In 2021, Tiana – who runs her own pet business, Manjapot – dedicated her end-of-year school holidays to researching the best recipes online and consulting experts on optimal ingredient formulations and preparation methods.
“When my first cat, Coraline, was about to turn one, I noticed there were pet cakes available, but I wasn’t satisfied with the ingredients – they often had sugar on top and included sprinkles, which are unhealthy,” the 19-year-old told Bernama.
Coraline, she added, played a crucial role in her experiments over several months as she sought to discover which food items would most appeal to her feline friend.
“During my experiments, I used different types of meat to see which one she preferred,” Tiana explained.
Today, she regularly creates pet cakes – which are vibrant and adorable to look at – for her human clients, whose furry companions include dogs as well as cats. She also offers cake-decorating workshops every so often.
In addition to squid, fresh chicken and raw fish, she incorporates vegetables such broccoli and carrots into her cakes, enhancing their nutritional value for pets.
She pointed out, however, that her cakes – which are coated with unsalted cream cheese – are not intended as a pet’s main meal; it is classified as a snack, akin to treats.
“It’s perfectly fine to serve the cake over a few days, but don’t order a cake every week and feed it to them daily,” she said, pointing out that pets prefer variety.
She also advises against offering the cakes to pets that are on special diets, as sudden changes in their food could negatively impact their digestive systems.
Tiana, whose customers come from as far as Singapore, shared that it takes her at least two hours to complete each custom cake. While it can get tiring, the positive feedback she receives from her clients motivates her to keep generating creative ideas.
“Once, a customer wanted her dog to look like Godzilla because he always bit furniture and liked to make a mess. So, I created a cake shaped like an island with a Godzilla-like dog in the middle and added broken buildings as if they were on fire.
“My customer loved the idea,” she said proudly, noting that she always does her best to fulfil her clients’ requests.
Her cakes, priced between RM100 to RM200 depending on the size and type of meat used, are typically ordered for special occasions such as birthdays or to celebrate pets that have been neutered.
“It seems to be becoming a trend to make a bigger deal out of pet birthdays, as there’s a niche group of owners who are willing to go all out for their pets. Previously, they might have just given their dog a bone or some treats on their birthday or for a special occasion; now, however, it’s more common for people to celebrate with cakes.
“Some even buy gifts for their pets, hang up banners, and purchase clothes, all of which contribute to the idea of pet humanisation,” she observed.
Tiana acknowledges the challenges she faces in managing her business. But the fighting spirit she inherited from her parents, both of whom are entrepreneurs, keeps her strong and determined.
“I’ve always loved doing business. When I was younger, I often started ‘mini businesses’, like selling slime when I was 13 and making cookies,” she recalled with a laugh.
“It came naturally to me because of my parents; I’ve watched them start various businesses throughout my life. While some failed, many succeeded, so I’ve never been afraid to try,” she concluded.
Follow Manjapot on Instagram.
Manjapot
2.88 Level 2, Summit USJ Mall,
USJ 1, 46500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor
Business hours:
- Thursdays-Sundays, 11am-7pm
- Mondays-Wednesdays (by appointment only)