Chef Kitty

What Chef Kitty does

Chef Kitty is a US-based direct-to-consumer premium pet treats brand operating from Long Island City, NY, that formulates and sells freeze-dried single-ingredient treats and grain-free lickable treats for cats and dogs. The company was established around 2020-2021 by a family whose teacup Pomeranian (Hazel) had a sensitive stomach; it describes itself as a female-owned, small family team of 1-10 people. Product positioning centers on "human-grade," single-ingredient, USA inspected-and-tested formulations, marketed to pet owners who prioritize ingredient transparency, novel proteins, and functional nutrition (e.g., taurine-rich organ meats for feline cardiac health, omega-3 fish proteins for coat and joint health).

The core product line is built around a freeze-drying (sublimation) process in which fresh meat or fish is frozen and placed in a vacuum chamber, removing nearly all moisture without cooking so that flavor, texture, protein, and nutrient integrity are preserved. The range spans single-protein freeze-dried SKUs (chicken breast, wild-caught tuna, wild-caught salmon, chicken heart, chicken liver, beef liver, quail egg yolk), Purée Pops lickable creamy treats in 10- and 20-pack tubes, Freeze-Dried Waffles in four functional flavors (Pumpkin, Blueberry, Cranberry, Barley Grass), and pet accessories including a Cat Treat Spoon and Collapsible Travel Bowls.

Chef Kitty operates a DTC-first e-commerce model on Shopify (chef-kitty.com) with US-only shipping, free shipping above $59, and same-day fulfillment Monday-Friday. Wholesale distribution is layered on through the Faire marketplace (chefkitty.faire.com) for retail resellers. SKUs are priced from $5.49 (accessories) to $19.95 (specialty waffles/larger proteins), with unit pricing across sizes (1.4oz to 9.5oz) but no formal subscription model; customer acquisition relies on content marketing (an 11-page blog), organic and paid social (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, X), Google Analytics-driven retargeting, and Judge.me-verified reviews (814+ reviews, 10,000+ claimed happy customers). The company is privately held, bootstrapped, and has no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

Chef Kitty

Website

https://chef-kitty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chef Kitty is a US-based, female-owned DTC pet treats brand selling human-grade, single-ingredient freeze-dried treats, grain-free lickable purée pops, and freeze-dried waffles for cats and dogs via Shopify and Faire wholesale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Pet Treats

NAICS

Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111), Animal Food Manufacturing (3111), Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (45991)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Cookies & Crackers (2052)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen & Raw Pet Food (incl. freeze-dried) (CRADAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Pet Food (AFADAFAD), Pet Treats & Chews (AFADAFAF), Treats & Chews (CRADAFAE), Pet Food & Treats Retail (CRALAHAB), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH)

Keywords

• Freeze-dried pet treats
• Single-ingredient cat treats
• Human-grade dog treats
• Lickable cat treats
• Premium pet nutrition

Headquarters

HQ city

Long Island City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Chef Kitty generates revenue through direct-to-consumer online sales via their Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront at chef-kitty.com. Customers purchase individual products or bundles at listed retail prices with optional subscription/Subscribe and Save options mentioned on product pages. Revenue is one-time transaction-based with potential for recurring purchases.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Chef Kitty sells products wholesale through the Faire marketplace platform (chefkitty.faire.com), allowing retail stores to stock their pet treat products. This B2B channel complements direct-to-consumer sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Chef Kitty manufactures and sells premium human-grade, single-ingredient freeze-dried pet treats and grain-free lickable Purée Pops treats for cats and dogs, plus a small line of pet feeding accessories. All treats are USA inspected and tested, free from grains and artificial preservatives, and sold primarily through the brand's Shopify e-commerce storefront with supplemental wholesale distribution via Faire.

