GUAU&CAT: The real food for dogs arrives at El Pallol

Desde hace algunas semanas, los visitantes del Passeig Comercial de el Pallol, en Reus, pueden disfrutar de los servicios de la primera tienda física Guau&Cat. Se trata de un nuevo comercio que ofrece una propuesta de comida saludable y 100% natural para perros (y dentro de muy poco también para gatos).

Under the slogan “if you eat healthy, why shouldn't they?” the team of experts at Guau&Cat has designed a comprehensive menu offering that avoids ultra-processed foods in favor of creating dishes, whether raw or well-cooked, that include only 100% natural ingredients. Each menu is crafted from the personal experience of a team that has been dedicated to animal nutrition for over 15 years and is supervised by veterinarians specialized in nutrition and natural therapies, as well as advised by a doctor in bio-pathologies.

Los usuarios que deseen acercarse a el Pallol para conocer más a fondo esta novedosa propuesta “real food” para perros y gatos, pueden hacerlo en horario de 9h a 21h, de lunes a sábado, y serán asesorados de forma personalizada por el equipo Guau&Cat para encontrar la opción que más se adecue a las necesidades de su mascota.

We talked with the team at Guau&Cat to find out more about this interesting natural food proposal that is now available at 8 Montserrat Street in el Pallol.

When and how was Guau&Cat founded?

Everything starts with the need to feed the household dogs. Pep, who is in charge of the entire production process, has always had Great Danes, so you can imagine feeding “x” giant-sized dogs (they eat an average of 1.8kg daily). With natural feeding, our dogs were much better: shinier coat, less water intake (reducing the risk of the dreaded torsions), more streamlined and athletic figure... and almost equally important: they enjoyed eating! When we decided to start, it was because we saw that for many people, changing their dogs' diet was a huge ordeal, whether due to a lack of knowledge about a dog's needs, lack of time, and of course, the economic factor played a big role.

This project was born from here: we wanted to meet the need for good nutrition without it being a financial burden or strain on families. We are working so that, in a short while, we can also offer good food for cats. (Our customers are going crazy because the household cats are stealing the dogs' food ?)

How has your proposal for healthy dog and cat food been received by users?

We are very pleased with the great reception of our natural food: both raw and cooked. The word of mouth from our customers has led us to launch our brand “Guau&Cat” throughout the Peninsula.

Is the Pallol store your first brick-and-mortar business?

Well, actually, no. We started in a small workshop/store open to the public so that customers could follow the entire production process. This generated a very good reception and trust, as customers could see meats, vegetables, and fish 'in situ'.

From that small place, the demand started to grow and it was necessary to expand everything and we moved to a small warehouse. We were getting calls from different parts of Spain: “a friend of a friend” is your customer and would like to feed their dog with your menus. And a few months ago we ventured into e-commerce www.guauandcat.com. The growth has been exponential and we are truly very satisfied.

We have finally decided to open a physical store, to be able to offer face-to-face advice. Being close to people, dogs, and cats is essential.

Why have you chosen Passeig Comercial el Pallol as the location for your business?

We already had very good references about the center. The first thing is that it's at street level, not an impersonal large shopping area. It goes along with our philosophy, familiarity, closeness... All the people who are part of the Commercial Walk are very approachable and kind. They are great professionals, everything flows smoothly.

What are the elements that you value the most about the place? And about the location?

The place is like a fishbowl. With lots of glass, open, it invites you in. We want people and dogs to feel at home, comfortable. To get to know us. Our intention is to conduct pet nutrition workshops, which is why we have incorporated a kitchen.

The location has the benefits of a shopping center and a local business. It is at street level.

What will customers find when they come to Guau&Cat?

You will find natural food for your pets (dogs and soon cats): Meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Available both raw and cooked at low temperatures. We do not use additives, flavorings, or preservatives. You will find it in 1Kg or 0.5kg formats, ready to defrost and serve. You will also find completely natural dehydrated products (snacks) to promote training, play, and good health.

Guau&Cat introduces itself with the slogan, if you eat healthy, why shouldn't they? What is your unique value proposition compared to other dog and cat food offerings?

