Coastal Pet Blog* – Coastal Pet introduces PetKORE, a new pet brand offering enrichment and grooming innovations from the founder of KONG.

Coastal Pet Blog – Introducing PetKORE: Enrichment and Grooming Innovations from the Founder of KONG

The pet industry has witnessed remarkable transformations over the past few decades, driven by innovation, consumer demand, and an increasing understanding of the human–animal bond. Among the pioneering names in the industry, KONG stands tall, known globally for its durable enrichment toys that have changed the way pet owners engage with their dogs. Now, the legacy of innovation continues with PetKORE, a new brand introduced by Coastal Pet Products in partnership with the founder of KONG. PetKORE seeks to expand the scope of pet care with fresh approaches to enrichment, grooming, and holistic well-being.

This article explores the origins of PetKORE, its unique product offerings, the philosophy behind the brand, and its potential impact on the future of the pet industry. We’ll also examine how Coastal Pet, a family-owned company known for its high-quality pet products, is leveraging decades of expertise to bring something truly groundbreaking to pet parents worldwide.

The Legacy of Innovation: From KONG to PetKORE

The story of PetKORE begins with the reputation and ingenuity of the KONG toy, developed more than 40 years ago by Joe Markham, the brand’s founder. The KONG became an industry icon because it addressed a fundamental need: providing pets with safe, durable, and mentally stimulating toys that withstand chewing while supporting behavioral health.

Building on this heritage, Markham’s partnership with Coastal Pet now brings forth PetKORE, a brand that aims to expand beyond toys to offer complete pet enrichment and grooming solutions. Just as the KONG revolutionized playtime, PetKORE seeks to revolutionize daily care routines, blending mental stimulation, physical grooming, and overall pet wellness.

Why PetKORE? Understanding the Brand Vision

PetKORE is founded on the belief that enrichment and care are interconnected. Pets thrive not just when they are entertained but when they are groomed, engaged, and supported in every aspect of their well-being.

The philosophy behind PetKORE rests on three pillars:

1. Enrichment with Purpose – Toys and tools that challenge pets mentally, promote natural instincts like chewing and foraging, and prevent destructive behaviors.
2. Innovative Grooming – Products designed to make grooming easier, more effective, and less stressful for both pets and owners.
3. Holistic Well-being – A commitment to creating solutions that enrich the pet’s lifestyle, reduce anxiety, and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.

This philosophy sets PetKORE apart from conventional pet product brands that often treat enrichment and grooming as separate categories. Instead, PetKORE integrates them into a comprehensive care ecosystem.

PetKORE Product Line: A Glimpse into Innovation

While the brand is still in its early launch stages, Coastal Pet has already hinted at a lineup of products that combine practicality, innovation, and durability.

1. Enrichment Toys Beyond the Ordinary

PetKORE introduces toys that go beyond simple chewing devices. For example:

• Interactive Chew Puzzles: Toys designed to stimulate problem-solving and keep pets engaged for extended periods.
• Durability Meets Safety: Materials chosen to withstand heavy chewing while remaining non-toxic and pet-safe.
• Adaptive Play Designs: Products suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds, from teething puppies to senior pets needing softer textures.

2. Smart Grooming Tools

Grooming can often be stressful for both pets and their owners. PetKORE aims to simplify this with:

• Ergonomic Brushes and Combs: Designed with comfort in mind, reducing strain on pet parents’ hands while ensuring pets remain at ease.
• Self-Cleaning Grooming Tools: Brushes that easily release collected hair, cutting grooming time in half.
• Stress-Free Clippers: Noise-reduced and designed with safety guards to make trimming less intimidating.

3. Holistic Wellness Accessories

PetKORE also focuses on products that indirectly enrich pet lifestyles:

• Anti-Anxiety Accessories: Chewable or lick-based tools that calm nervous pets.
• Hydration and Feeding Enhancements: Slow feeders and hydration-focused bowls that encourage healthier eating habits.
• Bonding-Oriented Products: Toys and tools meant to strengthen play and interaction between owners and pets.

