About Petmate
Petmate is an American pet products manufacturer and brand headquartered in Arlington, Texas, USA. Founded in 1959 (originally as Doskocil Manufacturing, Inc.), the company is one of the world’s largest producers of pet care products, offering a broad portfolio of products for dogs, cats, birds, and small animals. Petmate is best known for pioneering the first commercially successful dog travel kennel and has since expanded into pet toys, bedding, feeding accessories, carriers, food storage, grooming products, treats, and outdoor shelters.
For more than six decades, Petmate has focused on designing products that improve the safety, comfort, and well-being of pets while strengthening the bond between pets and their owners. Today, its products are sold through major retailers, pet specialty stores, and e-commerce platforms worldwide.
History
Petmate traces its roots back to 1959, when entrepreneur Ben Doskocil founded Doskocil Manufacturing in Texas. The company originally specialized in plastic molding and became widely recognized after developing one of the industry’s first plastic dog kennels designed for safe pet transportation.
This innovation eventually evolved into the famous Sky Kennel, which helped establish standards for airline-approved pet travel. Over the years, the company expanded beyond travel products into nearly every major pet care category.
As the business grew, Doskocil Manufacturing adopted the Petmate name, reflecting its broader focus on pet products rather than solely transportation equipment.
Ownership
Petmate has changed ownership several times throughout its history:
- 1959 – Founded as Doskocil Manufacturing.
- 2021 – Acquired by private equity firm Platinum Equity.
- 2024 – Following a financial restructuring, ownership transferred to a lender group, significantly reducing the company’s debt while allowing operations to continue.
Headquarters
- Headquarters: Arlington, Texas, United States
- Primary Manufacturing: Arlington, Texas
- Market: Global
Petmate maintains one of the largest pet product manufacturing and warehousing facilities in the United States, producing many of its plastic products domestically.
Product Categories
Petmate manufactures products across nearly every major pet care segment, including:
Dog Products
- Kennels
- Crates
- Travel carriers
- Dog houses
- Beds
- Toys
- Chews
- Collars
- Leashes
- Feeding bowls
- Water dispensers
- Food storage containers
Cat Products
- Litter boxes
- Litter scoops
- Cat toys
- Catnip toys
- Scratchers
- Feeding systems
- Beds
- Carriers
Small Animal & Bird Products
- Feeding accessories
- Cages
- Habitat accessories
Outdoor Products
- Pet shelters
- Kennels
- Portable travel systems
Storage Solutions
- Airtight food containers
- Feed bins
- Treat containers
Major Brands
Petmate owns or manages a large family of pet brands, including:
- Petmate
- Chuckit!
- Arm & Hammer Pet
- Aspen Pet
- BarkBone
- Booda
- Dogzilla
- Fat Cat
- Gamma2
- Gen7Pets
- Hyper Pet
- JW
- Mad Cat
- OurPets
- Pet Qwerks
- PetFusion
- Precision Pet Products
- Quirky Kitty
- Ruffmaxx
- SnooZZy
- Vittles Vault
- Wild Eats
- Zoobilee
These brands collectively cover toys, pet travel, bedding, feeding, food storage, training, and interactive products.
Signature Innovations
Petmate has introduced several influential products and technologies, including:
- The original Sky Kennel for airline pet transportation.
- Heavy-duty plastic pet carriers.
- Gravity feeders and waterers.
- Airtight Vittles Vault food storage systems.
- Interactive fetch toys under the Chuckit! brand.
- Eco-conscious plastic manufacturing initiatives.
- Safety-focused pet travel equipment.
Many airline pet transportation standards have been influenced by kennel designs pioneered by Petmate.
Mission
Petmate’s mission is to enrich the lives of pets and their families by creating trusted, innovative, and high-quality products that strengthen the relationship between people and their pets.
Its stated purpose is:
“To enrich the lives of families by cultivating the bond between people & their pets.”
The company emphasizes four core values:
- Ownership
- Determination
- Integrity
- Safety without compromise
Sustainability
Petmate incorporates environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, including:
- Recycling plastic materials
- Reducing manufacturing waste
- Energy-efficient production
- Sustainable product development
- Domestic manufacturing initiatives
The company states that environmental stewardship is a core component of its manufacturing philosophy.
Distribution
Petmate products are distributed through:
- Pet specialty retailers
- National retail chains
- Farm and ranch stores
- Veterinary clinics
- Independent pet stores
- Online marketplaces
- International distributors
Its products are available in numerous countries across North America and other global markets.
Recognition
Over its 65+ year history, Petmate has become one of the most recognized names in the pet industry. The company is particularly known for:
- Airline-approved pet travel carriers
- Durable plastic kennels
- Fetch toys under the Chuckit! brand
- Airtight pet food storage
- Long-standing innovation in pet transportation
In 2025, Petmate celebrated its 65th anniversary, highlighting decades of product innovation and leadership in the pet care industry.
Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Petmate |
| Founded | 1959 (as Doskocil Manufacturing, Inc.) |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Texas, USA |
| Founder | Ben Doskocil |
| Industry | Pet Products |
| Products | Kennels, carriers, toys, beds, feeders, storage, treats, grooming, accessories |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Parent Ownership | Lender group (following 2024 restructuring) |
| Notable Brands | Chuckit!, Vittles Vault, Arm & Hammer Pet, JW, Hyper Pet, Aspen Pet, Gen7Pets, Pet Qwerks, Wild Eats |
Petmate remains one of the largest and most established pet product companies in North America, with a diverse portfolio spanning travel, feeding, play, storage, bedding, and everyday pet care products.
