Redbarn just had complications with one move that has Big Pet Food scrambling

Pet owners who’ve been loyal to the same brands for decades might be in for a surprise.

A family-owned company that’s been quietly building its empire is now making moves that could shake up the entire industry.

And Redbarn just had complications with one move that has Big Pet Food scrambling to keep up.

Small Family Company Takes On The Giants

While corporate giants like Mars Incorporated and Nestlé have been dominating pet food aisles for years, a little company from Long Beach, California has been steadily building something different.

Redbarn Pet Products announced this week that it’s expanding its best-selling Air Dried Powerfood line with a new cat recipe, marking their return to feline nutrition after focusing primarily on their dog food innovations.¹

The move might seem small, but it’s creating big problems for the massive pet food conglomerates that have gotten comfortable controlling the market.

Founded in 1996 by two lifelong best friends, Jeff and Howie, Redbarn has grown from a rigged kitchen operation to a 500-employee company with facilities across multiple countries.² But they’ve never lost their family-owned identity.

"We’re thrilled to expand our Air Dried Powerfood line with a premium recipe made just for cats," said Rashell Cooper, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Redbarn.³

The company’s commitment to meeting pets’ unique nutritional needs at every life stage has guided this expansion into the feline market.

The new Air Dried Cat Powerfood contains 91% real chicken and chicken organs, gently air-dried to preserve nutrition while creating a texture cats can’t resist.⁴

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The timing of Redbarn’s expansion couldn’t be better — or worse for their competition.

The global cat food market is exploding, with projections showing it’ll reach $96.77 billion by 2030, growing at a whopping 7.66% annually.⁵ That’s faster growth than most other pet food segments.

In North America alone, cat ownership has jumped from 46.5 million households to 49 million in just the past two years.⁶ These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet — they represent millions of pet parents looking for better options.

But here’s where it gets interesting for a company like Redbarn.

About 40% of pet parents now purchase premium pet food products, and they’re willing to pay significantly more for quality ingredients.⁷ The premium segment is where smaller, family-owned companies like Redbarn can compete head-to-head with the corporate giants.

Redbarn’s Air Dried Cat Powerfood is positioned perfectly for this trend, featuring New Zealand Green Mussel for joint support, salmon oil packed with omega-3s, and L-Carnitine for healthy metabolism.⁸

Awards Season Proves The Point

The industry has taken notice of what Redbarn is doing.

Earlier this year, the company’s Air Dried Powerfood line won the 2025 Pet Insight Vanguard Award, recognizing their leadership and innovation in the premium pet food category.⁹

These aren’t participation trophies — they’re recognition from industry experts who understand what pet parents really want.

The Pet Insight Vanguard Awards specifically recognize companies that demonstrate "leadership, innovation and strong partnerships that drive growth and trust."¹⁰

Davis Johnson, Pet Insight Publisher, explained the philosophy behind recognizing companies like Redbarn: "What we sought to celebrate with the Vanguard Awards was a more timeless mode of leadership."¹¹

The awards specifically honor companies whose success comes from genuine partnerships and collaborative approaches rather than just flashy marketing campaigns.

That’s exactly what Big Pet Food struggles with — genuine partnerships and authentic relationships with customers.

The David vs. Goliath Problem

For decades, massive corporations like Mars (which owns brands like Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin) and Nestlé (owner of Purina) have controlled pet food through sheer market power.

They’ve relied on mass production, aggressive marketing, and retail dominance to maintain their grip on pet parents’ wallets.

But companies like Redbarn are proving there’s a different way.

Instead of competing on price and marketing budgets, they’re winning on quality, innovation, and genuine care for pets’ health.

Redbarn’s air-drying process preserves natural vitamins and minerals that get destroyed by the high-heat cooking methods used by most mass-market competitors.¹² This gives pet parents the nutritional benefits of raw food without the safety risks or storage hassles.

The company has also maintained SQF Food Safety Code certification since 2021 — something that’s not required in the pet industry but shows their long-term commitment to quality.¹³

What This Means For Pet Parents

The expansion of Redbarn’s cat food line represents something bigger than just another product launch.

It’s proof that pet parents have real alternatives to the corporate-controlled brands that have dominated for so long.

When a family-owned company can compete successfully against billion-dollar corporations, it sends a message that quality still matters more than marketing budgets.

The new Air Dried Cat Powerfood is available for $4.49 for a 2.5-ounce trial size and $40.49 for a 2-pound bag.¹⁴ That’s premium pricing, but it’s targeting the growing segment of pet parents who view their cats as family members deserving the best nutrition.

With the cat food market projected to grow by nearly 8% annually through 2030, there’s plenty of room for companies like Redbarn to carve out their slice.⁵

The real question isn’t whether Redbarn will succeed — it’s whether the corporate giants will figure out how to respond before more family-owned companies follow their lead.

For pet parents tired of the same old options from the same old companies, Redbarn’s move into cat food might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.

Endnotes:

1. Redbarn, "Redbarn Expands Air Dried Powerfood Line With Launch of Cat Recipe," PR Newswire, July 7, 2025.

2. Redbarn Pet Products, "About Us," https://www.redbarn.com/pages/about-us (accessed July 7, 2025).

3. Redbarn, "Redbarn Expands Air Dried Powerfood Line With Launch of Cat Recipe," PR Newswire, July 7, 2025.

4. Ibid.

5. Mordor Intelligence, "Cat Food Market Size & Share Analysis – Industry Research Report – Growth Trends," https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-cat-food-market-industry (accessed July 7, 2025).

6. PetfoodIndustry, "Chart: Cats and dogs lead US pet ownership growth 2023-2025," https://www.petfoodindustry.com/pet-ownership-statistics/article/15747936/chart-cats-and-dogs-lead-us-pet-ownership-growth-20232025 (accessed July 7, 2025).

7. Mordor Intelligence, "Pet Food Market Size & Share Analysis – Industry Research Report – Growth Trends," https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-pet-food-market-industry (accessed July 7, 2025).

8. Redbarn, "Redbarn Expands Air Dried Powerfood Line With Launch of Cat Recipe," PR Newswire, July 7, 2025.

9. Redbarn Pet Products, "About Us," https://www.redbarn.com/pages/about-us (accessed July 7, 2025).

10. Redbarn, "Redbarn Wins The Vanguard Award," https://www.redbarn.com/blogs/news/pet-insight-announces-13th-annual-pet-insight-vanguard-awards-recipients (accessed July 7, 2025).

11. Ibid.

12. Redbarn, "Redbarn Expands Air Dried Powerfood Line With Launch of Cat Recipe," PR Newswire, July 7, 2025.

13. Redbarn Pet Products, "About Us," https://www.redbarn.com/pages/about-us (accessed July 7, 2025).

14. Redbarn, "Redbarn Expands Air Dried Powerfood Line With Launch of Cat Recipe," PR Newswire, July 7, 2025.