FAQ

Using the granules

How effective are Blücare granules?

Blücare granules have been clinically tested by veterinary universities. The granules are able to detect blood and/or glucose in very small concentrations.

The granules’ detection threshold for blood and glucose may vary slightly under certain extreme urinary conditions (very high urine density, high pH, etc.), but the granules remain capable of detecting urinary biomarkers at clinically relevant thresholds for your pet, even in those situations.

What litter can I use Blücare granules with?

Blücare granules have been tested and are compatible with Intersand’s OdourLock and Classic litters, which are the litters we recommend.

Blücare granules have been designed to be compatible with a maximum number of litters on the market, but we do not know all the components of other litters. Some may contain chemicals that could affect results and we can’t vouch for the results of granules on other litters.

As a general rule, we recommend using a bentonite-based clumping litter, to enable easy removal of urine clumps and easy daily distinction of granules that have been soiled by urine VS granules that have remained dry. Blücare should not be added to litter of plant origin (this only applies to granules with glucose detection valency) or to litter containing oxidizing agents.

Can I pour out part of the bag and save the rest for later?

We recommend that you pour the entire content of the sachet onto your litter. Please note that if, for reasons of your own, you decide to leave some granules in the sachet, they will remain effective for a period of 30 days after opening the sachet under normal storage conditions (below 25°C / 77°F, protected from humidity and light).

The number of granules in the clumps is decreasing. Is this normal?

Yes, as the cat urinates on the granules and you remove the clumps of feces containing soiled granules, the total number of granules in the litter will decrease. The speed at which granules are “consumed” may vary from cat to cat, and may also vary according to the different sizes of litter boxes.

We think it’s important that you find at least one granule caught on the surface of urine clumps at least every two days, so that you can properly assess the presence or absence of blood and/or glucose in your cat’s urine. If this is not the case, it is advisable to renew your granules.

Is it possible to use Blücare in a multi-cat household?

Having several cats does not affect the performance of Blücare granules. If the granules turn blue and you don’t know which cat is responsible for the urination in question (or if none of your cats show any suggestive clinical sign), contact your veterinarian, you might have to take all of your cats to the veterinarian. If your veterinarian recommends it to you, you can also add an extra step before the consultation: isolate each cat with a litter containing the granules to identify the one with blood and/or glucose in the urine.

How long should this test be used for a cat?

We recommend the daily use of Blücare granules, especially in cats with risk factors. Indeed, early detection of signs of urinary disease and diabetes is key to keeping your cat healthy. This could prevent veterinary complications and save you significant medical costs.

Note that if detected early, urinary and diabetic disorders can be much easier to treat than if detected late. (E.g.: sometimes your veterinarian will recommend a simple dietary change that could be enough to completely cure an early-stage issue, whereas hospitalization may be necessary for some late-stage issue).

Will the cat be monitored every time it urinates?

The contents of a sachet are calculated so that at least one granule is touched by urine (and visible on the surface of urine clumps) at least once every 2 days for approximately 30 days. (N.B. This duration is subject to variation according to the frequency of the cat’s urination, the size of the cat, the number of cats in the house, the size of the litter tray, etc.).

Analyzing the granules

I'm not sure if the granules are really blue

A green or very light blue color is usually a sign of a positive test. The lighter color or green hue might be caused by lower quantities of blood and/or glucose found in the urine.

If you’re unsure of the color, remove all soiled granules from the litter and make sure the litter is clean. If your Blücare granules have been in your litter box for a month or more, clean the entire box and replace it with a new set (litter + bag of granules). In the next 24 to 48 hours, watch your cat’s behavior and the color of the new soiled granules.

If your cat’s behavior is unusual and/or you still notice a bluish coloration, contact your veterinarian.

My cat looks sick, but the granules are still white. What should I do?

Although granules are a powerful aid in detecting blood and glucose, blood and glucose do not appear in all feline pathologies and/or sometimes appear in quantities too small for granules to detect. Think of granules as part of your toolkit for managing your cat’s health.

That’s why, whatever the color of the granules, if you have any doubts about your cat’s health, consult your vet.

The granules have turned blue but my cat doesn't seem to be sick. What should I do?

The granules are precisely developed to help detect signs as quickly as possible and they may detect traces of blood or glucose in your cat’s urine even before the cat shows visible clinical signs.

Even if your cat does not appear to be ill, blood or glucose in the urine in quantities detectable by Blücare is abnormal. You should consult your veterinarian.

Notes :

Most frequent causes of blood in urine: urinary diseases (cystitis, stones, infection, etc.).
Most frequent causes of glucose in the urine: feline diabetes, intense stress (=in the event of “stress hyperglycemia”, a massive amount of glucose can sometimes be released into the cat’s circulatory system, resulting in a release of glucose in the urine. This is possible, but it’s important to find the source of the stress to prevent it from happening again to your cat).

The granules look more beige/yellow after a few weeks. Is this normal?

This is a common reaction after some time, and is due to possible oxidation on contact with air. Nevertheless, the granules perform well within 30 days of opening, and are still capable of detecting small amounts of blood and/or glucose.

How often should I check my cat's litter box?

After sprinkling the Blücare sachet, keep a close eye on your cat’s litter (we recommend twice a day.) Once opened, the granules retain their effectiveness for 30 days under normal conditions of use. If your cat urinates and the granules turn BLUE, this color will remain visible for 48 hours.

Test results may be falsified if your cat urinates several times on the same granules. It is strongly recommended to clean the litter box daily.

Health questions

What happens if my child eats the granules?

Although the granules are considered non-hazardous, they do contain an ingredient that may cause food intolerance in some people. It is therefore recommended to rinse the mouth with water and consult a health care professional if in doubt.

What happens if my pet (cat, dog or other) eats the granules?

Granules are considered safe for your pet’s health under normal conditions of use. If you have any doubts about your cat’s health or notice a change in behavior, contact your veterinarian.

Can the product cause discomfort to cats?

No litter aversions have been reported to date with the addition of Blücare granules to the litter. On the contrary, the granules help with health monitoring while allowing the cat to keep its usual litter substrate, have little visual impact and are odorless; cats often don’t even notice their presence.

However, some cats may initially be reluctant to use their litter with Blücare granules on it. If this is the case for you, for the first 24 hours, try covering the granules with litter and offering 2 trays: 1 with litter containing granules and one with litter without granules, until your cat gets used to the granules.

Remember: it’s advisable to have n+1 litter boxes in your home (n being the number of cats in your household. For example, if you have 2 cats, it’s recommended that you have 3 litter boxes).