Product overview

Chef Kitty is a pet treats company offering a portfolio of premium freeze-dried treats and wet/cat treats for cats and dogs. The core product lines include single-ingredient freeze-dried proteins (chicken, tuna, salmon, duck, beef liver, chicken heart, chicken liver, and quail egg yolk), Purée Pops lickable treats in multiple flavors, and freeze-dried waffle treats. The company also sells pet feeding accessories including cat treat spoons and collapsible travel bowls. All treats are USA inspected and tested, human-grade, grain-free, and free from artificial preservatives. The company was founded after searching for healthy treats for a sensitive Pomeranian dog named Hazel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Human Grade Freeze-Dried Chicken Treats for Cats & Dogs Single-ingredient freeze-dried chicken breast treats made from 100% chicken with no fillers, preservatives, or grains. Available in 1.75oz, 3.5oz, and 7.7oz sizes. For cat and dog owners seeking high-protein, limited-ingredient treats.
• 100% Wild Caught Tuna Treats for Cats & Dogs Single-ingredient freeze-dried wild-caught tuna treats rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein. Available in 1.7oz and 8.5oz sizes. For cat and dog owners seeking fish-based, novel-protein treats.
• Wild Caught Freeze Dried Salmon Treats for Cats & Dogs Single-ingredient freeze-dried wild-caught salmon treats that are 100% natural and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for coat, skin, joints, and brain health. Available in 1.4oz, 2.7oz, and 7.05oz sizes.
• Freeze Dried Chicken Heart Pet Treats for Cats & Dogs Single-ingredient freeze-dried chicken heart treats naturally high in taurine and CoQ10 to support feline heart function, vision, and immune health. Size: 2.6oz.
• Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Pet Treats Single-ingredient freeze-dried chicken liver treats nutrient-dense in Vitamin A, B12, iron, and taurine. Available in 3.1oz size.
• Chef Kitty Purée Pops - Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats 20-Pack Grain-free lickable creamy puree cat treats in 20-pack bundles with over 90% moisture content and fewer than 10 calories per tube. Enriched with taurine and Vitamin E. Available in Chicken Mixed Variety, Seafood Variety, and Mixed Flavors.
• Chef Kitty Purée Pops - Lickable Creamy Cat Treats (10-Pack) Grain-free lickable creamy puree cat treats in 10-pack bundles at $9.95, enriched with taurine and Vitamin E. Available in Salmon, Chicken, Tuna, Chicken Cranberry, and Chicken Krill flavors.
• Human Grade Freeze Dried Waffles for Cats & Dogs Human-grade freeze-dried waffle-shaped treats for cats and dogs made with chicken and chicken liver. Available in 4 natural flavors (Pumpkin, Blueberry, Cranberry, Barley Grass) and Small/Large sizes, from $19.95.
• High-Protein Beef Liver Cat and Dog Treats Single-ingredient freeze-dried beef liver treats that are grain-free and rich in Vitamin A, B12, iron, and zinc. Available in 2.1oz, 3.9oz, and 9.5oz sizes.
• Quail Egg Yolk Treats for Cats & Dogs Single-ingredient freeze-dried quail egg yolk treats that are an all-natural, high-protein, gluten-free superfood rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, natural lecithin, and biotin. Available in 4.4oz and 8.8oz sizes, from $18.95.
• Chef Kitty Cat Treat Spoon Cat treat spoon designed for serving Chef Kitty lickable Purée Pops treats, intended to make treat time easier and more interactive for cat owners.
• Collapsible Dog Bowls for Travel Portable foldable dog water and food bowls for dogs and cats, BPA-free with carabiner attachment, designed for walking, hiking, and camping. Priced at $5.49.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shelf life of 12-18 months when stored properly
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationChef Kitty's e-commerce website is powered by Shopify platform. Shopify handles online store functionality including product listings, shopping cart, checkout processing, payment collection, order management, and customer accounts. This is a core technology infrastructure partnership essential to the company's direct-to-consumer operations.
• Good Boy Studios, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationProcessor/controller partner Good Boy Studios, Inc. handles marketing technology, analytics, and data processing for the company. Manages pet profile data, email subscription processing, and shares information with third-party marketing agencies for targeted advertising.
• FairesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale marketplace platform enabling retail stores to purchase Chef Kitty products for resale. Provides B2B distribution channel beyond direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tiki Cat: Premium cat-specific wet and treat brand with high-protein, low-carb formulations; competes for the same label-conscious cat-owner segment that Chef Kitty targets with its 'Born for cats' positioning.
• Stella & Chewy's: Premium freeze-dried raw pet food and treat brand with single-ingredient proteins and broad retail distribution; competes directly with Chef Kitty's positioning on human-grade, USA-made, freeze-dried treats.
• Primal Pet Foods: Freeze-dried raw and frozen pet food/treats brand with single-protein SKUs (chicken, beef, salmon) sold via DTC and specialty retail, mirroring Chef Kitty's ingredient philosophy and freeze-drying technology.
• Open Farm: Premium pet food and treat brand with a strong ethical-sourcing, single-ingredient narrative sold DTC and through specialty retail, comparable to Chef Kitty's human-grade, traceable positioning.
• Vital Essentials: Direct competitor offering freeze-dried raw pet treats and food for cats and dogs, including single-protein SKUs (chicken, beef liver, heart) that overlap almost one-for-one with Chef Kitty's catalog and price points.
• Northwest Naturals: Freeze-dried raw pet food and treats producer using single-ingredient proteins (chicken, beef liver, salmon) with strong DTC and pet-specialty presence, directly comparable to Chef Kitty's product set and price points.
• Purely Natural Pet: Single-ingredient freeze-dried pet treat brand focused on transparency and minimal processing; closely overlaps with Chef Kitty's single-protein, no-filler product story for cats and dogs.
• Inaba Foods (Churu): Maker of Churu lickable creamy cat treats — the dominant brand in the lickable/creamy cat treat category that Chef Kitty's Purée Pops directly competes against in form factor, flavor variety, and price point.

Broad incumbents

• Orijen (Champion Petfoods): Large incumbent premium pet food brand offering freeze-dried cat and dog treats made with regional ingredients; broader portfolio and global retail footprint overlap with Chef Kitty on the freeze-dried category.
• Wellness Pet Company: Established mass-premium pet food and treat brand owned by Clearlake Capital with broad retail distribution; competes in adjacent natural/grain-free treat categories that overlap with Chef Kitty's positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChefKittyUSA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chefkittyusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/chef.kitty.usa
• TikToktiktok.com/@chefkittyusa?lang=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chef Kitty