The Coastal Pet Advantage

Founded in 1968, Coastal Pet has long been recognized for producing durable collars, leashes, and harnesses. Their reputation for quality manufacturing, thoughtful design, and long-lasting products makes them an ideal partner for launching PetKORE.

With decades of expertise in pet accessories, Coastal Pet brings the infrastructure, credibility, and consumer trust necessary to introduce a brand as ambitious as PetKORE. This collaboration ensures that PetKORE products won’t just be innovative but also reliable, tested, and designed to meet the needs of modern pet owners.

Why PetKORE Matters in 2025 and Beyond

The global pet care industry is booming, projected to surpass $350 billion by 2030. Modern pet parents are increasingly treating their animals as family members, demanding higher-quality products, eco-friendly solutions, and innovations that improve both physical and emotional well-being.

PetKORE is well-positioned to meet these demands by offering:

• Holistic Solutions: Addressing not just play but grooming and wellness.
• Sustainability Focus: Coastal Pet has hinted at using eco-friendly materials and sustainable sourcing.
• Accessibility: Products designed for both experienced pet parents and first-time owners.
• Behavioral Benefits: Enrichment toys that reduce boredom and anxiety, leading to healthier and happier pets.

Looking Ahead: The Future of PetKORE

As the brand develops, industry insiders expect PetKORE to expand into categories such as:

• Smart Pet Tech: Incorporating sensors or digital connectivity to monitor pet activity during play.
• Breed-Specific Solutions: Tailoring grooming tools and enrichment products to suit different breeds’ needs.
• Veterinary Partnerships: Collaborating with vets to ensure products support health and wellness goals.

If KONG redefined pet toys, PetKORE has the potential to reshape the very concept of daily pet care—turning routine grooming into enrichment opportunities and enrichment into pathways for improved health.

The pet care industry has always thrived on innovation, and in 2025, Coastal Pet has introduced one of the most exciting new ventures in recent memory: PetKORE, a brand developed in partnership with Joe Markham, the visionary founder of KONG, whose iconic enrichment toy transformed how millions of pets around the world experience playtime. With PetKORE, the mission goes far beyond toys, venturing into a broader ecosystem of enrichment, grooming, and wellness products designed to improve the everyday lives of pets and strengthen the bond they share with their owners. To understand PetKORE’s significance, it helps to look at the legacy of KONG, which more than four decades ago set a new standard for durable, safe, and engaging toys that could withstand even the most determined chewers while also addressing behavioral and mental health needs. That spirit of purposeful innovation is now being expanded under PetKORE, but instead of focusing solely on play, the brand introduces a philosophy that views enrichment and grooming as interconnected pillars of a pet’s holistic well-being. The foundation of PetKORE rests on three guiding principles: creating enrichment tools that stimulate natural instincts like chewing, problem-solving, and foraging while reducing boredom and anxiety; designing grooming solutions that are easier, safer, and less stressful for both pets and their parents; and emphasizing overall wellness, so that everyday routines like brushing, feeding, or nail trimming also become opportunities for bonding and enrichment. The brand’s product lineup reflects this vision, featuring enrichment toys that double as puzzles to engage pets mentally, chew products built from non-toxic, ultra-durable materials, and adaptive designs suited for different life stages, from teething puppies to aging seniors needing gentler textures. On the grooming side, PetKORE addresses a long-standing pain point in pet care—stressful grooming sessions—with ergonomic brushes and combs designed for comfort, self-cleaning features that cut time and effort, and noise-reduced clippers that remove the fear factor from nail trimming and coat maintenance. Beyond play and grooming, PetKORE also introduces accessories with indirect wellness benefits, such as anti-anxiety chewables and lick-based products that help calm nervous pets, hydration-enhancing bowls, slow feeders to promote healthier eating, and bonding-oriented play tools that encourage more owner–pet interaction. What makes this launch particularly credible is Coastal Pet’s involvement; the family-owned company, founded in 1968, already enjoys a trusted reputation for producing high-quality leashes, collars, and harnesses, and their decades of expertise in design and manufacturing ensure that PetKORE products will be reliable, safe, and durable. Together, Joe Markham’s innovative spirit and Coastal Pet’s infrastructure create a powerful alliance positioned to set new benchmarks in the pet care market. The timing is equally important: with the global pet care industry expected to surpass $350 billion by 2030, consumer expectations are shifting toward holistic solutions, eco-friendly designs, and premium products that address not only entertainment but also health, stress reduction, and long-term wellness. PetKORE fits this demand by offering multipurpose, sustainability-focused, and accessible products for both new and experienced pet owners. Looking ahead, the brand is expected to expand even further, potentially incorporating smart pet tech with sensors to monitor activity, breed-specific grooming tools tailored to unique needs, and collaborations with veterinarians to ensure products support not just behavioral health but also physical care. In this sense, PetKORE is more than a product line—it represents a reimagining of daily pet care, where enrichment is not just about toys and grooming is not just about appearance, but both become integrated into an experience that enriches pets physically, mentally, and emotionally. Just as KONG became a household name synonymous with safe and durable enrichment, PetKORE is poised to become a go-to name for comprehensive pet care innovation. Coastal Pet’s introduction of PetKORE demonstrates how the industry is evolving to meet the heightened expectations of modern pet parents who increasingly see their animals as family members deserving of the same thoughtfulness, comfort, and quality as human family care. Ultimately, PetKORE is not only about solving problems like destructive chewing or grooming stress but about reshaping how owners engage with their pets on a daily basis, making every interaction an opportunity for wellness, joy, and bonding.

