Ciao Churu Tuna is a lickable tuna purée treat that most cats go wild for. It has about 6 calories a tube and a short ingredient list, which makes it one of the easier treats to fit into a healthy diet. It is a treat only, not a meal.
What Is Ciao Churu Tuna?
Churu is made by Inaba, a Japanese company, and sold under both the Ciao and Inaba names. The tuna recipe is a smooth paste packed in slim 0.5 ounce tubes. You tear the top and squeeze it out a little at a time. Packs sold in North America are made in Thailand.
Tuna is also the base for several other Churu flavors. The tuna variety packs usually include:
- Tuna
- Tuna with Chicken
- Tuna with Scallop
- Tuna with Salmon
Packs range from 4 tubes up to large variety boxes, so you can try a few before buying in bulk.
Ingredients
The plain tuna recipe lists water, tuna, tapioca, natural flavors, guar gum, natural tuna flavor, vitamin E supplement, and green tea extract. Depending on the package, you may also see gelatin or fructooligosaccharide, a prebiotic fiber.
What each one does:
- Water and tuna: the bulk of the treat. Tuna supplies the protein and the smell cats love.
- Tapioca and guar gum: thicken the purée so it squeezes out smoothly.
- Vitamin E and green tea extract: antioxidants that help keep the product fresh.
There are no grains, artificial colors, or added preservatives.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude protein (min) | 7% |
| Crude fat (min) | 0.2% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 0.3% |
| Moisture (max) | 91% |
| Vitamin E (min) | 310 IU/kg |
| Calories | About 6 kcal per tube (430 kcal/kg) |
The fiber figure differs slightly between flavors and packages. Because the treat is 91% water, nearly everything that is left is protein. It has almost no fat, which is why the calorie count is so low.
What We Like
- Very low in calories. At about 6 calories, one tube is a small part of a cat’s daily intake.
- Short, clear ingredient list. Real tuna is the main ingredient after water.
- Cats love the taste. It is useful for shy cats, nail trims, carrier training, and vet visits.
- Extra moisture. Every tube adds a little water to your cat’s day.
- Easy to serve. No bowl or spoon needed, and nothing to chew.
What We Don’t Like
- It is not complete and balanced. The directions say it is not intended to be fed as a meal.
- Cats can get picky. Some start refusing regular food and waiting for Churu.
- Lots of packaging. Each serving is its own tube.
- It can add up in cost if you feed several tubes a day.
- It is fish-based. Skip it if your cat has a known fish allergy, and try a chicken flavor if your vet agrees.
How to Feed Churu Tuna
You can serve it three ways:
- From the tube. Tear the top and squeeze slowly while your cat licks.
- In a dish. Squeeze it into a bowl or onto a lick mat.
- As a topper. Draw a stripe over wet or dry food to tempt a fussy eater.
Keep treats to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. For most cats, that means one or two tubes a day, and fewer if your cat gets other treats. Your vet can tell you how many calories your cat needs.
Refrigerate an opened tube and use it soon. Offer a small amount the first time to check that it sits well with your cat’s stomach.
Want to see what else is out there? Our guide to lickable wet treats for cats covers similar products.
Is Tuna Churu OK Every Day?
For a healthy adult cat, a tube a day is fine as long as the main diet is a complete and balanced cat food. Problems start when treats replace meals. If your cat eats a prescription diet or has kidney disease, allergies, or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding it.
For a wider look at the brand, including kittens, dogs, and safety questions, see is Ciao Churu good for your cat?
Tuna vs. Chicken Churu
The two lines are close in calories, moisture, and texture. The difference is mostly taste. Fish lovers tend to pick tuna. Cats that are sensitive to fish, or that already eat a lot of fish-based food, may do better with chicken. A mixed variety pack is the cheapest way to find out. You can also compare other brands in our roundup of purée cat treats.
Bottom Line
Ciao Churu Tuna is a tasty, low-calorie treat with simple ingredients. It works well for bonding, training, and adding a little moisture. Keep it to a tube or two a day, and make sure your cat’s real nutrition comes from a complete and balanced food.
This review is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian if your cat has a health condition or a special diet.
