Whiskas facts for kids
Logo for the brand
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| Industry | Cat food |
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| Founded | 1936 (as Kal Kan) McLean, Virginia, United States |
| Parent | Mars, Incorporated |
Whiskas is a well-known brand of cat food that is sold all over the world. It used to be called Kal Kan. The American company Mars owns the brand.
Whiskas cat food comes in different forms. You can find small meaty pieces in sauce, gravy, or jelly. These are sold in tins, foil trays, or pouches. There are also small dry biscuits sold in cartons or pouches. Whiskas even sells milk in small bottles for cats. The packaging for Whiskas is easy to spot because it is a bright purple color. Its logo shows a simple picture of a cat's head.
Contents
The Story of Whiskas: How it Began
Whiskas first started making pet food in 1936. Back then, it was known as Kal Kan. The company's main office was near Los Angeles, California. Over time, Kal Kan grew and sold its products across the United States.
In 1958, the company brought its cat food to the United Kingdom. In the UK, it was called Whiskas. This name was later used in other parts of Europe too.
Becoming Part of Mars Inc.
In 1968, a big company called Mars Inc. bought Kal Kan. Kal Kan then became a part of Petfoods Ltd, which later changed its name to Pedigree Petfoods.
Why the Name Changed to Whiskas
In 1989, Kal Kan in the U.S. changed its name to Whiskas. This was done to make the brand name the same all over the world. It also helped to make advertising campaigns the same everywhere. Before 1989, Kal Kan's dry cat food was sold under a different name, Crave.
Even though many people in the United States knew the Kal Kan name, "Whiskas" was thought to be a more friendly and "cat-like" name. In the United States, Whiskas cat food is made in McLean, Virginia, by Pedigree Petfoods.
Whiskas Advertising and Slogans
Whiskas is famous for its advertisements and catchy slogans. These are phrases that help people remember the brand.
Popular Slogans in the UK
In the United Kingdom, a very famous advertising slogan for Whiskas was "8 out of 10 cats prefer Whiskas." This slogan later changed to "eight out of 10 owners said their cat prefers it."
After someone complained to the Advertising Standards Authority, the slogan was changed again. It became "eight out of 10 owners who expressed a preference said their cat prefers it." A British TV show called 8 Out of 10 Cats even got its name from this famous slogan. Other companies have also used similar phrases in their ads.
A Footballer Named Whiskas?
In 1999, an Australian rules football player named Garry Hocking legally changed his name to "Whiskas." This was part of a special promotion with the company for his football club, Geelong. It was the first time such a publicity stunt had ever happened.
The First Commercial for Cats
On June 3, 1999, Whiskas aired what they called "the very first commercial for cats" on American television. This ad was made especially for cats to watch!
The commercial showed different clips with bright colors, fish, and underwater scenes. At the end of the video, it claimed that "In our tests, 8 out of 10 preferred it." A special video release even showed how the ad worked and how cats reacted to it.
Whiskas Slogans Around the World
Whiskas uses similar slogans in many countries. In Hungary, the slogan means "Cats would buy Whiskas (if they could)." This same idea is used in Serbia, Germany, Austria, Finland, France, and many other countries.
In Sweden, the slogan means "Whiskas – If the cat itself gets to choose." In Russia, the slogan means "Your kitty would buy Whiskas," and it even rhymes in Russian! In Italian-speaking countries, the slogan "cats would buy Whiskas" has been used for a long time.
In 2009, Whiskas gave out feeding dishes to the first 1,000 people who signed up for their menu planner.
See also
In Spanish: Whiskas para niños
