How Do You Like Meow? Cat Food Naming with Personality

We at Zinzin love naming. And cats. Have I ever paws-ed to mention that?

I figure now is a good time to admit our fondness for felines, because this post takes a closer look at cat food naming.

Cat food names have come a long way. These days, one cat’s “chicken paté” is another’s “Cattyshack,” evidenced by one brand, in particular. Let’s explore how the pet food company, Weruva, branched out in a playful direction with product naming.

Why Is Product Naming So Important?

First, let’s touch on why a great product name is important to any brand.

In today’s hyper competitive world, every name of every product competes for the attention of increasingly brand-fatigued consumers exposed to hundreds of brands and messages every day.

However, a brand has the opportunity to cut through the clutter with a memorable product name—a name that differentiates itself from everything else in the marketplace. Ideally, it makes people stop, even for a few seconds, to think about it and want to know more.

The goal is to connect with the target audience on an emotional level by speaking to their values and personality. That emotional connection is known to translate into brand trust and loyalty.

Speaking as a Cat Mama

It’s easy to see why it’s especially important for a cat food name to make an emotional connection. For many of us, a cat (or any pet) is a part of the family. He or she has its own personality and quirks bundled in furry adorableness.

You want to feel like a cat food brand “gets you” and your cat—that they understand the bond that exists, and, of course, the fact that your cat’s health and wellbeing is important.

Weruva’s Cat Food Names

For the reasons above, I think Weruva’s line of cat food names is noteworthy. They make you feel like you’re part of the family—laughing, joking, chatting in the kitchen, talking with kids.

Many of the names are casual, conversational, or slang (Booya!). Some are loveable nicknames (Sweet Cheeks), while others are puns based on movies of a particular generation (Meowiss Bueller).

There’s also a variety pack featuring famous TV game shows (also most familiar to a specific generation). Meal of Fortune, anyone?

BFF Best Feline Friend (Brand Name of Product Line)

Cats in the Kitchen (Brand Name of Product Line)

The Showcase Chowdown (Brand Name of Variety Pack)

A Note about the Company Name

Weruva is an invented name that combines the first two letters of the founding couple’s three rescued cats: Webster, Rudi, and Vanessa.

To make even more of a connection with customers, Weruva co-founder, Stacie Forman, wrote a 2024 blog post about Webster, Rudi and Vanessa: The Three Cats Who Started it All. (6-min read).  Here’s how it begins:

Today, I’m excited to share a special story with you—the beginning of Weruva. This story is filled with love, dedication, and a commitment to making the best food for our furry family members. We’re not just talking about pet food today; we’re sharing our soul, a story of passion that beats in every can, pouch, cup, and bag we make! Prepare to be captivated as we share the inspiration behind our name. A name not randomly chosen but inspired by three special cats: Webster, Rudi, and Vanessa.

Their names and spirits are at the heart of Weruva, and to this day, they motivate us to make great food for pets everywhere. They also promote something near and dear to our hearts: how important rescues and adoptions are. Let’s dive into this heartwarming story.

Together with product names, this blog post is an example of how different types of marketing communication support Weruva’s brand positioning.

Parting Thoughts

Zinzin is a cat-loving naming agency, and I’m purr-oud to admit it.

I think Weruva continues to build a strong brand by choosing product names that support its brand positioning.

It does a great job speaking to its core audience by choosing product names that let its brand personality shine. It shows a confidence, playfulness, and authentic understanding of pet owners.

Weruva isn’t afraid to differentiate itself in a crowded market and capture the attention of cat lovers of all ages.

It goes to show that with the right naming knowledge and cat-itude, anything is paws-ible.

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For more fun with puns, see Zinzin’s blog post: No Pun Intended (Pun Always Intended)