Yes, Ciao Churu is a good treat for most healthy cats. It is low in calories, high in moisture, and has a short ingredient list. It is not a complete food, though, so it should stay a small extra on top of your cat’s regular meals.
What Is Ciao Churu?
Churu is a lickable purée treat made by Inaba, a Japanese pet food company. “Ciao” is one of Inaba’s brand names, which is why you will see the treat called both Ciao Churu and Inaba Churu. It is the same product line.
Each treat is a soft paste sealed in a slim 0.5 ounce tube. You tear off the top and squeeze a little out for your cat to lick. Churu comes in a range of chicken and tuna based flavors, and the packs sold in North America are made in Thailand.
What’s in a Tube?
The recipes are simple. The plain tuna flavor, for example, lists water, tuna, tapioca, natural flavors, guar gum, vitamin E, and green tea extract. Chicken flavors swap in chicken. Exact formulas vary a little by flavor and package, so check your box.
The label numbers for the classic purées are:
- Calories: about 6 per tube
- Moisture: 91% maximum
- Crude protein: 7% minimum
- Crude fat: 0.2% minimum
Churu is grain-free and made without artificial colors or preservatives.
Why Cats (and Owners) Like It
- It is low in calories. At about 6 calories a tube, it fits easily into a treat budget.
- It is mostly water. Each lick adds a little fluid, which helps cats that eat mainly dry food. A tube is small, so think of it as a bonus, not a substitute for wet food or a water bowl.
- It works for bonding and training. Hand-feeding from the tube helps shy cats warm up to people. It also makes a handy distraction during brushing, nail trims, or carrier practice.
- It is easy to eat. Kittens, seniors, and cats with sore mouths can lick it without chewing.
- It can tempt picky eaters. A stripe of Churu on top of regular food gets some cats to start eating.
The Limits
Churu’s own feeding directions say it is a treat and is not intended to be fed as a meal. It does not contain the full set of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids a cat needs every day. A cat that fills up on Churu and skips regular food will miss out on nutrients.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- Cats can get hooked. Some cats start holding out for Churu and refusing their normal food. If that happens, cut back.
- Not every cat should have it. If your cat eats a prescription diet or has kidney disease, a food allergy, or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding any treat.
- Pills are a separate question. Many owners hide medication in Churu. Check with your vet first, because some medicines should not be given with food.
How Much Churu Can a Cat Have?
The package directions and veterinary guidance agree on the main rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends that the other 90% come from complete and balanced food.
Here is how that works in practice. If your vet says your cat should eat 200 calories a day, the treat budget is 20 calories. That is about three tubes, with no other treats that day. A smaller or less active cat gets fewer. Most cats do well with one or two tubes a day.
Start with a small squeeze the first time to make sure it agrees with your cat’s stomach. Refrigerate an opened tube and use it up soon.
Can Kittens Have Churu?
Churu is labeled for all life stages, so it is fine as an occasional treat for kittens that are eating solid food. Keep portions small. Kittens need the calories and nutrients in their kitten food to grow, and treats should not crowd that out.
Can Dogs Eat Ciao Churu?
A lick of cat Churu is unlikely to hurt a healthy dog, but it is made and portioned for cats. Inaba sells a separate Churu line for dogs. Choose that one if your dog wants in on the fun.
Which Churu Should You Try First?
Start with a small pack in a protein your cat already likes. If you are not sure, our Ciao Churu Tuna review looks at the tuna flavor in detail. You can also compare Churu with similar products in our guide to lickable wet treats for cats, or read what to look for in cat treats before you shop.
Bottom Line
Ciao Churu is a safe, low-calorie treat that most healthy cats love. Keep it to a tube or two a day, count it toward the 10% treat limit, and never use it in place of a complete and balanced cat food. If your cat has a medical condition or eats a special diet, check with your vet first.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Call your veterinarian with any questions about your cat’s diet or health.