The pet care industry in 2025 continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, and one of the most exciting developments comes with the launch of PetKORE, a brand introduced by Coastal Pet in collaboration with Joe Markham, the visionary founder of KONG, whose original enrichment toy redefined playtime for millions of pets across the globe by combining durability, mental stimulation, and behavioral benefits into a single design that pet owners trusted for decades, and now, with PetKORE, that same spirit of purposeful innovation expands beyond toys into a comprehensive ecosystem of enrichment, grooming, and wellness products that aim to improve the lives of pets and their families in ways that feel both fresh and essential. To appreciate the significance of this launch, one must look back at the impact of the KONG brand, which solved the problem of destructive chewing and pet boredom with a simple yet revolutionary design, setting a gold standard for pet enrichment, and now that legacy is carried forward under PetKORE, but with a far more ambitious vision that treats grooming, play, and overall care as interconnected elements of holistic well-being rather than isolated activities, recognizing that a pet’s happiness depends not only on play but also on grooming routines, stress management, and opportunities for bonding. At the heart of PetKORE’s philosophy are three guiding principles: enrichment with purpose, innovative grooming, and holistic wellness, each of which translates into practical solutions for modern pet owners; enrichment products are designed not only to entertain but to stimulate natural instincts like chewing, problem-solving, and foraging while also preventing anxiety-driven behaviors, grooming tools are crafted with ergonomic designs, self-cleaning functions, and quiet technology to reduce stress for both pets and their parents, and wellness accessories extend beyond play and grooming into areas such as feeding, hydration, and relaxation, all built with the understanding that every interaction can contribute to a healthier and happier pet. The first wave of PetKORE products exemplifies this approach by introducing interactive chew puzzles that challenge pets mentally, durable chew toys that use safe, non-toxic materials, and adaptive textures that accommodate everything from teething puppies to seniors with sensitive teeth, while grooming innovations include brushes and combs designed to minimize strain on human hands and maximize comfort for pets, self-cleaning mechanisms that save time, and low-noise clippers with safety guards to make nail trimming less intimidating, all of which reflect the brand’s goal of turning traditionally stressful activities into positive shared experiences. Beyond enrichment and grooming, PetKORE also emphasizes lifestyle-oriented wellness products like lick-based calming tools that ease anxiety, hydration-focused bowls and slow feeders that encourage healthier eating habits, and bonding toys that foster deeper connections between pets and their families, showing that the brand is not just about addressing single needs but about creating a full-circle care system. Coastal Pet’s role in this project cannot be understated, as the family-owned company has been a trusted name in collars, leashes, and harnesses since 1968, building a reputation for quality craftsmanship and reliability, and their manufacturing expertise ensures that PetKORE products will not only innovate but also endure, giving pet parents confidence that these solutions are built to last. The timing of PetKORE’s launch is also critical, as the global pet care market is projected to surpass $350 billion by 2030, driven by consumers who increasingly view their pets as family members and demand products that address physical health, emotional well-being, and sustainability; in this environment, PetKORE is well-positioned to meet expectations with eco-friendly materials, accessible designs for all types of pet owners, and multipurpose products that save time while enhancing pet lifestyles. Looking forward, industry insiders anticipate that PetKORE will expand into even more innovative areas, potentially incorporating smart technology to monitor pet activity during play or grooming, developing breed-specific grooming tools for tailored care, and collaborating with veterinarians to align product design with professional health and wellness standards, a move that would strengthen the brand’s authority and trust in the market. What makes PetKORE so compelling is not just its product lineup but its vision of turning every daily interaction into enrichment, where grooming is not merely about appearance but about comfort and bonding, and where enrichment toys are not only for play but also for managing stress, improving behavior, and supporting overall health, creating a cycle of care that redefines how modern pet parents engage with their companions. Just as KONG became synonymous with durable enrichment, PetKORE has the potential to become a household name for comprehensive pet care innovation, an identity that resonates strongly in a time when pet owners are seeking solutions that are as thoughtful and high-quality as those they might choose for their own well-being. By combining Joe Markham’s pioneering spirit with Coastal Pet’s decades of expertise, PetKORE demonstrates that innovation in the pet industry is not slowing down but instead moving toward deeper, more holistic approaches that elevate both pets’ quality of life and owners’ confidence in caring for them. Ultimately, PetKORE is not just about solving practical problems like destructive chewing or grooming challenges but about reshaping the pet care experience itself, making every toy, brush, and accessory part of a larger mission to nurture, engage, and connect, ensuring that pets are not only cared for but truly enriched in every aspect of their daily lives.

