KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Awesome Pawsome is a homegrown pet food and pet care company that was started last year by former colleagues Vivian Lee and Jill Liong who share a mutual love for animals.

Both girls grew up with dogs in their houses. Growing up in Kelantan, Lee would often rescue lost puppies and practise “trap-neuter-release” for strays. Initially the pet food venture started out more as a rescue mission for Lee’s West Highland White, Hippo. “The story of how Awesome Pawsome started was that Hippo had a skin allergy even as a puppy. He’s a happy puppy but because of his skin allergy he had to have antibiotics. The vet advised that it could be his diet so I tried cooking for him instead of buying commercial pet food.”

She did a lot of research and development to find healthier options so Hippo can be cured. Based on what she learned, dog food that has chicken flavour does not mean that the food is made of chicken entirely but of unwanted parts like the head or even the feathers. Lamb or salmon are better alternatives instead.

All of Awesome Pawsome’s pet food is free from preservatives and artificial ingredients (left). Hobbes’ skin issues healed after he started eating Awesome Pawsome’s pet food (right).
All of Awesome Pawsome’s pet food is free from preservatives and artificial ingredients (left). Hobbes’ skin issues healed after he started eating Awesome Pawsome’s pet food (right).

Ever since Liong’s dog died, she takes care of Hobbes, an adorable 13-year old Shih Tzu that belongs to her in-laws. “Hobbes also had skin issues and it took him four years before he was fully healed,” said Liong. At his advanced age, Hobbes also has difficulties chewing food, hence the need for a special diet.

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Slowly, by feeding Hippo and Hobbes real food, their conditions improved and they are now back to their happy selves. Their personal experience made the duo realise that this could be turned into a business venture since many pet owners are willing to buy real pet food free from chemicals but which offers a balanced nutrition, all for the love and well-being of their “furkids.” Originally, it started out as a part-time venture that saw the two of them selling their product at bazaars. It was only this March that they decided to make it official by registering their start-up as a company.

Awesome Pawsome offers a variety of treats and dehydrated jerkies made from salmon, chicken or even pumpkin. They promise items made from all-natural ingredients like oats, flax seeds, coconut oil and chia seeds. Their products are also wheat-free with no added sugar, salt or artificial colouring. Awesome Pawsome pet food uses human-grade salmon and chicken so you can also nibble on the same treats that you feed your pets, if you wish.

Awesome Pawsome’s Kunyit Chicken jerky is a favourite of Vivian’s cat Monster.
Awesome Pawsome’s Kunyit Chicken jerky is a favourite of Vivian’s cat Monster.

There is a wide variety of flavours, such as Bacon and Cheese, Super Omega, The Good Ol’ Peanut Butter, Choco Banana, Honey Chicken, Kunyit Chicken and Cheese Chicken Stick. According to the co-founders of Awesome Pawsome, some pets may be allergic to meat so there are vegetarian options such as the Dehydrated Pumpkin flavour which was recently introduced. You can also pick up seasonal specials like dog-friendly mooncakes made with sweet potatoes and Ginger Bread Man treats for Christmas.

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Keep your pets happy and fragrant with Awesome Pawsome’s pet care range that is made from essential oils and floral water.
Keep your pets happy and fragrant with Awesome Pawsome’s pet care range that is made from essential oils and floral water.

Aside from their food offerings, Awesome Pawsome also carries a pet care range. This includes their Anti-Fleas spray and Peace and Calming spray which is made from aromatherapy grade ingredients like essential oils and floral water. Awesome Pawsome even recommends this for animals with sensitive skin, as they have tested it on their own pets. The Anti-Fleas spray has improved the skin allergies that Hobbes and Hippo suffered from as well. Also, they smell better with the Peace and Calming spray. It is like a form of natural perfume for dogs. It doesn’t harm their skin and you can even use it on yourself!

The Bacon and Cheese treat is one of their bestsellers.
The Bacon and Cheese treat is one of their bestsellers.

The best-selling flavour for their pet treats is Bacon and Cheese which is made from bacon and cottage cheese because sometimes, it is the dog owner’s preference! Whatever flavours that appeal to the dog owners, they would choose it for their dogs.

Cats are also not forgotten as Awesome Pawsome’s dehydrated treats will also suit fussy felines. Awesome Pawsome recommends treats that are made from dehydrated chicken meat like Chicken Cheese, Honey Chicken and Kunyit Chicken. For example, Lee’s rescue cat Monster enjoys the Kunyit Chicken. When Monster was rescued, he was a little kitten that probably hadn’t been weaned off his mother’s milk. So, Lee did everything she could to nourish him and take good care of him. Now, his fur has a glossy sheen to it and he looks like a pure bred cat instead of an abandoned stray.

Their Choco Banana treats contain carob since chocolate is poisonous for pets.
Their Choco Banana treats contain carob since chocolate is poisonous for pets.

Contrary to its name, the Choco Banana treats do not actually contain any chocolate since it is poisonous to cats and dogs. Instead, it contains carob, an alternative to chocolate which is safe for pets. The Good Ol’ Peanut Butter flavour is sugarless and is made from real peanuts. There are different sizes — 70 grammes and 200 grammes — available with prices ranging from RM10 to RM28. The jerkies are baked using a dehydrator, so they retain the nutrients in the food.

The shelf life of Awesome Pawsome treats are three to six months because there are no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Hippo, Monster and Hobbes as well as many other dogs and cats have tried and tested the products, making sure both “furkids” and their parents satisfied.

Their Good Old Peanut Butter treats are sugar free and made from real peanuts (left). Chicken Cheese Stick is made from fresh chicken and Cheddar cheese (right).
Their Good Old Peanut Butter treats are sugar free and made from real peanuts (left). Chicken Cheese Stick is made from fresh chicken and Cheddar cheese (right).

If you spend RM80 and above, you get free delivery nationwide. “We have different sizes of dog treats for small dogs and big dogs. There are also options for older dogs like Hobbes that have chewing issues. If the dog treat is too hard and crumbly, he might find it hard to eat. He grew up eating kibbles but now, after cooking food for him he is much healthier,” said Liong.

The Honey Chicken jerky is made by dehydrating chicken meat mixed with pure natural honey.
The Honey Chicken jerky is made by dehydrating chicken meat mixed with pure natural honey.

Recently, Awesome Pawsome introduced new flavours, like their Sweet Potato treats and Honey Porky jerky. They will also be introducing their baked Chicken Meatloaf and Beef Meatloaf. Awesome Pawsome is also coming up with more main courses for dogs in the future, and expanding beyond treats.

Lee and Liong hope to bring more awareness to pet owners in Malaysia about healthy pet food. There are plans to expand to a production place as well as widen the distribution network.

Lee who also has attended pet grooming classes will be conducting a workshop for dog owners. The Dog Owner 101 Workshop will be held on August 7 to educate dog owners about the correct way to perform basic care and grooming for dogs in between visits to the groomers. You can sign up for the event by accessing the link here: https://www.facebook.com/events/287353428281988/

Shop for Awesome Pawsome’s pet products at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/myawesomepawsome
Instagram: www.instagram.com/awesome.pawsome_my
Shopify: http://my-awesome-pawsome.myshopify.com/