We haven't invented anything new, we just use common sense. We have adapted the ancestral diet of dogs and cats to modern life. We all know the importance of having a healthy diet and exercising. If that's the case, why shouldn't it be the same for our pets?

We believe that many of the current diseases and ailments of our dogs and cats are related to poor nutrition and the use of ultra-processed foods (such as kibble).

Our product, despite being of high quality, is intended for all households/budgets in the country. We try to show that feeding them naturally is feasible and should not be an economic waste.

There is currently a greater awareness of the importance of consuming natural products, and there is an increasing avoidance of ultra-processed foods. Has this trend reached the world of dogs and cats?

Yes, fortunately there is more awareness of avoiding ultra-processed foods in the family diet. And again, fortunately, animals are part of the family, therefore, there is an attempt to act in the same way.

So you are the 'real food' option for dog and cat food? How does it work?

Yes, we can define it that way. 'Real food' is simply the healthy food that has always been around. All we have done is research which foods are better for dogs and cats. We must remember that the emergence of ultra-processed foods (pet food) is a relatively new invention that appeared in the 1960s. We are backed by specialists such as: veterinary nutritionists and Doctors in Biomedicine.

Does it work the same for dogs and cats?

No, the nutritional needs are different. Cats are obligate carnivores by definition and require Taurine, an essential amino acid that they cannot synthesize on their own.

Who creates the menus you offer? Do they change periodically?

Our menus are crafted from 15 years of personal experience. We modify them with the assistance of veterinarians specialized in nutrition and natural therapies, and with a doctor in bio-pathologies.

We have 12 different dishes (both raw and cooked), which combined create menus that provide a healthy and balanced diet.

What benefits will animals notice from consuming the natural food 'Guau&Cat'?

Among the main benefits we have:

• A shinier coat.
• Reduction of feces (reduced by 70%)
• The skin begins to feel more nourished.
• Increase in energy and vitality.
• More stable weight, since you won't eat anything you shouldn't.
• Healthier teeth as there are no flour residues left on the gums (as happens with dry food). Tartar appears less and bad breath is reduced.
• Thanks to the natural nutrients found in unprocessed food, your body will benefit from natural chondroprotectors that help strengthen your joints.
• Aids digestion. Lighter digestion
• There will be a lower water intake since they do not have to drink large amounts because natural products already contain it.
• Improves your muscle, eye, bone, and cardiovascular health.
• Boosts the immune system.
• The nutrients in food have an anti-aging effect.
• Due to the natural components, they strengthen the bones.

It's necessary to transition to natural food. Imagine that your whole life you've been eating a little cookie (which, theoretically, contains all the nutrients in the world) and suddenly you're given a steak with a salad. Your stomach won't know how to digest it. The same happens with animals, they have to learn to digest raw foods gradually. That's why we always recommend starting with cooked food. The adaptation is much quicker.

You offer both cooked and raw natural food. In what situations is one recommended over the other? Or is it about combining them?

When a dog switches from kibble to natural food, we recommend cooked feeding. The transition is much easier. Once the change is made, the dog has already completed the 'kibble elimination' from its body. If you want to switch to raw feeding, it should be done gradually to get their stomachs used to digesting raw meats.

We want to make it very clear that raw feeding is NOT suitable for everyone: people and dogs. Some due to lack of knowledge and/or common sense and others because they may not be able to assimilate raw foods (not having the enzymes ready/accustomed), which can cause diarrhea or even a lack of appetite for raw food.

With these premises clear, we can feed only raw, only cooked, or alternate both. The point is that the moment of feeding them stops being an ordeal and becomes a joy for the whole family

Do the customers create their dogs' menus or do you advise them?

We have clients of many kinds. From the person who is very knowledgeable and knows exactly what they want. There are others who are eager to improve their diet, but don't know where to start... and, moreover, we are increasingly getting more clients referred by veterinarians. (And we are extremely pleased, of course!)

A proposal that arises with the intention of promoting healthy eating among dogs and cats, with which Pallol continues to grow and expand its range of new places of interest in the Reus Shopping Center.