Genius Litter on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost and how to buy color-changing litter formula that detects signs of illness in cats
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Get ready for a pet care revolution! Genius Litter, the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Ramon Van Meer, is set to make a splash on Season 15 of 'Shark Tank'. Every cat parent knows that the true ruler of the house is the one with four legs. What cats choose to do in their spare time is entirely up to them.
Regrettably, owing to their independent nature, cat parents may remain unaware of potential ailments. Recognizing this challenge, "serial entrepreneur" Ramon will pitch his innovative health-indicating litter company, Genius Litter, on 'Shark Tank' on February 2, 2024. Mark your calendars for February 2 at 8 pm ET, as Genius Litter makes its debut on ABC. Viewers can tune in to witness whether any of the Sharks will join this groundbreaking pet care venture. Additionally, expect the unveiling of surprising new products poised to revolutionize how we care for our beloved pets.
Ramon, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of Genius Litter, takes the spotlight on ABC's 'Shark Tank'. Brace yourself for a compelling showdown as he goes head-to-head with the formidable Sharks: Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, Mark Cuban, Daymond John, and Barbara Corcoran. Despite Genius Litter's substantial financial growth since its inception, Ramon admits to feeling a "mix of being nervous and super excited" about facing the sharks on ABC's Emmy-winning business reality series.
"I started watching Shark Tank when I came to the U.S. back in 2009," shared the Netherlands-born entrepreneur with Green Matters. "It is really crossing off a bucket list item for me." Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion: Will Genius Litter secure a deal?
What is Genius Litter?
Genius Litter's groundbreaking health-indicating litter revolutionizes pet care by providing crucial insights into the well-being of our feline companions through color and texture variations. The company's innovative approach, incorporating enhanced odor control and an environmentally friendly composition, is setting new industry standards.
In the realm of pet care, one entrepreneur's distress led to a groundbreaking solution that not only saved a cherished feline but also revolutionized the way we care for our cats. Meet Ramon, the visionary founder of Genius Kitty Litter, a business that transcends traditional cat care solutions. Genius Litter emerged from a traumatic incident. Ramon's timely visit to the vet saved his cat, Quinsel, from a dangerous urinary tract infection (UTI).
This close call inspired Ramon to devise a more effective method for early disease detection and safeguarding the health of our feline friends. "There's a pH liquid that's mixed into the litter, and it basically detects the pH levels in the urine," explained Ramon. "If it's below a certain number, then it could mean, for example, there's a UTI or a bladder issue. If it's above a certain number, then it could mean different health issues."
A healthy cat's urine pH typically ranges between 4 and 6. The non-toxic, non-clumping litter's indicator crystals change color based on the pH of the cat's urine, enabling the detection of irregularities before they escalate into serious health issues. Ramon emphasizes that Genius Litter sets itself apart from similar products due to its smaller mineral silica gel particles. This characteristic not only reduces dust but also minimizes tracking into the home, making it "less painful for the paws of the cats."
Reduced dustiness is crucial, as inhaling litter dust can lead to irritation and inflammation. Unlike clay litter, which contains crystalline silica dust known to be a potential carcinogen when breathed in, silica gel litter lacks this harmful component. Both clay and silica crystal litters are composed of naturally occurring materials, though neither is considered biodegradable. Nonetheless, silica gel (or synthetic amorphous silica) litter is more environmentally friendly than conventional clumping litter.
"You don't need 20, 30, 40 pounds of clay litter every month," Ramon reveals. "For Genius Litter, you only need around 6 pounds per month." This is because silica gel is made from silicon dioxide, possessing water-absorbing qualities that eliminate the need to scoop out urine, focusing only on solid waste.
Traditional cat litter has faced criticism, prompting the creation of Genius Litter to address its shortcomings. This preventive cat care litter is not only user-friendly but also offers new insights into a cat's health. Genius Litter uses environmentally friendly silica crystals to detect early urinary tract or bladder issues through color changes. The color-changing feature serves as a subtle signal, alerting pet parents to potential health concerns without causing disruption to their feline companions.
Beyond serving as a visual cue, Genius Litter's color-changing technology functions as an early detection method for common feline health conditions.
Genius Litter provides vital insights about a cat's well-being, such as a change to dark green or blue indicating a potential bacterial UTI or the formation of struvite stones. A shift to yellow or orange may suggest issues like metabolic acidosis or renal difficulties.
Genius Litter is not only about health indications but also behaves like any quality cat litter. It neutralizes odors, generates less waste than traditional options, and keeps a cat's paws clean. Furthermore, the company showcases a commitment to social responsibility by feeding 10 rescue cats for every bag sold, demonstrating their dedication to making a positive impact beyond their product.
Who is the founder of Genius Litter?
