Genius Litter is an innovative cat health company that produces color-changing litter and other products to monitor feline health. Founded by CEO Ramon van Meer after a harrowing health scare with his own cat, Genius Litter aims to give cat owners the power to easily detect signs of illness in their pets.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Genius Litter was established in 2017 and has rapidly grown to over $4 million in revenue as of 2020. The company is spearheaded by serial entrepreneur Ramon van Meer, who has founded multiple successful companies. After nearly losing his cat Quinsel to a severe urinary tract infection that was caught at the last moment, van Meer was inspired to create a solution that could identify feline health issues early on.
The flagship Genius Litter product utilizes proprietary color-changing technology to detect abnormal acidity or alkalinity levels in a cat’s urine, which can indicate conditions like urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, and metabolic issues. The litter contains non-toxic mineral silica gel crystals which are designed to be highly absorbent and effectively reduce odor.
The color-changing technology in Genius Litter’s products is designed to detect pH levels in urine that deviate from normal. When a cat uses the litter box, the color of the crystals will signal whether any urine abnormalities are present.
Yellow indicates a normal pH level and healthy urinary function. Orange suggests acidic urine, which may be a sign of metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when excess acid builds up in the body, while kidney tubular acidosis is a disorder affecting the kidney’s ability to regulate acid.
Green urine is a marker of increased alkalinity and may point to bacteria or early urinary tract infection. The darker the green color, the higher the alkalinity. A blue color also signifies highly alkaline urine, which can occur with some urinary infections and heighten the risk of bladder stones.
Red is not caused by pH, but rather indicates the presence of blood in the urine. This can result from bladder inflammation, bladder cancer, bladder stones, urinary tract infection, or other renal issues. It is considered an emergency situation that requires urgent veterinary care.
By carefully monitoring the color change of Genius Litter after a cat urinates, owners can detect these abnormalities early and proactively address potential underlying health issues. This at-home testing method allows for regular insight into a cat’s wellbeing without the need for stressful trips to the vet or lab tests. The color indicators act as an easy visual tool to identify problems and keep cats healthy.
The litter comes in recyclable cartons that contain enough litter to last approximately one month. It is marketed as a cleaner and safer alternative to traditional clay litters, producing less dust and tracking. Genius Litter also makes donations to animal shelters for each purchase.
In addition to the original formula, Genius Litter offers other products such as:
- Genius HI – packets of color-changing crystals that can be sprinkled over regular litter to check a cat’s urine pH weekly.
- Health Monitoring Pee Pads – pee pads for dogs that contain pH indicators to monitor canine health.
- Cat L-Lysine – a nutritional supplement made of the amino acid L-lysine to support feline immune function.
The company sells its offerings direct-to-consumer through its website GeniusLitter.com as well as via Amazon. According to Genius Litter, its products have continued to rapidly penetrate the market, with sales jumping from $500,000 in 2017 to $4.6 million in 2020.
Genius Litter stands out in the pet care industry for its innovative use of technology to detect health issues early and prevent emergencies. With its line of color-changing formulas, the company aims to provide pet owners with an easy way to monitor their cat’s wellbeing without invasive testing. As it continues its rapid growth, Genius Litter plans to further its mission of reshaping pet care led by founder Ramon van Meer’s vision.
