The Bear & The Rat Shark Tank Update

The Bear & The Rat Shark Tank Pitch

Matt Meyer and Meg Meyer are dog lovers, who hated leaving their dogs out when they ate ice cream. Their dogs "The Bear" and "The Rat" inspired the name of their ice cream for dogs company, The Bear and The Rat cool treats for dogs.

Kevin O'Leary inquires about what happens to their marketing when 14-year-old, The Bear dies. It might be the rat they should've worried about because Robert fumbles The Rat from about belly high, but with no apparent harm.

The Bear and The Rat has done $30k in sales in its first year. Matt and Meg would like to get into Petco stores but find the freezer goods to be a competitive place to get shelf space.

Matt and Meg clarify that they created their valuation out of hopes of the Shark's goodwill. They add that the packaging puts a smile on people's faces. All the sharks go out.

The Bear & The Rat After Shark Tank

Matt Meyer and Meg Meyer went on a podcast

Meg was working long hours for her job and told Matt she wanted to start their own business where her efforts would feel justified. Matt went to the ice cream shop with his family growing up and their dog always got sick, and he always had the idea of pet-friendly ice cream.

The Bear and The Rat was fortunate to find a local pet-friendly ice cream manufacturer and they began selling in Boulder farmers' markets. The branding was created on a budget by a friend that Meg met at the Ad agency job she left.

Meg and Matt raised $25k from friends and family, sold one of their cars, and grew their credit card debt. Meg had a child two months after their episode aired, making things more hectic.

In 2015 they got rid of the pint-sized ice cream and began selling single-serve multipacks. They also added freeze-dried yogurt for dogs, but they weren't selling enough volume to lower their costs, so they discontinued it.

By 2016 they were out of money, so Meg got a full-time job with a Boulder-based cookie company. Matt miraculously kept the company going and got their dog-friendly ice cream into Publix.

In 2022 The Bear & The Rat is in Whole Foods and many retailers and pet stores. You can also buy ice cream and cupcake mixes for dogs on their website, cooltreatsfordogs.com

The cupcake mix for dogs is exactly what is sold by a previous Shark Tank entrepreneur Kelly Chaney, with her company Puppy Cake from Season 3, episode 4 here