Excel K9 Kafe'

In 2004, Reneé Cintas had a sick dog and had tried everything for over a year — vet visits, medications, conventional treatments — and nothing worked. It was down to exploratory surgery as a last resort. Then Reneé switched to a raw food diet. The condition that had stumped everyone cleared up in 48 hours. That dramatic turnaround did not just change her dog’s life; it launched a business built on the belief that what animals eat matters more than most people realize.

From Kitchen to Kafe

Reneé began preparing raw food at home, and friends with pets quickly took notice. What started as a favor turned into real demand, growing from a handful of dog owners into a full-fledged operation, first with a storefront in Jackson, then its current location on Church Street in Sutter Creek. The Kafe now manufactures several thousand pounds of its signature Excel K-9 raw complete diet every month — a state-licensed formula made from lean meats, organ meats, ground bone or eggshell, seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, kelp, alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, and salmon oil. No grains, no starches, no coloring, no preservatives. The company also delivers to multiple locations around the region, and they have been developing an organic raw cat diet pending California state approval.

As Reneé has put it, “I’m not looking to be the next Purina. For us, it is about the welfare of the animals.” That philosophy shows in every part of the operation.

More Than Raw Food

The shop carries far more than the house-made diet. Quality kibble, frozen and freeze-dried foods, treats, bones, toys, leashes, and dietary supplements fill the shelves. Specialty formulas for dogs with conditions like pancreatitis are available, and the staff brings genuine expertise in animal nutrition — they are happy to talk through dietary options for pets at any life stage. Dogs and cats are welcome inside, which makes the Kafe a regular stop for pets and their people out for a stroll through Sutter Creek.