Schesir is an Italian-origin premium pet food brand best known for natural, minimally processed wet food for cats and dogs. Its recipes are particularly recognised for featuring visible pieces or fillets of meat and fish rather than homogenised pastes. The brand was launched in 1999 by Agras Pet Foods with a proposition centred on high-quality, natural ingredients. Over time, Schesir has expanded from predominantly complementary wet foods into a broader portfolio that includes complete and balanced wet foods, dry food, snacks and supplements.

Today, the corporate entity behind the brand is Schesir S.p.A., with its registered office in Milan and administrative headquarters in Genoa, Italy. 1 Schesir describes its foods as being formulated around real meat or fish, animal proteins, hydration, natural ingredients and essential nutrients. 2

Origins: Agras and Genoa

The history of Schesir begins with Agras, a Genoa-based company founded in 1986. Originally connected to the Italian fishing industry, the business was established to bring high-quality ingredients—some initially intended for human consumption—into the pet food sector. 3 This background underpins the brand’s strong historical association with fish, tuna and visible meat or fish fillets.

1999: Launch of Schesir

In 1999, Agras Pet Foods introduced Schesir in Europe. Industry accounts describe it as one of the first European pet food propositions built around 100% natural ingredients, initially offered as single-portion wet food in cans with jelly and added vitamins and minerals. Rather than presenting pet food as a generic processed commodity, Schesir emphasised ingredients that resembled human food, particularly recognisable pieces of tuna, chicken and other meats or fish.

Expansion and sustainability focus

The brand subsequently expanded its formats and product range, introducing its dry food line in 2007. During the 2010s, Schesir increasingly aligned itself with natural ingredients, limited processing, recyclable packaging and transparency. The company also placed significant emphasis on sustainable fishing practices for the tuna used in its products.

Shift to complete nutrition

A pivotal development in Schesir’s modern history is its move beyond the traditional complementary wet food positioning. Historically, many iconic wet recipes were intended to be fed alongside a nutritionally complete diet. In the 2020s, the company expanded its portfolio with complete and balanced recipes containing vitamins, minerals and taurine. 4 Consequently, not all Schesir wet foods serve the same nutritional role; some are complete meals while others remain complementary foods.

Schesir’s identity is strongly associated with naturalness, visible ingredients and respect for animals’ biological needs. Its current philosophy is summarised by the concept “Respect My Nature”, which prioritises animal biology over purely human-oriented marketing. 5 This approach emphasises nutritional needs, animal proteins, hydration and scientific formulation, marking an evolution from a simple natural premium proposition toward species-appropriate nutrition.

The philosophy comprises several key components:

• Respect for the carnivore: Recognising cats as obligate carnivores, the brand places considerable emphasis on animal protein and meat or fish as primary ingredients. 6
• Natural ingredients: Recipes utilise 100% natural ingredients, with minimal processing emphasised particularly for wet foods. 7
• Minimal processing: Traditional wet foods are prepared using steaming and hand preparation techniques intended to preserve texture, appearance and palatability. 8
• Transparency: The brand stresses clear ingredient declarations and avoids hidden or questionable ingredients. 9
• No artificial additives: Foods are made without added artificial preservatives or colourings. 10

Schesir’s current range extends significantly beyond the classic tuna in jelly cans historically associated with the brand.

Wet cat food

Wet cat food remains the brand’s most recognisable category. Recipes are available in various formats including jelly, cooking water or broth, mousse, pâté and fillet-based preparations in both cans and pouches. Ingredient combinations feature tuna, chicken, salmon, shrimp, seabass, mackerel and other animal proteins. 11 The visual identity is distinctly associated with whole or recognisable pieces of fish and meat rather than entirely homogenised textures.

Complete Nutrition

The Complete Nutrition range represents a strategically important category formulated as complete and balanced wet food. These recipes contain real meat or fish fillets alongside vitamins, minerals and taurine. 12 This formulation addresses the limitation where attractive ingredient lists do not necessarily guarantee nutritional completeness, combining visible premium ingredients with palatability, hydration and full nutritional balance.

