Against the Grain and Evanger’s sign western US distribution deal with VSI

What happened

Against the Grain Pet Food and Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Company have signed a distribution deal with Veterinary Service, Inc., known as VSI. The deal was announced on October 14, 2026, and reported by the trade magazine Pet Age. VSI is a distributor that supplies independent pet retailers in the western United States.

Pet Age reports that VSI's network serves more than 2,500 retail stores west of the Rockies. Through VSI, those stores can order both brands' wet and dry foods, treats and toppers for dogs and cats.

Holly Sher, owner of Evanger's, said in the announcement: "Rather than merely finding a distributor to shift product between warehouses, our goal was securing a true partner committed to driving brand expansion alongside us at retail."

What is new, and what is not

This is a supply chain story, not a recipe story. The announcement does not mention any change to ingredients, formulas, life stages or packaging. It also does not say whether any product will be dropped or added because of the deal.

Some of it may not be entirely new. VSI's own brands page already lists Evanger's, so VSI may have carried that brand before. From what we have read, it is unclear whether this is a first deal for Against the Grain with VSI or a bigger version of an earlier arrangement. It is also unclear when stores will start getting stock through the new deal.

The announcement names a few recent products the brands want stores to carry: Evanger's EVx Jerky Treats, EVx Functional Dog Food Recipes, Against the Grain Happy Cakes for Dogs and Cats, and Slow Cooked Meaty Shreds Kibble Toppers. We do not currently review any of these.

What it means if you feed Against the Grain

If you live in the western US and buy from a small independent pet store, the deal could make the brand easier to find on local shelves, or make it easier for your store to order it on request. If you already buy it online or from a store that stocks it, nothing in the announcement suggests your routine will change.

We review five Against the Grain foods. Our reviews of those recipes are based on their labels, and this news does not change any of them.

What to check on the label

If you see an Against the Grain product you have not bought before, read the nutrition statement first. Some of the newer items are treats or toppers, not complete meals. The Happy Cake for dogs, for example, carries the instruction that "Treats should not exceed 10% of a dog's total daily caloric requirement," according to a retailer listing we read.

Do not go by the brand name alone, either. The ingredient list for the Happy Cake on that listing includes rice flour, so that treat is not grain free. As with any food, check the ingredient list, the life stage statement and the calories on the bag or can before you switch.