dvm360® product report: Itchy skin supplement, plus travel backpack, and more

Photo courtesy of Cold Water Technologies, Inc.

Itchy skin supplement

Cold Water Technologies, Inc, a company that develops science-based products for pets, has created Happy Scratch, a supplement that helps stop itching caused by dermatitis in cats and dogs. Happy Scratch is a powdered supplement that supports pets’ immune systems, aiming to prevent itching. The supplement was developed by Maria Dashek, DVM, PhD, veterinary immunologist and cofounder of Cold Water Technologies, and is made from pork mucosa that naturally contains a large amount of IgA, an anti-inflammatory antibody.

Photo courtesy of Roverlund.

Ready-for-Adventure Pet Backpack

The Ready-for-Adventure Pet Backpack was designed by Roverlund for small dogs and cats to easily travel with their owners. The backpack is airline compliant and can comfortably hold up to 25 lb. It has a water-resistant lining for easy cleaning in case of any accidents, and it features a discrete laptop sleeve, 3 zippered head openings, 2 water bottle holders, and an inner leash clip to keep the pet secured when inside.

Photo courtesy of FDA.

Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda

The Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda is a new way to modernize how the FDA evaluates and supports the development of innovative animal and veterinary products. The agenda will apply to products such as novel food ingredients, animal biotechnology and tissue-based products, intentional genomic alternations in animals, cell-culture animal food ingredients, and more. The FDA will focus on specific questions being raised by upcoming products that are using new and emerging technologies, as well as provide clarity and predictability to its review process.

Photo courtesy of HHOLOVE.

Companion robot for cats

The O Sitter by HHOLOVE is an at-home camera device that features a 360° horizontal rotating camera head, 4 times zoom, and night vision. The motion detector automatically tracks the pet, adjusting the camera angle as they move throughout the room. It also has 2-way audio, allowing owners to connect with their cats at any time of day while they are away. The artificial intelligence uses face recognition to detect where the cat is and sends notifications if the O Sitter has lost sight of the cat. The O Sitter also includes an interactive laser for cat playtime and an automatic food dispenser.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.

Ancestry DNA for pets

Know Your Pet DNA was created by an expert team of DNA scientists and animal geneticists at Ancestry to give pet owners more information on breed details, genetic matches in their area, and common traits. The test kit can offer a breakdown of a dog’s breed(s) from a reference panel
including more than 400 different breeds worldwide. It can also give genetic matches to other dogs in the database and dogs with similar breed mixes in the local area. Information is available on the unique genetic makeup detected with 30 behavioral (eg, likelihood to have separation anxiety) and physical traits (eg, noise sensitivities).

Photo courtesy of Champion Petfoods.

Dog treats with superfoods

ACANA Chewy Tenders dog treats by Champion Petfoods includes superfoods, bone broth for added protein and taste, and honey. These treats are also made without glycerin ingredients. The chicken recipe is made of 90% animal ingredients, provides immune system support with antioxidant-rich cranberries, and contains vitamins C and E. The beef recipe, which is also made of 90% animal ingredients, supports hip and joint health with algal oil rich in ω-3 fatty acids. The salmon recipe, made of 85% animal ingredients, supports skin, coat, and digestive health with ω-3 fatty acids from wild-caught salmon and fiber from pumpkin.