Dry food

Schesir produces dry food for both cats and dogs, featuring distinct product lines:

• Animal Monoprotein Formula: These recipes use a single animal protein source with fresh meat or fish as the first ingredient. The line includes FOS and beet pulp for digestive support, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. 13
• Born Carnivore: A protein-focused concept described as oven-baked, grain-free and high in animal protein with relatively low carbohydrates. Designed around feline carnivorous biology, recipes such as the chicken variety list fresh chicken as the first ingredient with 45% protein content. 14

Organic BIO range

The BIO range of wet cat foods is certified organic, complete and balanced, and minimally processed. Applicable formulations are grain-free and based on a single main animal protein source, free from added colourings and preservatives. 15 This positions the brand within both the premium natural and organic pet food segments.

Dog food

While particularly renowned among cat owners, Schesir maintains a comprehensive dog portfolio including wet complete food, complementary wet food, dry food, snacks and functional products. The wet range encompasses both traditional recipes and newer complete-and-balanced formulations. 16 Small dog offerings have historically included small portions featuring fish, tuna and meat recipes.

Snacks and supplements

The portfolio further extends to training treats, jerky and meatball snacks, skin and coat products, supplements and fish oil. The official catalogue positions Schesir as a broader pet nutrition brand rather than solely a canned food manufacturer. 17

A defining characteristic of Schesir is the emphasis on recognisable animal ingredients. For example, a current tuna and chicken recipe lists tuna, chicken fillets, shrimp, rice, sunflower oil and minerals, containing 83% moisture and formulated as complete wet food with added micronutrients. 18 Another product lists tuna as comprising 55% of the recipe. 19 This transparency allows consumers to visibly identify the fish or meat within the packaging, distinguishing it from conventional pet food.

Hydration is also central to the nutritional positioning. Wet food naturally contains significantly more water than dry kibble, and Schesir explicitly promotes this as a means of increasing pet water intake. 20 Recipes prepared in jelly, broth or mousse can be particularly suitable for cats with low voluntary water consumption.

Environmental and ethical commitments

Schesir has integrated sustainability into its brand image through several initiatives. The company states that its tuna is sourced from sustainable fishing, with individual products identifying this as part of their sourcing proposition. 21 Packaging efforts include the use of recyclable aluminium or steel cans and paper labels, with country-specific recycling guidance provided for different formats. 22 Additionally, many products explicitly carry a cruelty-free claim, extending the sustainability message to encompass animal welfare. 23

Manufacturing origins

Manufacturing locations vary by product line, meaning the brand cannot be categorised simply as “Made in Italy”. Current dry products may be identified as Made in Italy, 24 while Born Carnivore products are identified as Made in Canada. 25 Traditional wet products continue to emphasise steaming and hand preparation techniques. Therefore, Schesir is accurately described as an Italian-origin brand with diverse manufacturing origins for specific products.

Schesir occupies a distinct space in the pet food market, positioned above conventional mass-market options through premium ingredients, natural positioning, visible meat or fish and specialised formulations. Simultaneously, its modern strategy focuses on scientific nutritional completeness, with recipes developed with input from veterinary nutritionists under the “Respect My Nature” approach.

Complementary versus complete food

Understanding the distinction between complementary and complete food is essential for consumers. “Natural” does not automatically equate to “complete”. Schesir sells both complete and balanced food, designed to meet all nutritional requirements when fed according to guidelines, and complementary food, designed to supplement another complete diet. Classic recipes such as tuna with mahi-mahi are explicitly classified as complementary wet food, 26 whereas newer Complete Nutrition recipes are classified as complete wet food. The designation on the individual product label is therefore more significant than the brand logo alone when selecting food for daily feeding.

