the founding partner of VC firm Stonebridge, providing an at-home gut microbiome testing service for dogs that uses generative AI and a personalised supplements programme.
Pooch & Mutt said that by leveraging Biome9’s expertise it could now provide more precise, science-driven recommendations tailored to each dog’s unique microbiome, and would strengthen the company’s position in the pet nutrition space.
“We’ve always believed in giving pets what they genuinely need, because we genuinely care, and Biome9 is going to help us achieve a better understanding of exactly what that is,” said Pooch & Mutt CEO Paul Dennison.
“The acquisition of Biome9 allows us to expand our offerings with products that perfectly complement our existing portfolio and we will be positioned better to give our customers tailored advice as well as products that ensure dogs’ health needs are supported, allowing them to thrive.”
Biome9’s team and operations will integrate into Pooch & Mutt.
“I am incredibly proud of the work our team has done to establish Biome9 as the market-leading microbiome analysis platform, delivering proven, tangible health benefits for dogs,” added Cox.
“With the canine microbiome facing unprecedented challenges, our mission has always been to develop advanced solutions to address this emerging crisis.
“We believe Vafo Group’s passion for pet wellbeing, global reach, and significant resources make them the ideal partner to bring Biome9 to the worldwide audience it deserves. We look forward to seeing how our innovation will continue to improve the lives of pets around the globe under Vafo’s stewardship.”
Biome9 raised more than £1m last year to continue building the business, with Jonathan Warburton and Peter Pritchard coming on board.
Pooch & Mutt, which launched as a dog health supplement company in 2007, makes a range of natural meals, treats and supplements.
It initially sold a minority stake to Vafo in 2020 before giving the European private label group a 40% share in 2022 and finally selling up completely in 2023.
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