Our Story
Welcome to The Astute Dog!
We're Ulysees and Catrina, the husband-and-wife founders of The Astute Dog, a family-owned brand based in sunny Florida. Along with our two teenagers and three very spoiled pups Coco, Bentley, and Skye. The Astute Dog is more than just a business to us. It's a mission that started with a scary experience involving one of our very own.
It All Started With Coco
Our sweet Chiweenie is one of the reasons The Astute Dog exists today.
One day, we gave Coco a new treat, thinking we were giving her something she'd enjoy. Unfortunately, that treat made her sick. Like any concerned dog parent, we took her to the veterinarian, where it was confirmed that the treat was the cause.
When Catrina took a closer look at the ingredient label, she noticed something troubling. Several ingredients had names she didn't recognize. It was a moment that changed the way we looked at what we were feeding our dogs.
We began asking ourselves a simple question: If we don't recognize what's in our dogs' treats, how do we know what we're really giving them?
That experience sparked something bigger than we ever imagined.
We made it our mission to become more intentional about the treats we give our dogs and to help other pet parents do the same. We wanted to encourage families to turn those packages around, read the labels, ask questions, and understand the ingredients they're giving their dogs.
And from that passion, The Astute Dog was born.
A Family Business
Around here, family means everything, and that includes our dogs!
Coco, Bentley, and Skye aren't just our pets. They're part of our everyday lives.
Our two teenagers are also part of the fun. Whether they're helping with the business or finding another reason to spoil the pups, The Astute Dog is truly a family affair.
One of our favorite parts of this journey is getting out into the community. We love attending local markets, participating in community events, meeting fellow dog lovers, and, of course, getting to know all the adorable pups who stop by our table!
Those conversations mean so much to us. We genuinely enjoy connecting with our customers, hearing stories about their dogs, and sharing what we've learned about choosing treats made with real, recognizable ingredients.
For us, it's never just about selling a bag of treats. It's about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating a community of pet parents who want the very best for their dogs.
More Than Treats. A Bigger Vision.
While our journey began with premium dog treats made with real ingredients, our vision doesn't stop there.
We're excited about growing The Astute Dog into a brand that supports whole-dog care. In the future, we look forward to introducing thoughtfully selected products that go beyond treat time and support the overall care and well-being of the dogs we all love so much.
We're proud to be a Florida-based family business with the opportunity to connect with dog lovers around the world.
Welcome to Our Pack!
Whether you've met us at a local event, discovered us online, or received your very first bag of Astute Dog treats, we want you to know how much we appreciate you.
Every order, every conversation, every photo you share of your pup, and every kind word means the world to our family.
What started with one little Chiweenie has grown into something we're incredibly passionate about, and we're grateful that we get to share this journey with you.
From our family to yours, thank you for being part of The Astute Dog pack. We're so happy you're here!
Ulysees, Catrina, & Family