ST. LOUIS — As demand for functional pet food and treat products grows, Tiki Cats, a division of Tiki Pets, on Oct. 19 launched a new line of functional wet cat foods targeting digestive issues, skin and coat health and weight control.

Tiki Cat Special™ includes three functional formulas: Fussy, Skins & Coat and Light. Each diet comes in a smooth mousse format formulated with a broth to improve palatability. All three formulas are grain-free, non-GMO and do not contain artificial ingredients.

“Now people with sensitive cats can get the natural, high-protein diet that Tiki Cat is known for in a recipe that meets their pet’s special dietary needs,” said Erica Vogt, trade marketing manager for Tiki Cat. “Our new Tiki Cat Special foods address conditions that are very common in cats, which is why we expect demand for these products to be extremely strong.”

The Tiki Cat Special Fussy formula is high in protein and offers improved palatability “to tempt even the pickiest eaters,” according to the company. The formula includes egg and pumpkin for optimal digestibility.

Tiki Cat Special Skin & Coat includes salmon and tuna oils to deliver omega-3 fatty acids that aid in skin and coat health. The formula also includes zinc and vitamin B, as well as coconut oil.

Tiki Cat Special Light is a weight maintenance diet containing 40% less fat than the company’s Velvet Chicken diet. The Light formula includes chicken and lower-calorie turkey, combined with added L-Carnitine to boost cats’ metabolisms. Pumpkin is also included in the formula to support intestinal mobility.

The company cites research by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), which claims nearly 60% of domestic cats in the United States are overweight or obese, as well as from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, which states up to 15% of cats have at least one issue with skin and coat health. These statistics show a need for functional cat products in these categories, on which Tiki Cat has delivered.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.