Omni Pet raises US$14.5 million to fuel US expansion and launch canine weight management supplement

London-based Omni Pet recently raised £11 million (US$14.5 million) in a Series A funding round that will support its expansion into the US market, increase its presence in major UK supermarkets, and fund the commercial launch of a new plant-based weight management supplement for dogs designed to mimic the natural satiety mechanisms targeted by GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

• Omni Pet has secured £11 million (US$14.5 million) in Series A funding led by IW Capital and Redrice Ventures.
• The investment will support US expansion, UK retail growth and the launch of LeanPaws, a plant-based canine weight management supplement.
• The company says sales have grown 200% since its Dragons' Den appearance, with annualized revenue approaching £13 million (US$17.1 million).

Founded by practicing veterinarian Dr Guy Sandelowsky and former investment banker Shiv Sivakumar, Omni Pet said the funding round was led by IW Capital and Redrice Ventures, with participation from RootBridge Capital, Digitalis Ventures and Lever VC. Entrepreneur Deborah Meaden (pictured center above), who invested in the business following its appearance on Dragons' Den in 2025, also increased her investment.

The company said the capital will accelerate its international expansion while supporting the launch of LeanPaws, a non-prescription, animal-free supplement formulated to help overweight dogs lose weight naturally.

According to Omni Pet, the product uses plant-derived dietary fibers, resistant starches and prebiotics to stimulate natural satiety pathways that mirror the effects of GLP-1, the hormone targeted by widely used human weight-loss medications. Unlike pharmaceutical treatments, the supplement is intended to provide a nutrition-based approach without synthetic drugs or animal-derived ingredients.

The launch comes as obesity continues to rise among companion animals. UK Pet Food has described canine obesity as reaching "crisis" levels, with more than half of UK dogs now considered overweight. Excess weight is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions including arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

Omni Pet said a placebo-controlled trial of its formulation found that 77% of overweight dogs using the supplement lost weight, while 42% showed fewer begging behaviors, which the company attributes to increased natural satiety.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Guy Sandelowsky said changing consumer attitudes are reshaping the pet nutrition market.

"The structure of the pet product market is changing, as owners increasingly treat pets as family members, driving an unprecedented rise in demand for health-focused nutrition and personalised care," he said.

"With chronic conditions in pets growing at double-digit rates, consumers are actively moving away from allergy-triggering and calorie-heavy brands."

Alongside weight management, Omni Pet said it aims to address the growing prevalence of food allergies in dogs. Traditional animal proteins such as beef, chicken and dairy are among the most common dietary allergens and can contribute to digestive and skin conditions.

The company's recipes replace conventional animal proteins with ingredients derived from yeast, algae and pulses. According to Omni Pet, these formulations generate 73% fewer carbon emissions than conventional meat-based pet food while providing an alternative for dogs with food sensitivities.

Investors said the combination of veterinary expertise, clinical data and a direct-to-consumer subscription model made the business an attractive opportunity.

"We're backing Omni Pet because we believe the combination of veterinary expertise with strong data and its scalable subscription model represents one of the most compelling offerings in the sector," said Alex Petri, Investment Director at IW Capital.

"As consumers demand transparency and real health outcomes through clinically credible products, Omni Pet is positioned to lead the next wave of pet-wellness disruption."

The company said it has experienced rapid commercial growth following its television appearance, reporting a 200% increase in sales, more than 100,000 new customers and annualized revenue approaching £13 million (US$17.1 million).