Feeding pets table food instead of specially formulated pet meals can cause long-term health problems, experts warn.
Many pet owners believe sharing human food shows affection or offers better nutrition, but veterinarians caution that what is healthy for people can be harmful to animals.
Human meals often lack key nutrients such as taurine, which is vital for cats, and calcium, which is essential for dogs. Excess salt, fat, and seasoning can also lead to obesity, digestive issues, or even liver and kidney problems. Ingredients like chocolate, onions, and grapes are toxic to pets and can cause life-threatening illnesses.
Commercial pet food, on the other hand, is formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs. It provides the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to keep pets healthy and active.
Recognizing the need for affordable and balanced pet nutrition, Filipino-owned United Baarde Inc. (UBI) launched Dear Kat, a new dry cat food under its Pure Choice Pet Care line. Established in 2021, UBI aims to “push the human capacity to care for pets,” serving thousands of business-to-business accounts across Luzon, Cebu, Visayas, and Mindanao through agri-vets, poultry supply stores, pet shops, and veterinary clinics.
Dear Kat is formulated with premium protein sources and essential nutrients that support strong bones, shiny coats, lean muscles, and sustained energy. Available in a tuna flavor, it is suitable for cats of all life stages and designed to be easy to digest—even for sensitive cats.
“Our goal was to provide accessible commercial food for pets, and we’ve been able to achieve that by using our experience in sourcing manufacturers and partners who can produce a product packed with all the nutrients pets need without compromising quality,” Douglas G. Baarde Jr., the brand’s president and general manager, told Manila Standard in an interview.
“It has become our advocacy. We understand that our products are priced lower, and we’re willing to sacrifice some profit margin because we believe that when consumers see our products as more affordable, they’ll choose them over the pricier ones in the market,” Baarde added.
The brand joins UBI’s growing portfolio, which includes Aromatic Cat Litter, Pro’s Choice Cat Food, Performance Dog Food, Doug & Co. Dog Food, and ichi & Co. Cat Litter and Cat Food.
UBI said Dear Kat represents its belief that “every bite is a message of care—from us to you, from you to your cat,” offering Filipino pet owners nutritious and affordable choices that strengthen the bond between humans and their pets.
A short video introducing Dear Kat can be viewed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CyAp8EJSs/.
