After a decade of transforming the U.S. cat treat market with its widely loved Churu® lickable treats, Inaba Foods USA is now expanding its innovation footprint into the dog category with the launch of a new product designed around hydration, convenience, and functional pet nutrition.
The company has officially introduced Churu Terrine™, a high-moisture, soft-textured dog treat, which will be showcased at Global Pet Expo 2026 (Booth #3868), one of the pet industry’s most influential trade events organized by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The launch marks a major milestone in Inaba’s broader U.S. growth strategy, celebrating ten years of category disruption in North America.
According to company leadership, the new product represents both a continuation and an evolution of Inaba’s core philosophy—creating treats that strengthen the bond between pets and their owners while prioritizing health and quality.
“Our intent was always to build a global company that delights families and their pets,” said Yoko Sakugawa, Vice President of Operations at Inaba Foods USA. “While our story in Japan is well known in many households, it is what we are doing today in the U.S. after 10 years that we are most excited to celebrate and share through a year of events, promotions, and activities.”
The company’s entry into the dog treat space follows the massive success of Churu, a tube-style lickable cat treat that reshaped how consumers think about pet snacking. The innovation helped establish a new segment in the pet food industry—one centered on interactive feeding, hydration support, and premium ingredient transparency.
“Churu changed how people think about treating their cats,” explained François de Ginestet, Director of Sales & Marketing at Inaba Foods USA. “With Churu Terrine, we are bringing that same spirit of innovation and quality to the dog category—creating a treat that is convenient, hydrating, and designed for today’s active pet lifestyles, while also supporting meaningful bonding moments between dogs and pet parents.”
Churu Terrine is being positioned as a next-generation functional treat that responds to evolving consumer expectations in the pet care market. Pet owners are increasingly looking for products that go beyond taste alone and offer health benefits, clean ingredients, and usability in everyday routines.
To meet these demands, Terrine features a soft, moisture-rich texture that makes it easy to serve directly from packaging without mess or waste. The portable format is designed for modern pet lifestyles, making it suitable for travel, outdoor activities, training sessions, and on-the-go feeding. This convenience-focused approach is intended to mirror how pets are integrated into increasingly active and mobile human lifestyles.
In addition to its texture and usability, the product includes functional ingredients aimed at digestive health. One of the key components is psyllium seed husk, known for supporting digestion and gut function. The formula is also designed to be low in calories and low in fat, aligning with growing demand for healthier treat options that can be used more frequently without contributing to overfeeding concerns.
The product will launch with a wide range of flavor profiles to appeal to diverse canine preferences. The initial lineup includes:
Chicken Recipe
Chicken Recipe with Beef
Chicken Recipe with Cheese
Chicken Recipe with Peanut Butter Flavor
Pumpkin Recipe
Sweet Potato Recipe
Salmon Recipe
Salmon Recipe with Tuna
This variety reflects Inaba’s strategy of combining familiar proteins with pet-friendly flavor enhancements, while also incorporating ingredients like pumpkin and sweet potato that are widely associated with digestive and nutritional benefits.
Churu Terrine will also be available in multiple portion sizes to accommodate different dog breeds and usage occasions. The packaging formats include:
Small – 0.53 oz
Medium – 1.05 oz
Large – 1.90 oz
This tiered sizing approach allows pet owners and retailers to tailor purchases based on dog size, feeding habits, and use case—whether as a training reward, a meal topper, or a standalone treat.
At Global Pet Expo, Inaba will highlight its decade-long transformation in the U.S. market, culminating in the introduction of Terrine. The booth experience will focus on product education, innovation storytelling, and direct engagement with retailers, distributors, and industry influencers.
“It is special to unveil Terrine at Global Pet Expo 2026 because the show floor is known as the home to the biggest brands, most in-demand influencers, and the most savvy retailers connecting pet families to the products they love,” said Stephanie Lundell, Director of Sales at Inaba Foods USA. “We are thrilled to add Terrine to the show’s lineup and look forward to sharing the significance of this moment for our company in the U.S. market.”
Inaba’s evolution in the pet treat category has been defined by a consistent focus on innovation, particularly in formats that enhance interaction between pets and owners. With Churu Terrine, the company is extending that legacy into the rapidly growing dog treat segment, where demand for functional, convenient, and premium-quality products continues to rise.
As the pet industry becomes more health-conscious and experience-driven, products like Terrine reflect a broader shift toward treats that combine enjoyment with nutritional value. By emphasizing hydration, digestive support, portability, and clean formulation, Inaba is positioning itself to compete in the next phase of premium pet nutrition.
Churu Terrine is expected to officially launch in June 2026, following its preview at Global Pet Expo. The company anticipates strong retailer interest as it introduces the product into the U.S. market, building on the established success of its cat treat innovations while expanding into new growth opportunities in the dog category.
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