Paco & Pepper Update | Shark Tank Season 17
After losing her childhood cat (Sonia) to asthma triggered by dusty cat litter, Kristina feared history might be repeating itself years later, when Paco (her current cat) began sneezing and showing the same allergy symptoms. Determined to find a safer alternative, she created Paco & Pepper, a cat litter made from olive pits designed to eliminate dust and improve air quality for both cats and their owners. Will she secure a deal with any of the sharks? Find out in our Paco & Pepper update and pitch recap below.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Paco & Pepper after
Kristina entered
In terms of a Paco & Pepper update, the company is launching a new supplement for cats in April 2026.
| Shark | Result |
| Kevin O’Leary | $300,000 for 20% equity with a $1.50 royalty per bag |
| Fawn Weaver | No offer |
| Lori Greiner | No offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | No offer |
Shark Tank Paco & Pepper Pitch
- Entrepreneur: Kristina Drobach
- Business: Cat litter
- Ask: $300,000 for 5% equity
- Result: No deal
- Shark: None
Kristina moved to the U.S. from Russia at age 17. At the time, she did not speak English and had no money. Still, she had always been a pet lover and grew up around many animals.
When she was eight, she lost her first cat, Sonia, to asthma caused by dusty litter. Years later in the U.S., her new cat, Paco, began showing similar allergy symptoms.
She tried several litter brands without success, so she began researching alternatives. That search led her to olive-pit litter used in Turkey, which inspired her to develop her own improved version.
Paco & Pepper is a cat litter made from recycled olive pits. The litter uses the natural porous structure of crushed olive pits to absorb moisture and control odors.
It is fragrance-free and safe for cats and the environment. It also forms strong clumps quickly, which makes it easier for owners to scoop and clean the litter box.
Other cat litter products are made from clay or silica, both of which can create dust, but Paco & Pepper does not use those materials.
Lori Greiner then pointed out the sustainability angle, noting that olive pits are normally discarded during olive oil production. Kristina agreed and said her product turns that waste into something useful.
Kristina uses the DTC model for sales. Each bag retails for $20.99, with a $2.99 flat shipping fee, bringing the total price to about $24 per bag. The landed cost is $6.87 per bag.
However, Robert pointed out that similar-sized traditional litter bags sell for about $8.99, making her product more expensive. Kristina explained that one 11.5-pound bag lasts about one month, which helps justify the higher price.
The conversation then turned to sales. In 2024, the company generated $1.1 million in revenue. Year to date, sales have already reached $1.8 million, with projections of $4 million to $4.5 million by the end of the year.
Kritina’s valuation just doesn’t make sense to Robert, so because of that, he decided to step out.
Daniel Lubetzky does not like cats; he’s out as well. Guest shark Fawn Weaver also stepped out, explaining she lacked experience in the cat product space.
Next, Lori Greiner praised the packaging and the product, but said she did not want to invest in the cat litter category.
Mr. Wonderful was the shark to give Kristina an offer. He offered her $300,000 for 49% equity to help the company expand into large retailers like Walmart.
Kristina countered with a royalty structure, but Kevin declined. Kevin later lowered his proposal to 20% equity with a $1.50 royalty per bag.
After several rounds of negotiation, both the shark and the entrepreneur could not find a balance to sit.
Kristina had to leave the show without a deal eventually.
Let’s quickly get a Paco & Pepper update after Kristina’s appearance on
Shark Tank Paco & Pepper Update
In terms of a Paco & Pepper update, the company appears to be thriving despite not getting a deal from
Shortly after its episode aired, Paco and Pepper saw a surge in visitors to its website.
The company has also announced a new supplement for cats scheduled to launch in April 2026. You can visit the company’s official website to learn more about its products.
As the dust settles, we will return for another Paco & Pepper update in the coming months.
For more updates from
Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 17 products.
Marvin Uzor
Marvin Uzor is a content contributor for Shark Tank Recap. He specializes in crafting engaging, well-researched content that delve into the latest Shark Tank stories, keeping readers hooked. He has a soft spot for his favorite Shark Tank companies, Bombas and Doorbot, known for their innovation and impact.