Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but there's certainly no shortage of big ideas and passionate people! At Rumford Pet, we love supporting fellow small businesses, especially when they're creating unique products for our four-legged friends.

Two local brands that have found their way onto our shelves are Buppy Pets and Chew’Ems. While one specializes in tasty, simple-ingredient treats and the other brings clever engineering to dog chews, both share something special: a love for dogs and a passion for creating products they can feel proud of.

We had the opportunity to chat with the people behind these Rhode Island businesses to learn a little more about their stories, their products, and what being a small business means to them!

Buppy Pets: A Little Dog With a Big Legacy

Sometimes, the biggest ideas are inspired by our smallest family members. For Buppy Pets, that inspiration came from a very special dog named Maui.

As Laruen Ruggiero, the founder of Buppy Pets, began paying closer attention to the ingredients in her own food, she started questioning what was going into Maui's treats, too. Long ingredient lists, unnecessary additives, and unfamiliar preservatives left her wondering why the food we give our pets couldn't be just as thoughtfully made as the food we choose for ourselves.

Then came an unexpected lightbulb moment! While visiting a friend, she watched as the family's dog left a treat on the floor. When a toddler reached to pick it up, the child's mother quickly intervened, explaining that it wasn't something the child should eat.

That moment sparked a simple but important question:

"Why shouldn’t the food we give our dogs be as wholesome and thoughtfully made as the food we give the rest of our family?"

And just like that, the idea for Buppy Pets began to take shape!

After months of experimenting with recipes and recruiting plenty of taste testers, Buppy Pets launched with a mission to make treating simple, fun, and delicious.

Today, their treats are made with just four recognizable ingredients that you might already have in your own pantry. They're even crafted in a human grade kitchen! 

If some of their treats remind you of familiar childhood snacks, that's intentional! Buppy Pets draws inspiration from classics like pizza-flavored Goldfish crackers, giving dogs their own versions of some familiar favorites. My dogs personal favorite is the pizza treats!

But at the heart of the company is still Maui, affectionately nicknamed "Buppy," who inspired it all. Although Maui passed away in November 2023 at nearly 18 years old, her memory continues to shape the brand's mission.

What began as one person's desire to make better treats for her own dog has grown into a way to celebrate the special bond between pets and their people.

Chew’Ems: Where Innovation Meets a Love for Dogs

Who knew so much thought could go into a dog chew?

For the family behind Chew’Ems, creating a great chew is about much more than giving dogs something to gnaw on. It's about combining generations of manufacturing experience with a genuine love for our canine companions.

Chew’Ems comes from a third-generation, family-owned Rhode Island manufacturing company with a background in product development and manufacturing. With three dogs of their own at home, the family saw an opportunity to bring something new to the world of dog chews.

Rather than outsourcing production, they wanted to do something that's becoming increasingly uncommon: design, manufacture, and ship their products entirely from their own Rhode Island facility.

That means the Chew’Ems team is involved in every step of the process, from the first idea to the finished product.

As they explained to us:

"I think most people would be surprised by how much engineering can go into something as simple as a dog chew."

And they're right! When we think about dog chews, we don't always consider the science and engineering behind them.

The Chew’Ems team spends time developing the materials, shapes, textures, and ingredients that go into their products, including options infused with vitamins, minerals, and CBD. Their CBD infused chews are great for anxious chewers as it’ll satisfy the chewing cravings but also ease their anxiety with the CBD! 

Of course, no dog product development process would be complete without some very important testers. Their own pack of three dogs gets to try out their creations first!

Because Chew’Ems handles its own manufacturing, the team can continually refine its products and respond directly to feedback from pet parents and retailers.

It's a combination of innovation, hands-on craftsmanship, and a whole lot of love for dogs, all happening right here in the Ocean State.

Different Products, Shared Passion

At first glance, Buppy Pets and Chew’Ems might seem like two very different businesses. One is whipping up tasty treats with simple ingredients, while the other is putting generations of manufacturing knowledge to work creating innovative chews.

But look a little closer, and you'll find that these brands have quite a bit in common!

Both businesses started with people who looked at the pet products already available and wondered, could we do something differently?

For Buppy Pets, that meant simplifying ingredients and reimagining what goes into a dog treat. For Chew’Ems, it meant using engineering and hands-on manufacturing to rethink the everyday dog chew. 

Most importantly, both businesses were inspired by their own dogs. Their products aren't just something they make and sell; they're something they originally wanted for the pets waiting for them at home.

And we think that's pretty special.

Small Businesses Supporting Small Businesses

There's something special about shopping small. Behind every independent business are real people with their own stories, ideas, and connections to the community.

For Buppy Pets, being a small business means getting to know the families who welcome their treats into their homes. From celebrating the arrival of a new puppy to personalizing packages for longtime customers, they've become part of some pretty meaningful moments in their customers' lives.

It also means being there through the harder moments, sharing in the heartbreak when a beloved pet crosses the rainbow bridge.

As the founder shared, being welcomed into the lives of so many pets and their families is something she feels genuinely honored by.

For Chew’Ems, being a local business means carrying on three generations of Rhode Island manufacturing while staying connected to the people who use and sell their products.

Their team values the ability to listen directly to customers, hear feedback from independent retailers, and continue improving what they create.

They also shared a sentiment that really resonates with us here at Rumford Pet:

"Small businesses supporting other small businesses is what keeps local communities strong."

We couldn't agree more!

When you shop at Rumford Pet and pick up something from Buppy Pets or Chew’Ems, you're doing more than bringing home something special for your pup. You're supporting local entrepreneurs, family businesses, and the people working hard to bring their ideas to life.

It's a small choice that can make a big difference!

Treat Local, Love Local!

Whether your pup prefers a tasty snack or loves settling in with a good chew, Buppy Pets and Chew’Ems offer two different ways to spoil your best friend while showing a little love to Rhode Island businesses.

We love getting to share the stories behind the products on our shelves, because every small business has a story worth telling.

So next time you're browsing the aisles at Rumford Pet, keep an eye out for these two local favorites!

Your dog might not know they're supporting locals, but we're pretty sure they'll appreciate the treats!