Ramon is a serial entrepreneur with a track record of acquiring and selling over a dozen enterprises. His most significant exit was a soap opera blog that he built from scratch and sold for more than $8.75 million in less than two years. Currently, Ramon is the founder of Genius Litter, a health-indicating cat litter that changes color when a cat is ill. Establishing Genius Litter three years ago, he has propelled the company to achieve $5 million in annual revenue.
Despite being a high school dropout, Ramon initiated his entrepreneurial journey at 18 with a construction firm and has launched several other enterprises over the past two decades. In addition to being an active founder, he serves as an investor, speaker, and coach for fellow entrepreneurs. In 2018, Ramon acquired Alpha Paw for $300,000 and transformed it into a $35 million sales company within three years.
As the CEO and founder, he leads a pet-focused firm providing breed-specific solutions for addressing health issues unique to different breeds. Ramon's venture into online entrepreneurship began when he purchased his first website on Flippa for $500 14 years ago. After observing a similar website advertised on Flippa for $100,000, he decided to build a blog. Exploring 30 different blog niches via Facebook, he found that politics, soap operas, and wrestling garnered the most interaction and page views. He ultimately selected soap operas, and his blog later sold for $9 million.
The inspiration for Genius Litter stemmed from Ramon's personal experience with his cat facing difficulty peeing and having blood in her urine. This led him to realize the challenges cat owners face in detecting illnesses due to their pets' independence. Conducting research, he discovered health-indicating cat litter and decided to build his own.
Ramon's firsthand experience heightened his awareness of cat behaviors linked to their health. He emphasizes the importance of early detection for issues like urinary tract infections (UTIs), as cats often mask their pain until it becomes severe. Untreated UTIs in cats can lead to life-threatening complications such as renal failure or bladder ruptures.
With his commitment to pet health, Ramon advocates for proactive measures, especially for older cats, recommending regular bloodwork to monitor kidney issues, a common concern in felines over 12 years old.
What is the cost and how to buy Genius Litter?
Genius Litter offers a six-pound bag for $24.99, with the option to save 5% through a subscription. Additionally, they provide Cat L-Lysine, a supplement designed to strengthen a cat's immune system. Another product in their lineup is Genius HI, a health-indicating powder that can be sprinkled over any cat litter, providing the same results as Genius Litter. For dog owners, Genius Litter offers health-indicating pee pads, offering diagnostic capabilities similar to their litter product.
These products are available in over 1500 PetSmart and Target stores nationwide, and they can also be purchased on Amazon. Genius Litter has garnered enthusiastic reviews from thousands of cat owners who appreciate the revolutionary solution. Testimonials highlight stories of lives saved, with pet owners expressing gratitude for the color-changing feature, which encourages prompt veterinary care.
Some Amazon reviews mention the effectiveness of the product but note a slight dustiness. One user states, "Works great but a little dusty." Another satisfied customer mentions, "This cat litter is a game-changer! It clumps well, controls odors effectively, and my cat seems to approve. Easy to scoop, and one bag goes a long way. Say goodbye to litter box woes—highly recommend!"
One user points out, "This litter works well for the health monitoring feature. It didn't seem to do much for odor elimination, and I had to completely change the litter after about 2 weeks of use by our three cats. The scent also seemed on the stronger side to me, but I don't know if I'm just more sensitive to those kinds of things."
Another user adds, "This lasted a little over a month. I have 2 litter boxes and 2 cats. It does have dust and it tracks like any other litter but it works just like pretty litter. I don’t touch the boxes for a week and use sifting litter boxes. I spend less time dealing with the litter box now and the cats seem to like it."
Where is Genius Litter now?
Genius Litter is revolutionizing cat care by introducing health indications, superior odor management, and an eco-friendly composition. The commitment to quality is evident through strategic collaborations with veterinarians and partnerships with expert chemical engineers for rigorous testing.
The exciting debut of Genius Litter in PetSmart and Target signifies universal access to innovative solutions for our cherished pets. The remarkable financial growth, soaring from $500,000 to $4.6 million in just three years, not only challenges industry norms but also resonates with consumer appeal, ushering in a new era of inventive and compassionate pet solutions.
Who will steal the deal?
When facing the Shark panel, Ramon directed his attention to Lori and Barbara, believing they "would be great fits." Despite their impressive track record, having sold over a million cat litters last year and securing placements in over 1500 retailers, including Target and PetSmart, the outcome regarding a deal remains uncertain. There's a belief that the percentage offered may be too low for the Sharks.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 13 is scheduled to air on ABC on Friday, February 2, at 8 pm ET. Don't miss the latest episode showcasing products such as Modern Picnic, Torch, Au Baby, and Genius Litter.
For those unable to catch the episode on the original air date, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Viewers also have the option to explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.