Competitive characteristics

The brand’s competitive identity is defined by six key characteristics:

1. Visible ingredients: Recognition for identifiable tuna, chicken and fish fillets.
2. Natural positioning: Consistent emphasis on natural ingredients and minimal processing. 27
3. Wet-food expertise: Historical strength in wet food, particularly fish-based recipes.
4. Palatability: Strong sensory appeal derived from fish, meat, broth and jelly combinations.
5. Sustainability narrative: Integration of responsible fishing, recyclable packaging and animal welfare claims. 28
6. Nutritional science evolution: Combination of traditional natural food propositions with complete nutrition and veterinary expertise.

The business behind the brand has operated under names including Agras Pet Foods and Agras Delic. The current official site identifies Schesir S.p.A. as the owner of the trademark and brand. The broader corporate group has also developed other pet food brands, including Stuzzy and ADoC. 29 Schesir is thus a distinct brand entity rather than merely the name of the original operating company.

Schesir’s primary strengths lie in its strong brand recognition within the premium natural wet food segment, attractive and recognisable ingredients, extensive recipe variety and palatability. However, consumers should note that nutritional profiles vary substantially between ranges, manufacturing origins differ by product, and the “natural” philosophy does not inherently guarantee nutritional superiority over non-natural alternatives. The appropriate choice depends on whether the food is intended as a staple diet, topper, treat or complementary meal.

Historically, Schesir helped popularise a style of premium pet food where the visual identity of ingredients became part of the product experience, selling a sensory idea of real food rather than industrial feed. Its contemporary strategy seeks to preserve this natural, premium identity while integrating complete nutrition, veterinary formulation and a broader dry food portfolio. 30

Ultimately, Schesir is an Italian-origin premium pet food brand founded in 1999, historically best known for natural, fish- and meat-based wet food for cats. It has evolved into a comprehensive pet nutrition business covering cats and dogs, wet and dry food, complete and complementary diets, organic products, monoprotein formulas, snacks and supplements. 31 The most significant recent shift is the transition from a primarily complementary wet food brand toward a complete nutrition brand guided by the “Respect My Nature” philosophy. 32

1. 쉐지애 – Schesir
2. Contact us | Schesir
3. Schesir | Wet and dry natural food for Cats and Dogs
4. Natural Selection – Schesir Natural Selection
5. Tuna With Aloe Kitten in jelly 85g in can – Schesir
6. Complete nutrition – Schesir
7. Respect My Nature | Schesir
8. Tuna and chicken with shrimps in jelly – Schesir
9. Schesir | Wet and dry natural food for Cats and Dogs
10. Natural dry food for cats | Schesir
11. Adult Fish 1,5kg – Schesir
12. Chicken with herring & salmon 255g – Schesir
13. Organic wet food for cats | Schesir
14. Tonnetto in gelatina 6x50g – Schesir
15. How to recycle – Schesir
16. Tuna With Mahi Mahi in jelly 85g in can – Schesir
17. Schesir & CO | LinkedIn
18. SCHESIR, la marca che da sempre rappresenta il top della qualità per cani e gatti.
19. Schesir | Pet Food Naturale per Cani e Gatti – TuttoFarma
20. Schesir – Anadolu Pet Grup
21. Schesir – Flyingminds
22. Unbiased Schesir Cat Food Review – Cats.com
23. Schesir: la nutrizione giusta per natura – Pet Trend
24. Newsletter – Pet Trade Xtra – Issue 37 2023 – Pedigree Wholesale becomes UK distributor for Schesir
25. Schesir (Шезир) корм для кошек: отзывы, влажный, для стерилизованных, для котят, где купить
26. FAQ – Schesir Natural Selection
27. Schesir: 20 anni di attività per il brand che ha segnato l’esordio del pet food naturale
28. Schesir. I nostri primi vent’anni, all’insegna del rispetto per gli animali – LifeGate
29. SCHESIR SOCIETA’ PER AZIONI – LEI: 8156001C7A7043D64071
30. Schesir | Wet and dry natural food for Cats and Dogs
31. Complete nutrition – Schesir
32. Salmon in cooking water – Schesir