About Forcans
Forcans (also known as FORCANS / 포켄스) is a South Korean pet-care and pet-product company founded in 1999. The company develops and manufactures products for companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, with a strong focus on functional treats, dental care, nutrition, grooming, hygiene, and other everyday pet-care products. Its headquarters and main operations are located in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. 1
Basic profile
| Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Forcans (포켄스) |
| Company | FORCANS INC. |
| Origin | South Korea |
| Founded | January 1999 |
| Headquarters | 100 Gongdan 2-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| CEO | Koo Bon-gil |
| Industry | Pet food, treats, pet health & grooming |
| Main animals | Dogs and cats |
| Key specialties | Dental chews, functional treats, supplements, grooming and hygiene |
| International presence | Asia, Japan, North America and other export markets |
The company’s official information identifies Koo Bon-gil as CEO and provides its Anseong address along with Korean business registration details. 2
History
Forcans was established in January 1999 in the Namdong National Industrial Complex in Incheon. It initially operated under South Korea’s regulatory framework for manufacturing quasi-pharmaceutical products for animals.
Its development can broadly be divided into several stages:
- 1999–2003 — Establishment and early exports: Forcans established its business in Korea and began exporting to markets including China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
- 2002 — Quality management: The company obtained ISO 9001 quality-management certification. 3
- 2003–2007 — Expansion: Forcans relocated its factory to a larger facility in the Anseong Industrial Complex and expanded its companion-animal snack manufacturing capacity.
- 2004 — R&D: It established the Forcans Central Research Institute, reflecting a move toward in-house research and product development.
- 2006–2009 — Research and internationalization: The company participated in industry–university research projects, expanded exports and established Forcans Japan in 2009.
- 2010s — Dental-care specialization: Forcans developed and patented various functional pet dental-chew technologies, with patents or registrations in markets including the United States, Japan and Europe.
- 2018–2024 — North American expansion: The company established a U.S. entity/manufacturing operation and subsequently entered American retail/e-commerce channels including Amazon, Chewy and PetSmart.
This history illustrates how Forcans evolved from a Korean animal-product manufacturer into an international pet-life and health brand.
Product portfolio
Forcans offers a broad product portfolio beyond simple dog treats. Its current catalog includes categories such as:
- Functional dental snacks
- Functional nutritional/supplement treats
- Pet desserts
- Dog and cat shampoos
- Conditioners
- Pet hygiene products
- Deodorizing products
- Other pet-care products
The company emphasizes functional pet products—items intended to provide specific health benefits beyond basic caloric intake or entertainment.
Dental-care products
A significant area of focus for Forcans is pet dental care. The product portfolio includes dental chews and functional dental snacks designed around oral-care concepts. The flagship site highlights KaNoodles®, described as a premium dental chew/treat for adult dogs rather than an ordinary chew.
Forcans holds patents relating to:
- Pet dental chews
- Removal of dental plaque and tartar
- Multifunctional pet gums/chews
- Manufacturing methods for these products
Patent registrations have been recorded in jurisdictions including the United States, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Finland and others.
Functional nutrition
Another major category is functional nutrition. Forcans markets nutritional treats intended to provide specific forms of health support. The website promotes Nutrition Treats, including products aimed at areas such as hip and joint care. The philosophy integrates health-oriented ingredients into treats that pets readily consume, reflecting a broader industry trend toward functional pet treats.
Grooming and hygiene
Forcans maintains a substantial grooming business. The catalog includes:
- Shampoo for long-haired cats
- Shampoo for short-haired cats
- Large-dog shampoo/conditioner
- Sensitive-skin shampoo
- Oatmeal shampoo
- Aloe products
- Coat-specific shampoos
- Deodorizing and hygiene products
Unlike companies focused exclusively on pet food, Forcans operates across multiple segments of the pet-care ecosystem.
Corporate philosophy and positioning
Forcans describes its core philosophy as: “We create the happiness of pets, not products.” The company states its objective is to prioritize the health and happiness of companion animals while producing healthy food and safe pet products through research and quality-controlled manufacturing.
Stated corporate priorities include:
- Quality and customer satisfaction
- Competitive pricing
- Product differentiation and R&D
- Trust and long-term partnerships
- Animal welfare and coexistence
- Environmentally conscious and ethical management
Research is central to the company’s identity. Forcans established its own research institute in 2004 and participates in collaborative projects with Korean universities and government-related agricultural/veterinary programs. The company’s quality system includes certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management), HACCP designation for its pet-food factory, and INNO-BIZ certification.
Internationally, Forcans positions itself at the intersection of pet food, functional nutrition, dental health, grooming, hygiene, and R&D. This combination differentiates it from brands concentrating solely on conventional pet food.
International presence
Although Korean in origin, international business has been part of Forcans since its inception. Historical records show exports to China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, India, and other markets.
Japan
Japan is a key market. FORCANS JAPAN Inc. was established in 2009 and operates as the company’s Japanese business entity. Its catalog includes dental products, functional treats, desserts, and pet-care products. 4 5
United States
Forcans expanded into the United States with the establishment of a U.S. entity in 2018 and a production facility in 2019. Listings followed on Amazon (2020), Chewy (2021), and PetSmart (2024).
Singapore
Forcans products are available in Singapore, including functional treats, yogurt gums, dental chews, shampoos, and other grooming products. Local retailers list items such as the Happy 3 Fairy Yogurt Gum range. This aligns with the company’s historical record of beginning exports to Singapore as early as 2002. 4 5
Notable product lines
Some prominent brand families associated with Forcans include:
KaNoodles®
A dental-chew line positioned around canine oral health, described as a premium dental chew/treat for adult dogs.
Denti 3 Fairy
A functional dental-food line shaped for dental-care use. Products often contain ingredients like chlorella and vitamins and are designed in a toothbrush-like form.
Happy 3 Fairy
A line of functional gums and treats, including yogurt-gum products.
Nutrition Treats
A functional-treat family designed for daily nutritional and health support, including products for hip and joint care.
Pet Desserts
Dessert-style products, including fruit-based puree treats for dogs.
Distinctive features
Key aspects that distinguish Forcans include:
- Korean origin and manufacturing heritage
- Strong specialization in functional dental products
- Emphasis on R&D and patents
- Focus on companion-animal health beyond feeding
- Combination of food, treats, and grooming products
- Long-standing export orientation
- Own manufacturing and research infrastructure
- ISO/HACCP and other quality-related certifications
- Established Japanese subsidiary
- Expansion into the U.S. market
Clarification on naming
It is important to note that the name “Forcans” may refer to different entities. The subject of this article is the South Korean pet-care company, FORCANS INC., founded in 1999, with a business registration number of 125-81-78669. There are unrelated businesses named FORCANS in other countries; for example, a French company with the same name operates in real estate and should not be confused with the Korean pet brand. 6
Summary
Forcans is best understood as a Korean pet-health and pet-care manufacturer rather than simply a pet-treat brand. Founded in 1999, it has spent over two decades building capabilities in pet-food manufacturing, functional treats, dental care, grooming, and R&D. Its strongest niche lies in functional pet products, especially dental chews and health-oriented treats, while its portfolio extends to grooming, hygiene, and pet desserts. With exports beginning in the early 2000s and continued expansion through Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America, Forcans maintains an increasingly international presence.
