After two years of development, Wonderfur, a dog and cat supplement developed by an Australian startup, has finally gone to market.
The supplement is the first-of-its-kind, evidence-based, patented freeze-drying technology in Australian animal health, sourced with only Australian farm-fresh ingredients and prepared in TGA-approved facilities, with the aim of bolstering the pet’s immune system and improving the body’s natural defences.
Lloyd Hall, Founder of Wonderfur, created the supplement after his pet dog Lucky became unwell.
“Lucky started to have very bad diarrhoea and I was having to get up every night on the hour to attend to him as he was in a fair bit of distress.
“It was very worrying and became worse, leading to a dermatological condition that caused him to constantly scratch, and an ear infection also developed – it was worse than having a sick child.”
After repeated vet visits and trying multiple diets that occasionally worked but were not feasible in the long-term, Hall, an ex-IBM employee, decided to create his own supplement, spotting a gap in the Australian market where most cat and dog treats were meat-based and did not address specific health needs.
“I am firmly of the belief that technology can transform lives and so I thought, how can I harness some of these skills to tap into a solution for the gap I identified through my own real-life experience with my own pet’s digestive health.”
After educating himself about the process of keeping raw ingredients fresh through the freeze-drying process and after extensive consultation and partnership with reputable veterinary surgeons, laboratory scientists and animal nutritionists, Wonderfur was born.
Linda Simon, a veterinarian and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who partnered with Lloyd on the development of the technology, says Wonderfur Bites are of an unusually high quality, and dogs and cats also enjoy the taste.
“Wonderfur Bites dog and cat supplements are made from all human grade ingredients. They contain green lipped muscles that help with joint pain and inflammation as well as lactose-free yogurts to support a healthy gastrointestinal system.
“I love how these treats are freeze-dried; preserving the active compounds and ensuring the ingredients retain their natural potency. The colostrum, lactose-free kefir and inulin in these bites all work together to bolster the immune system and improve the body’s natural defences. Over time, this can lead to a smaller chance of getting sick and an improved ability to fight off any infection your dog or cat may face.”
Other key active ingredients in the convenient cube-shaped supplement, that can be used as a food topper or treat/reward, include zinc, turmeric, which provides inflammatory and skin support and goji berry for immune health, eye, and skin health.
Wonderfur Bites are available to purchase for $29.99 for a packet of 25 online at wonderfur.com.au, with Hall saying he has even bigger plans to roll out the brand globally depending on its Australian success.
To stay up to date on the latest industry headlines, sign up to the Pet Industry News e-newsletter.