Conclusion

PetKORE, the latest venture from Coastal Pet in partnership with the founder of KONG, represents a bold new chapter in pet care. It combines the trusted durability and innovation of KONG’s legacy with Coastal Pet’s expertise in quality manufacturing. By focusing on enrichment, grooming, and holistic wellness, PetKORE promises to meet the evolving needs of today’s pet parents.

In 2025 and beyond, as pets continue to occupy central roles in households, PetKORE stands out as a brand that doesn’t just create products—it creates experiences that enhance the human–animal bond. Just as KONG became a household name for enrichment, PetKORE is poised to become synonymous with comprehensive pet care innovation.

Q&A Section

Q1 :- What makes PetKORE different from other pet product brands?

Ans:- PetKORE stands out because it integrates enrichment, grooming, and wellness into a single brand philosophy, offering products that go beyond entertainment to support overall pet health.

Q2 :- Who is behind the creation of PetKORE?

Ans:- PetKORE is introduced by Coastal Pet in partnership with Joe Markham, the founder of KONG, combining decades of experience in pet product innovation and quality manufacturing.

Q3 :- What types of products will PetKORE offer?

Ans:- PetKORE plans to offer interactive enrichment toys, innovative grooming tools, and wellness-focused accessories that make pet care easier and more enjoyable.

Q4 :- How does PetKORE improve the grooming experience?

Ans:- With ergonomic, self-cleaning, and noise-reduced grooming tools, PetKORE reduces stress for pets while making grooming more efficient and comfortable for owners.

Q5 :- Why is PetKORE important for modern pet parents?

Ans:- Modern pet parents demand high-quality, sustainable, and effective products. PetKORE meets these expectations by addressing not just play but also mental health, grooming comfort, and holistic care.