Every cat owner knows the look. You buy a bag of premium, organic, top-tier food, pour it into the bowl with love, and your cat sniffs it once before walking away with absolute disdain.
I’ve been there more times than I can count.
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As a dad with two kids and a busy household, I don’t have time for mealtime drama with our pets. That’s why I finally caved and tried INABA Churu Cat Treats. If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen these squeezable tubes—people joke that it’s “Kitty Crack,” and frankly, they aren’t wrong.
I grabbed the Tuna & Chicken Variety Pack (50 count) to see if it lived up to the hype. Here is my honest, personal take on whether these puree treats are worth the buzz.
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The Family Experience: Building the Bond
The biggest selling point for me wasn’t actually the nutrition (though I’ll get to that); it was the interaction.
I have an 8-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. They love our cat, but let’s be honest—cats aren’t always the most affectionate creatures. They don’t always want to be held or played with.
Churu changed the dynamic completely. Because these are squeezable tubes designed to be hand-fed, it forces an interaction. The first time I gave a tube to my daughter to feed the cat, the change was instant. Instead of running away, our cat sat patiently, purring loudly, licking the puree as my daughter squeezed it out. She was giggling, the cat was happy, and my 10-year-old immediately asked, “Can I do the next one?”
For me, seeing my kids connect with our pet like that is priceless. It turns “giving a treat” into a bonding activity rather than just tossing a biscuit on the floor.
The “Pill Time” Miracle
If you take nothing else away from this review, let it be this: This stuff is a lifesaver for giving medication.
Our cat is a nightmare when it comes to taking pills. We’ve tried the “pry the jaw open” method, the “hide it in cheese” method—you name it. It usually ends with me having a scratched hand and the cat spitting the pill out behind the sofa.
With Churu, I discovered a cheat code.
- I squeeze a little bit of the puree onto a plate.
- I crush the pill (or hide the capsule) in the middle.
- I cover it with more puree.
The flavor and aroma of the tuna and chicken are so strong that our cat wolfs it down without ever realizing there was medicine inside. No stress, no claws, no trauma. This benefit alone makes it a staple in our pantry.
The “Boring Kibble” Fixer (Food Topper)
As mentioned, our cat goes through phases of being incredibly picky. When she gets bored of her dry kibble, I don’t want to go out and buy a whole new brand of food.
Instead, I use Churu as a topper. The texture is creamy and moist. I just squeeze half a tube over her dry food and mix it slightly. The strong savory scent encourages her to eat the whole bowl. It’s also a great way to sneak some extra hydration into her diet, which is huge because I always worry she isn’t drinking enough water.
What’s Inside? (The Dad Safety Check)
I’m pretty particular about what comes into our house, whether it’s snacks for the kids or treats for the cat. I checked the label before buying:
- Grain-Free: Huge plus. Cats are obligate carnivores; they don’t need fillers like corn or wheat.
- Vitamin E & Taurine: Essential for their eye health and immune system.
- No Artificial Preservatives: Keeps it clean.
The Verdict: Pros and Cons
The Pros:
- Unbeatable Palatability: I have yet to meet a cat that refuses this.
- Interactive Bonding: It’s really fun for the kids to feed the cat by hand.
- Medication Masking: It turns a stressful chore into a treat.
- Hydration: Excellent for cats who don’t drink much from their water bowl.
The Cons:
- The “Addiction”: I’m not kidding—once your cat knows where you keep these, they will meow at that cupboard. You have to be strong!
- Plastic Waste: Since they are single-serve tubes, there is a bit of plastic waste generated, which is something to keep in mind if you are trying to be eco-friendly.
- Cost: While I won’t list the exact price as it fluctuates, these are definitely a “premium” treat compared to a box of dry biscuits. However, given the quality and the variety pack size, I find the value is there.
Final Thoughts
Are INABA Churu treats worth it? Absolutely.
Whether you are trying to befriend a shy cat, get your kids involved in pet care, or simply need a fail-safe way to get medicine down, these tubes work wonders. We keep the 50-pack jar on top of the fridge now, and it’s become the highlight of our cat’s day (and honestly, kind of fun for us, too).
If you want to spoil your furry friend, this is the way to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions (from One Cat Parent to Another)
Since I started talking about Churu to my friends and neighbors, I get hit with the same few questions. Here is the quick rundown based on my experience and what I’ve read on the packaging.
This is the hardest part—saying “no” to that cute face! While my cat would happily eat five tubes in a row, I try to practice moderation. I usually stick to one tube per day. On days when I use it just as a food topper for her dry kibble, I might only use half a tube in the morning and save the rest for dinner. Remember, treats are meant to be treats, not a meal replacement!
Yes, they are generally safe for kittens once they are weaned and eating solid food. Since Churu is soft and easy to digest, it’s actually a great way to help kittens transition to new textures. However, because their tummies are tiny, you might want to feed just a small squeeze at a time rather than a whole tube.
If the tube is unopened, you can store it anywhere. I keep my jar right in the pantry next to the cat food. However, once you open a tube, if your cat doesn’t finish it (which is rare in my house!), you absolutely need to refrigerate it. I’d recommend using the open tube within 24 hours to keep it fresh.
I always check the sourcing for my family, pets included. INABA is a Japanese brand with a long history, and their products are typically manufactured in Thailand. The big comfort factor for me is that they use human-grade ingredients (no by-products) and dolphin-safe tuna. Knowing exactly what’s going into my cat’s body gives me peace of mind.
You can do both! I mentioned hiding pills earlier, but because Churu is a thick puree, you can easily mix liquid medication into it on a small saucer. The flavor is so potent that it masks the smell of the medicine perfectly. It’s been a game-changer for our vet visits.