National Cat Health Month: Monitoring Health from the Litter Box
On this special National Cat Health Month episode of Cattitude, host Michelle Fern does something she doesn’t usually do — talk about a product. But this one is worth it. Michelle welcomes Jennifer Cookson, Director of R&D Innovation at PrettyLitter, to discuss an innovative “smart” litter designed to help cat parents monitor their cat’s health at home.
Cats are famously stoic and often hide signs of illness until it becomes serious. Jennifer explains how PrettyLitter’s color-changing crystals respond to shifts in urine pH and the presence of blood, helping pet parents track patterns over time and have more informed conversations with their veterinarians. The episode dives into the science behind amorphous silica (and why it’s safe), dust control, multi-cat households, odor performance, and why early detection matters more than many cat parents realize
It’s not about replacing your vet — it’s about empowering cat parents with better insight and peace of mind.
Plus: use promo code PETLIFE for 20% off your first order of PrettyLitter!
Listen to Episode #294 Now:
From Scoop to Science: The Future of Cat Health Monitoring
BIO:
Jennifer Cookson is the Director of R&D Innovation at PrettyLitter, where she leads evolving the brand from a category disruptor into a science-led leader in the broader feline care ecosystem. Her work spans core litter performance (odor control, dust, tracking), health-monitoring platforms, and new product adjacencies that sit at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and everyday pet parenting. With over a decade of experience bringing science-backed consumer products to market, Jennifer has led development across beauty, personal care, supplements, biotech, and now pet care—working from early-stage concepts through scale-up and commercialization. She's known for translating complex science into products (and stories) that actually make sense to consumers, while holding a high bar for safety, regulatory rigor, and real-world performance. Before joining PrettyLitter (now part of Mars Petcare), Jennifer held senior R&D leadership roles at Seed Health, Mother Dirt, ARCAEA, and Indigo Agriculture, and has overseen everything from ingredient innovation and clinical strategy to manufacturing transfer and acquisition integration. She is also the founder of Evolv R&D, a consultancy supporting emerging brands with formulation, regulatory, and product-safety strategy.
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