By D R Tejas, Co-founder & CEO
Losing a pet is one of the hardest things a family can go through. For me, it was my Golden Retriever, Goldie, and my Blue and Gold Macaw, Blu.
I was very young when Goldie passed away, around 14 or 15 years old. She had been diagnosed with liver failure, and we did everything we could to keep her with us longer. After she passed away, I remember discussing with my parents what we could have done right. We took her to the vet on time, she had plenty of exercises and even had the entire terrace to herself to soak up the sun. Where did we go wrong, then?
Even as a child, I could tell that maybe what we fed her wasn’t right. We mostly gave her whatever we used to eat—she was a family member, after all. Her favorite foods were idli, mangoes, and bananas—not together, obviously. What a funny little dog she was.
We also knew that what we fed her wouldn’t be everything she required, so we gave her a fistful of the best kibble we could get to make up for the nutrition. Little did we know that this so-called “nutrition” came with fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that harmed her liver over a long period of time—but we didn’t have better options, especially since I came from a vegetarian family.
When I first met Aman, my co-founder, I was surprised to learn that he had a similar story too. His German Shepherd, Shaggy, was fed chapati and milk at home—a common yet unsuitable diet. Sadly, Shaggy developed hip dysplasia and passed away, leaving Aman with the same pain and unanswered questions about how we care for our pets.
Our journey began during the second wave of COVID-19 when the challenges faced by pet parents in India became painfully visible. Families were separated from their pets, and were struggling to ensure proper care in the uncertainty of the pandemic. We stepped in to help—relocating pets for affected families, finding temporary foster homes, and connecting pet parents with vets for urgent care.
The more we worked to address these issues, the more we realized that feeding pets right was a universal struggle that was magnified because of the pandemic. From the lack of proper options to the widespread confusion about nutrition, it became clear that diet was at the heart of so many problems. This understanding and realization became the foundation of everything we would do next.
It led to the creation of Dino Whole Foods—Our mission to give pets the wholesome, preservative-free meals they deserve. Over time, we have fed over 1 lakh meals to dogs across India, offering 100% Natural recipes that prioritize health, taste, and convenience.
But Dino’s impact isn’t just about the bowls we fill. It’s about the extra years and joy we bring to families with their dogs. Every meal we provide is a step towards healthier, happier pets and the lifelong memories they create with their families.
Studies show that commercial pet food can reduce a dog’s lifespan by up to 3 years compared to whole, fresh food. At Dino, we aim to change that. Our vision is to be every pet parent's trusted partner, ensuring pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
From the heartbreak of losing our own pets to building Dino Whole Foods, this journey has been driven by love—for pets, for health, and for family.
P.S. Check out what our parent company is called—it’s a heartfelt tribute to Blu.
