Hairballs as inspiration: One cat’s problem creates a growing business

Hairballs are common in cats, but they’re a nuisance for cat owners.

Priscilla Riggs was all too familiar with the daily grooming regimen of her cat, Jazzie. As the Costa Mesa resident’s cat would shed and groom itself, it would inadvertently swallow loose hair, which would collect in its stomach.

As a result, Jazzie would hack, gag or retch until vomiting.

This is common behavior among cats. Long-haired cats are especially prone to hairballs. In rare cases, hairballs can get stuck in the esophagus and cause intestinal blockages, which may require surgery to correct.

Sometimes the formation of hairballs indicates an underlying gastrointestinal problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease or cancer, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Though Riggs would provide Jazzie with a commercial pet grass in hopes of preventing or alleviating the byproduct of this feline hygiene practice, her cat was not a fan.

So Riggs, who at the time was a music promoter, newspaper columnist and advertising executive, set off on a whole different path: creating a natural remedy for hairballs.

Having raised and competitively ridden horses throughout her childhood, Riggs turned to her knowledge of grains and formulated a grass that blends oat, wheat, barley and rye.

Her grass, full of protein, vitamins and minerals, was easy for Jazzie to ingest. Though the remedy won’t prevent cats from swallowing their hair, once they eat the grass, the fibers help build a healthy digestive system that enables fur balls to be naturally eliminated.

Riggs recognized quickly that her cat no longer had hairballs.

That was 23 years ago.

Today, the formula that was created two decades ago can be found in more than 400 retail stores, including grocers Whole Foods Market, Ralphs, Stater Brothers, Bristol Farms and Gelson’s. The line, titled Priscilla’s Pet Products, is carried from Hawaii to the Virgin Islands and is also on Amazon.com. The inventor has plans to expand to Europe and Mexico.

“I needed to find a product that everybody needs,” Riggs said recently at the company’s Costa Mesa location. “Nobody needs another singer — unless they’re the best.”

To help her manufacture and wholesale the product, Riggs put together a team of about 30 stay-at-home moms who work part-time to help oversee the growing of the grass, package and assemble the product and deliver it to stores.

They coordinate their schedules around home duties and children’s school and sports activities.

The growing process is simple, Riggs said.

The seed is mixed with organic soil and placed in individual containers. Sprouts will be seen in a week to 10 days. Once the grass is mature enough to be sold, the product is delivered fresh to the retail locations.

Dogs, birds, reptiles and horses may also benefit from the grass, which has other medicinal powers, she said.

The blend that contains Vitamin K regulates blood clotting and promotes healthy kidney function and bone metabolism, Riggs said, adding that it has zero fat and zero cholesterol.

Riggs’ pet product business hasn’t stopped growing.

Over the years, Priscilla’s Pet Products introduced a Refillable Catnip Blanket. Cats can rest on the blanket, which is made from a soft fabric and has an attached pillow that can be refilled with catnip — a treat for the animals.

The refillable catnip has expanded to heart-shaped soft pillow toys.

The company also sells pet grass kits for owners who wish to grow their own grass. Pet owners may also make their own catnip treats, with ingredients composed of dried flowers and leaves.

Today, over 4,000 pots of Priscilla’s 100% Organic Pet Grass are sold weekly, she said. The company has received orders from all over the world and has tracked online purchases made from naval ships.

With each purchase, Riggs and the crew send thank-you notes bearing an image of the company’s new mascot, Colonel Cromwell, a 3-year-old blue-eyed cat adopted by Riggs and named by a friend.

“People love their animals and anything you can do to please people helping their pets, it’s just very rewarding,” Riggs said. “We love to see the orders and learn that people are loving the products.”