About CIAO
CIAO is a premium pet food brand owned by INABA Foods, a Japanese company with over two centuries of experience in seafood processing and food production. Best known for its cat treats, wet cat food, and the globally popular CIAO Churu creamy treats, the brand has established itself as one of Japan’s leading premium cat food manufacturers and is widely distributed across Asia, Europe, North America, and other international markets.1
In Singapore, CIAO products are commonly available through pet specialty stores, veterinary clinics, major supermarkets, and e-commerce platforms.
History
The origins of CIAO are rooted in the long history of INABA Foods:
- 1805 – Yoshizo Inaba established a seafood trading business in Japan specialising in tuna.
- 1948 – INABA Foods was formally incorporated as a food manufacturer.
- 1958 – The company entered the pet food industry, becoming one of Japan’s early manufacturers of premium pet food.
- 1989 – The CIAO brand was officially launched to offer premium cat food made with high-quality seafood and human-grade ingredients.
- 2012 – CIAO introduced CIAO Churu, the world’s first stick-type creamy cat treat, which later became one of the brand’s signature products worldwide.2
Today, INABA continues to manufacture CIAO products using Japanese quality standards while operating production facilities in Japan and Thailand for global distribution.
Brand Philosophy
CIAO emphasises several core principles in its product development:
- Premium seafood ingredients
- Human-grade ingredient standards for many products
- High palatability designed to encourage cats to eat
- Minimal unnecessary additives
- Japanese manufacturing and quality control practices
The company’s long-standing motto is:
“Never Imitating – Never Imitated.”
Product Categories
CIAO primarily develops products for cats, although INABA also manufactures dog food under other product lines. Major CIAO categories include:
Creamy Treats
These puree-style treats are the brand’s flagship products. Examples include:
- CIAO Churu Tuna
- CIAO Churu Chicken
- CIAO Churu Tuna with Scallop
- CIAO Churu Tuna with Collagen
- CIAO Churu Variety Packs
They are commonly used as rewards, appetite stimulants, hydration support, medication delivery aids, and bonding treats between owners and cats.
Wet Food
CIAO offers several wet food formats, including canned meals, pouches, cups, soups, jelly recipes, gravy recipes, shredded tuna meals, and chicken-based recipes. Many recipes feature seafood ingredients such as tuna, bonito, scallop, crab, and shrimp, often combined with chicken or other proteins.
Dry Food
CIAO also produces dry cat food formulated for different life stages and nutritional needs, although these products are less widely distributed internationally than its wet food range.
Functional Products
Some recipes include ingredients intended to support specific health needs, including:
- Urinary health
- Hairball control
- Skin and coat condition
- Digestive health
- Indoor cats
- Senior cats
Product availability varies by country.
Ingredients
CIAO products are known for emphasising real tuna, chicken fillet, bonito, scallop, and seafood broth. The company states that many CIAO products are made with human-grade ingredients and contain no meat by-products, artificial colouring, or preservatives (for many product lines). Individual formulations differ by product, so ingredient lists should always be checked before feeding.
Manufacturing
CIAO products are manufactured under the INABA group, with production taking place in Japan and Thailand. The company highlights strict food safety standards, seafood sourcing expertise, rigorous quality inspections, and integrated manufacturing systems.
Global Presence
CIAO products are sold throughout Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and numerous additional international markets through distributors.
Reputation
CIAO is widely recognised as one of Japan’s best-known premium cat food brands. According to INABA, CIAO has received Brand of the Year recognition at the World Branding Awards, and Euromonitor has recognised INABA as the world’s leading company in the cat wet treats category, covering brands including CIAO.
Among cat owners, CIAO Churu is especially noted for its high palatability and is frequently recommended as a treat or aid for administering medication, though treats should not replace a complete and balanced diet.
Availability in Singapore
In Singapore, CIAO products are sold through pet specialty retailers, veterinary clinics, major supermarket chains, and online marketplaces. Commonly available products include:
- CIAO Churu
- CIAO Tuna Cups
- CIAO Gravy Pouches
- CIAO Jelly Pouches
- CIAO Soup
- CIAO Canned Cat Food
As counterfeit pet products have occasionally been reported in online marketplaces regionally, buyers are generally advised to purchase from authorised or reputable sellers and verify packaging and labelling.
Parent Company
INABA Foods Co., Ltd.
- Founded: 1805 (company heritage); formally incorporated in 1948
- Headquarters: Japan
- Industry: Food manufacturing and pet nutrition
- Specialty: Seafood products and premium pet food
- Flagship pet brands: CIAO, Churu, and other INABA pet food lines3
