Walmart’s continued push into healthcare—and being a source for everything from routine vaccinations to checkups—extends into care for four-legged members of customers’ households, too. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer launched Walmart PetRx, offering in-store and online pharmacy services, in 2019; in 2020, the company added Walmart Pet Care, which encompasses discounted pet insurance plans, pet-sitting and dog-walking services.
Walmart Pet Care represents “a full-service, omnichannel pet care offering that makes holistic care easy, simple and affordable,” the company said in November 2020. Walmart has stated its desire to earn “primary destination status” with customers as a trusted, reliable, convenient and affordable source of all needed essentials for any member of the household. The expanded pet care offerings came amid a surge of pet adoptions during the first year of the pandemic—and as some consumers began going back to the office, and thus seeking daycare and dog-walking options for their new animals, in late 2020.
In 2021, Walmart took on the premium pet-food business, launching the Pro+ line of tailored-nutrition pet foods under the company’s nine-year-old Pure Balance private label. Pro+ products are veterinarian-formulated to address specific nutrition concerns, such as weight management or older-pet wellness.
“We're constantly evolving to meet customer needs and support new trends, and one that continues to grow is the humanization of pets," Walmart U.S. VP of Pets Melody Richard said when Pro+ launched in May. "We’re treating our pets like we would any other member of our family, and that means giving them high-quality, premium products that help promote health and wellness.” The American Pet Products Association last year noted that 43% of U.S. dog owners and 41% of cat owners in 2020 said they purchased premium pet food.
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