AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, premium, veterinarian-approved pet supplement brand Pet Honesty launched its newest product: Urinary Tract Health for cats. The “first-of-its-kind,” dual-texture chew is specifically designed to support urinary health in felines — a significant concern amongst cat owners.
Cat Urinary Tract Health is formulated by animal nutritionists, as well as feline “enthusiasts,” aligning with Pet Honesty’s dedication toward science-backed products with high palatability. The new supplement contains cranberry, glucosamine and biotics to help maintain normal urine pH and function.
“Feline urinary health can be challenging for pet parents, but our chews provide a natural, targeted approach,” said Greg Reinhart, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Pet Honesty. “Our dual-texture format ensures cats love the taste while benefiting from its functionality, making it easier for owners to care for their beloved companions.”
The product represents the only dual-texture urinary health chew, according to the company. It joins Pet Honesty’s existing cat chew line, which includes popular Multivitamin and Hairball Support formulas.
“We have a number of cat dual-texture products out there and the response by cat parents has been overwhelmingly positive,” Reinhart shared with Pet Food Processing. “That gave us the idea that if there’s ever opportunities where cats need help, let’s look at that. Anyone who’s had cats knows that there’s always the fear of things going awry with the urinary system.”
According to Reinhart, Pet Honesty’s new supplement accomplishes this through a three-pronged approach.
The supplement uses cranberry extract which contains proanthocyanins, compounds that help reduce the likelihood of bacteria from sticking to walls within the urinary tract, particularly the bladder. Essentially, these proanthocyanins attach to the urinary tract walls, blocking bacteria from attaching and instead encouraging them to be flushed out with normal urination.
The product is also formulated with D-mannose, a six-carbon sugar that inhibits the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary wall; and glucosamine, which is converted into Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These specific compounds line the urinary tract, making it more difficult for bacteria to stick.
“We’ve got two things that make the bacteria less sticky, and we’ve got another compound that lines the bladder wall that makes it less sticky,” Reinhart shared. “Altogether, it’s a three-part system that really makes adhesion less likely. It’s a pretty powerful protective shield, frankly.”
In addition to supporting urinary health, the product also targets immune and gut health. Optimizing gut health has been shown to enhance various bodily systems in pets, including their urinary function. Pet Honesty is aiming to support this with the inclusion of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic that serves as an energy source for good bacteria; and Bacillus subtilis, a probiotic.
“There’s a lot of interplay between total body health, in particular organ system health, and that really comes into play with gut health,” Reinhart said.
“What we’re learning with some of these biotics is they have systemic immune benefits,” he explained. “The urinary tract system is going to benefit from a stronger immune system. So, if by chance the bacteria are able to fight through that triple action, protective shield and attach, then you’ve got a stronger immune system that can help combat that better.”
The supplement also contains psyllium husk, a good source of fiber and another powerful ingredient that lends well to gut health.
“There’s three keys for good gut health: the right amount of fermentable fiber that produces short-chain fatty acids, which feed the gut; a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria; and a good bacteria via the probiotic,” Reinhart detailed. “That really keeps the gut healthy — and you get systematic benefits.”
As well as offering functional health benefits, Cat Urinary Tract Health also touts high acceptability by felines, a rarity in the cat world, according to Pet Honesty. The company utilized its dual-texture format on this particular product, offering cats a crunchy exterior with a creamy interior. According to company’s research, nine out of 10 cats enjoy the format.
“Overall, this is a wonderful product the way it’s accepted, and we were able to pack all these active ingredients in and not lose palatability,” Reinhart said.
Urinary Tract Health can be used in conjunction with complete-and-balanced, veterinary therapeutic urinary diets, providing additional support. The supplements are manufactured in the United States and are free from fillers. It is also backed by the company’s The Honest Difference™.
“At Pet Honesty, we listen to what pet parents need and create solutions that are effective and easy to use,” said Rich Greenberg, chief executive officer of Pet Honesty. “Urinary Tract Health chews reflect our unwavering commitment to combining science, innovation, and genuine care for pets. Unlike other brands, we create products specifically for cats, crafting formulations that address their unique needs rather than modifying those made for dogs.”
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