Buddy Bites

Buddy Bites is a Hong Kong-based pet food company operating on a direct-to-consumer, subscription-based model. Founded in 2020 by British expatriates and friends Ryan Black and Chris Lee, the company emerged from a simple observation of the inconvenience of buying and stocking large bags of dog food in a fast-paced city like Hong Kong. The founders, who did not have prior experience in the pet food industry, combined their respective backgrounds—Black in commercial property with an MBA and Lee in financial services—to identify a market gap for subscription services in the region. The business concept was born out of a conversation where Black, fresh off his MBA and looking for a D2C opportunity, noticed the hassle his friend Lee went through to store dog food.

The company's business model is centered on convenience and social responsibility. Buddy Bites offers scheduled, recurring deliveries of its own branded kibble directly to customers' doors, aiming to eliminate the last-minute rush to the store. A core pillar of the company's identity is its philanthropic mission: for every two kilograms of dog food sold, one kilogram is donated to local dog shelters. This initiative was inspired by the founders' shared love for dogs, having both adopted rescue animals themselves. Since its launch, the company has donated millions of meals to shelter dogs.

Buddy Bites' product line consists of veterinarian-formulated dry dog food produced in Europe, ensuring compliance with high regulatory standards like those from the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The recipes are developed with Hong Kong veterinarians and feature various protein sources like duck, lamb, and salmon to cater to different needs, including those of puppies and adult dogs. The product range also includes dental sticks and training treats. The direct-to-consumer approach allows the company to gather immediate customer feedback to refine its products and services. Initially launched in Hong Kong, the company has expanded its operations to Singapore and the United Kingdom. In April 2025, Buddy Bites announced it had raised US$1 million in a seed funding round, with investors including Leap Venture Studio, an accelerator from Mars Petcare, to fuel further expansion into markets like Taiwan.

Keywords: dog food subscription, direct-to-consumer pet food, Hong Kong startup, pet food delivery, social enterprise, canine nutrition, premium kibble, pet tech, Ryan Black, Chris Lee, shelter donation program, European dog food, vet-formulated, pet care, online pet supplies, Asian pet market, UK pet food, Singapore pet food, Buddy Bites, animal welfare