Whiskas is a brand of cat food sold throughout the world. It is owned by Masterfoods, part of Mars, Incorporated. It is available either as meat pieces in cans, pouches or dry biscuits.Whiskas is made in Melton Mowbray in the UK by the company formerly known as Pedigree Pet Foods. There is a research site at Waltham-on-the-Wolds, England, close by.The well-known advertising slogan for Whiskas was eight out of ten owners say that their cat prefers it. The slogan has been much imitated - in the 1980s Red Stripe Lager was advertised with the slogan "9 out of 10 cats prefer it", a play on "cat" meaning a trendy person. "8 Out of 10 Cats" is also the title of a British TV panel game.Whiskas was originally known as Kal Kan when it started in 1936. In 1988, the company changed its name to Whiskas in order to promote its cat food internationally.In 1998, Australian rules footballer Garry Hocking changed his name by deed poll to "Whiskas" as part of the Geelong Cats' promotion with the company. It was the first such publicity stunt of its kind.On Wednesday, 27 January 1999, Whiskas singles aired the very first "commercial for cats" on British TV. The VHS release featured a small segment on how the advert worked, and showed several cats reactions. The advert itself was a collection of clips with contrasting colours, fish and video captured from underwater. The end of the video (before fading out and then running again) claimed that 'In our tests, 8 out of 10 preferred it', a previously mentioned slogan for the company.