Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s annual trade show, isn’t only about fun new pet products: toys, treats, and accessories. Health-related products are showcased here too. Here are some innovations aimed at positively affecting pet wellbeing.
Catwater for Cats with Urinary and Renal Issues
A survey based on 1.35 million medical claims filed with Nationwide pet insurance highlighted that the top reason cats need veterinary treatment is for feline cystitis or lower urinary tract disease, followed by renal disease and kidney failure.
Increased water consumption is key to good feline health. Catwater is a mineral-free, pH-balanced water for cats to help support urinary health. It has been clinically proven to:
- Help increase water consumption in cats.
- Help promote an ideal urinary pH between 6.2 and 6.4 that suits a cat’s needs.
- Reduce mineral content in the urinary tract by up to 50 percent.
- Helps reduce vet visits due to urinary infections and bladder stones.
It can be used in pet fountains with or without filters. It’s available in 4-liter bottles and a 12-pack of 16.9-oz bottles from online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores. www.Catwater.com
5Strands Food and Environmental Intolerance Tests
“A food intolerance is just that — a particular ingredient or food does not agree with the pet’s system,” says Austin Collins, CEO for 5Strands. “Dietary intolerances occur within the body’s digestive system. When our pets lack the digestive enzymes to break down food, that can then manifest in a large variety of symptoms.” Common symptoms include upset stomach, paw biting, constant scratching, hair loss, and head shaking, Collins says.
The 5Strands intolerance test kits are available online. They require taking a few hairs from a pet and sending them in for analysis. It’s a quick and easy way to determine if a food or an environmental issue is troubling a cat or dog.
This makes it easier to read food labels and remove offending environmental products in the home. And it’s great information to share with your veterinarian, who can then determine if your pet has an intolerance to something or a full-blown allergy.
Three tests are available: The General Health Assessment Test covers both food and the environment, testing for more than 275 items; $148. The Pet Food Intolerance Test focuses on commercial pet food diets; $88. A Pet Raw Food Intolerance Test is designed for pet owners who feed their animal a raw diet. Ingredients tested consist of over 300 meats, seafood, bones, fruits, vegetables, oils, and some grains; $98. www.5strands.com
Jax and Cali Paw Balm for Dogs on The Go
This roll-on product is designed for pets with busy lives and offers easy application to keep paw pads, noses, and elbows smooth and moisturized to prevent chapped and cracking skin.
Made with hemp seed oil and shea butter, the formula also has anti-inflammatory properties. $14.95. www.jaxandcali.com
ElleVet Feline Complete Paste for Joint Discomfort and Stress
After stringent long-term studies and comprehensive research done in conjunction with veterinary schools such as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and University of Florida Veterinary School, along with two years of palatability tests, ElleVet Sciences has brought to market a chicken-liver-flavored feline CBD + CBDA product called Feline Complete Paste to ease joint discomfort, stress, and itching, provide neuro support, and aid general senior cat wellness. A dial-a-dose syringe makes dosing easy.
It’s sold in packs of two syringes. (300mg cannabinoids per syringe); each dose contains 10mg of cannabinoids. A dosing chart and links to studies are available on the website. $74.95. www.ellevetsciences.com.
This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.
