Weekly Companion News: July 8, 2024

UC Davis prepares to open veterinary hospital

BluePrints Veterinary Marketing Group has been named as the Agency of Record for the new San Diego-based Janice K. Hobbs UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center Southern California. BluePrints will work with UC Davis to develop marketing initiatives targeting the veterinary community, school alumni and pet-owning public. With an opening date set for late 2025, the 23,000-square-foot veterinary medical center will continue to offer cardiology, clinical pharmacy, hemodialysis, nephrology & advanced urology. Additional referral services will include emergency/critical care, internal medicine, oncology, surgery, and radiology/diagnostic imaging.

Online retailer Vitacost.com recognized

Online health-and-wellness retailer Vitacost.com was named a five-star Customer Service Champion by USA Today. The company offers nearly 40,000 items, including pet essentials and sports nutrition products as well as dietary supplements specialty foods, and organic body and personal care products.

Pet Honesty introduces breath freshener

Austin, Texas-based Pet Honesty introduced a meal-time supplement topper designed to keep dogs’ teeth and gums healthy while freshening breath. The powder features a postbiotic for maintaining a healthy oral microbiome, combating bad bacteria and reducing plaque formation.

Athletes love their dogs: Docuseries

Purina Pro Plan has joined forces with swimmer Michael Phelps and other sports professionals to launch “Fueled By,” a docuseries highlighting the commitment of athletes to their sports and underscoring the vital role nutrition plays in driving their active lifestyles with their dogs.

PetEdge to carry line of plant-based products

Pet groomer PetEdge now offers smith&burton Canine Collection, a collection of shampoos, conditioners, colognes, sprays, balms and wipes made from plant-based formulations. All smith&burton products are reported to be free of Parabens, Cocamide DEA, SLS/SLES, Phthalates, Phosphates, PEGs, PPGs, EDTA, DPEG, Silicone, Petro-Chemicals, Artificial Colors, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Fragrances or Dyes.

Vetster extends service to Florida

Veterinary telehealth company Vetster will now serve 12.5 million pet owners in Florida, including diagnosis, treatment plans and prescriptions. In addition to its virtual video appointments, pet owners can use VetsterRx, fulfilled by PetMeds®, to have their prescriptions shipped directly to their home, or choose a local human pharmacy. This comes shortly after Florida passed legislation that will allow veterinarians to establish a VCPR online.

Home urine test for hematuria

A cat urine test kit developed in Thailand uses litterbox samples to screen for risk of hematuria, which can indicate kidney disease, as well as gallstones, cystitis and other diseases related to the urinary tract. Given its non-invasive nature, the urine test kit can be used by pet owners to routinely check their cat’s urine for the presence of blood.

Weruva acquires Cat Person

Weruva International Inc., a Natick, Massachusetts-based pet food manufacturer, has acquired Cat Person, a direct-to-consumer brand of cat food. Weruva will continue to update customers as more details become available.