Petway Petcare celebrates 38 years of doing business

“We are proudly Australian owned, with our Petway Petcare products manufactured here in Australia,” Taylor said. “What began as a range primarily servicing professional groomers has grown considerably over the years to include pet and produce stores, vets, pet kennels and resorts, equine industry, pharmacies and discerning pet owners, but professional-quality products and Australian manufacturing remain at the heart of what we do.

“And after almost four decades, we’re still developing, improving and learning. That’s probably the most exciting part – we’re very proud of Petway’s history, but we’re even more excited about the future of our business and the Industry.”

From salon shelves to shop fronts

What started as a small family operation has grown into a multi-brand business with distribution stretching well beyond Australia’s borders. The customer base now takes in grooming salons, mobile groomers, pet stores, veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, breeders, produce stores, pharmacies and equine retailers, alongside everyday consumers.

“We have never wanted growth to come at the expense of quality,” explains Taylor. “We continue to review and improve our formulations as ingredient technology advances and work with highly experienced professional cosmetic chemists during product development.”

The product range has expanded in step, now spanning shampoos, conditioners, cologne coat glosses, detanglers, topical flea and tick treatments, grooming accessories and Australian-made treats.

Industry recognition

Among the milestones Taylor points to are Petway products being used at some of the world’s most respected grooming competitions and dog shows, with groomers using the brand achieving results at events both in Australia and internationally.

The company was also named Just For Pets Supplier of the Year – Small Business for both 2025 and 2026, an honour Taylor said reflects more than product quality alone.

“Recognition like this means a lot because it reflects not only the quality of our products but also the service and relationships we have built with our customers,” she said.

The formula for longevity

Asked what has kept Petway going for nearly four decades, Taylor pointed to a straightforward answer.

“Quite simply, we have never compromised on quality or service. There are always cheaper ways to manufacture a product, but our philosophy has remained centred around using premium cosmetic-grade ingredients, experienced chemists, carefully developed formulations and stringent quality control.”

Customer feedback plays a direct role in product development, with experienced groomers involved in Petway’s research and development process.

“Ultimately, I think longevity comes down to trust. If a groomer or pet owner finds a product that consistently performs, is economical to use and delivers the result they expect, they come back to it.  We also have a ‘never out of stock’ policy, we have someone to answer the phone and talk to our customers and we try to get all orders out the same day they are received,” says Taylor.

Responding to a changing industry

Taylor said the relationship between people and their pets has shifted markedly in recent years, with pets increasingly regarded as family members and owners becoming more selective about the products they use on them.

“We’re seeing greater interest in ingredient quality, naturally based formulations, sensitive-skin products, sustainability and products designed for specific coat and skin requirements. Australian made is still very popular amongst our customer base.

“The growth in breeds such as Oodles has also changed grooming considerably and created demand for more specialised coat-care solutions for these breeds.

Looking ahead, Taylor expects consumers to keep asking harder questions about what’s in a product, where it’s made and whether it lives up to its claims.

“For Petway, that is a positive direction because those principles align very closely with how we have approached product development for many years. Petway’s shampoos are highly concentrated, pH-balanced and soap-free, with our range using plant-derived ingredients and pure essential oils, while the company also focuses on being environmentally responsible.”

What’s next

Innovation remains a focus for 2026/27, with the company’s new Small Animal Shampoo – developed specifically for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, mice and rats – among its recent additions. Rather than adapting an existing dog shampoo, Petway built the product from the ground up as a gentle, hypoallergenic option suited to smaller companion animals.

Growing Petway’s presence in retail is another priority, with Taylor keen to give everyday pet owners access to the same standard of product long trusted by professional groomers.

“Probably the thing we’re most proud of is that after 38 years, Petway Petcare remains an Australian family-owned company producing Australian-made products,” Taylor said.

With the company’s 40th anniversary on the horizon, Taylor said something special is will be planned to mark the occasion.