Because the feline furbaby to a first-time cat guardian, Mr Miyagi (not the fictional Karate grasp from Karate Child, thoughts you) had been showered with every kind of pet provides from the pet store. This included cat litter, after all.
Nonetheless, Mr Miyagi began to sneeze vigorously. His guardian took him to the vet, the place he was poked and prodded throughout scientific assessments. “As a cat guardian, nothing hurts like watching your cat undergo,” they recalled.
After days of hospitalisation, the decision that they obtained was that Mr Miyagi’s ingestion of clay and silica-based litter mud over time had triggered respiratory issues. With this understanding, the cat guardian got down to create an answer—Pottycats.
Probably cat-astrophic threats
Earlier than deciding to start out Pottycats, although, the founder did try to search for various litter manufacturers.
The most well-liked forms of litter are clay-based or silica-based litter. In response to the Pottycats staff, sodium bentonite, which is present in clay clumping litter, is a “robust chemical sealant” utilized in constructing improvement.
Nonetheless, a fast Google search confirmed that the chemical itself isn’t essentially dangerous. As an alternative, it’s the truth that it will probably take up 15 instances its unique quantity that will trigger issues. Which means that if the litter ingested, it will probably trigger extreme and probably deadly well being points.
Then again, crystal cat litter makes use of sodium silicate. One of these litter is absorbent and offers odour management, however it may be harmful if ingested too.
Moreover, Pottycats shared that crystalline silica mud, which will be present in some lower-quality crystal litters, may cause silicosis, a type of lung illness.
In response to a Pet MD article by a physician of veterinary medication, a “massive amount of both clay or silica litter would have to be ingested to actually be harmful to your cat”. However given Mr Miyagi’s well being scare, it is sensible why some cat dad and mom could also be further involved about that chance.
So, Mr Miyagi’s dad and mom determined to look right into a safer, biodegradable choice, which ended up mendacity in soy and tofu.
Litter-ally secure for cats
After a yr of analysis and improvement, Pottycats made its debut in 2017. In response to the staff, that they had collaborated with unbiased worldwide researchers and builders to provide you with the top outcome.
“Our major aim is to make sure that the components used are plant-based and secure for cats whereas additionally addressing odour and cleansing up, that are two main sources of frustration for cat dad and mom,” Pottycats’ staff defined.
In response to the web site, the litter is made primarily of soy/tofu, meals gum, starch, and water.
Because the litter consists of food-grade and plant-based components, which means your cat may ingest the litter in small portions, although cat dad and mom mustn’t encourage the behavior.
One other characteristic of the litter is its flushability. The litter is meant to disintegrate instantly when flushed in order to not clog your plumbing system. In fact, you’re solely presupposed to flush one to 2 scoops at a time.
At the moment, Pottycats just isn’t the primary or solely soy or tofu litter model round. In 2017, although, the founder felt like there was a niche out there, particularly domestically. The staff additionally believes that Pottycats has established itself as a favorite out there over the previous 5 years.
On the Pottycats FAQ web page, the staff admitted that there are different manufacturers that promote tofu litter at a less expensive value. Nonetheless, they argued that these will “break throughout scooping, be dusty, and have an odour after just a few days of use”.
Pottycats has three variants of litter—unique, charcoal, and combined. The charcoal helps with eliminating odours with out utilizing any synthetic scents. A 6-litre-pack for every variant is RM35 and ordering in higher portions is just a few ringgit cheaper.
Whereas the staff mentioned most cats adapt simply to their litter, prospects also can attain out to ask for help with the transition course of.
Su-purr-ting different cat dad and mom
Past simply litter, Pottycats desires to handle cat care as an entire.
“Pottycats specialises in potty care by offering high-quality and efficient merchandise, private session on potty coaching for brand new cat dad and mom, potty care steerage, month-to-month dwelling supply service, and litter personalisation,” the staff defined.
Aside from cat merchandise, Pottycats additionally helps animal adoption, having collaborated with varied organisations similar to PAWS Animal Welfare Society to run campaigns. One in all such campaigns was a Save The Cats marketing campaign, for which they created restricted version tote luggage.
Pottycats additionally has a cat care weblog housed on its web site. It will get up to date reasonably usually with informative articles. The latest few articles talk about a cat’s excellent weight, the advantages of moist meals and dry meals, in addition to the best way to inform in case your cat poop is wholesome.
A paw-sitive future
Over the previous 5 years, Pottycats has been capable of garner 19K followers on Instagram. The staff believes that it’s due partially to cat dad and mom being extra educated than ever.
“Shoppers have advanced and grow to be smarter of their decision-making on account of the ability of the web, social media, social influences, phrase of mouth, and different sources,” they mentioned.
The staff hinted at probably introducing some new product lineups this yr. Down the highway, in addition they hope to broaden into totally different cat care classes.
All future merchandise will most certainly be Mr Miyagi-approved, and that ought to be capable to give different furparents peace of thoughts with regards to Pottycats’ merchandise.
- Be taught extra about Pottycats right here.
- Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Pottycats
