So I was thinking about seriously starting my pet product business and I have alot of really good ideas on what I would like to make and have in stock but I wanted to get some input from pet owners. is there anything out that you need for your pet but you either can't find it or its too damn expensive. I know I'm gonna have beds and collars and leashes and some toys and I'm gonna try and make backpacks and travel bags for the dogs belongings and crap like that (yes some of this stuff does have to be corny) and I think I'm try and do some cat stuff and fancy fish bowls and things like that but I was driving yesterday and was wondering if there was something else.
Any input or ideas would be great and anyone who wants to make fun of me...go ahead. I don't have anything better to deal with.
Well Bama, have you picked the right board to post on! Most of us girls have dogs at the very least!
I find my biggest problem with finding unique things for pets is the coat situation. Yes, short haired dogs of all sizes need help in New England weather! Don't laugh fellas - Mack kinda fits in Rajah's old fleece, so that's good. I paid almost $50 for a fleece for Rajah back in 1995 and I still have it and it gets used! The killer is that I'm paying for a brand name. I could easily send you a pattern, but the thing is my favorite by far because it has a full velcro strip running accross the top instead of having to fight to fasten it underneath. FidoFleece is the maker.
Every darn time I go looking for something like this they only have sizes that fit the ankle biting kick dogs (just kidding pokes and you know it) but it is true. The market for these tiny toy dogs is huge and booming, but there are those of us who just are partial to the larger breeds for more than one reason. Finding things to fit our Medium to large dogs is nearly impossible...and when I do find anything it out of sight expensive.
Functionality is what I look for in a product. Will the toy last through an aggressive chewer? Will the seams on the fleece hold (which obviously they have for nearly 10 years). Will my dog get sick from something it's made out of or tear off something and choke or have to have surgery to remove something?
Dan and I go out of our way to go to a place south of us by at least a half hour to get Mack's food and other stuff. We love Greenies, but finding a place that sells the large and extra large ones in bulk is nearly impossible and then the prices are outragous!
I've found problems finding simple tools like a dental scaler (basically it's a scraper for teeth) I did all of Rajah's maintenance and it never bothered me. teeth, nails, grooming, ears etc. The elusive dental scaler still has yet to surface ANYWHERE other than online. I have toothbrushes and finger brushes, but that tartar, when you have an agreeable dog, needs to come off. Chew toys are one way, but I definitely would like to see more availability on the dental side locally. People just don't think of their pet's dental hygeine...it's important and left uncared for, can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for an animal.
Back to the clothing. I'd like to see a PRACTICAL rain coat for a dog Mack's size. None of these goofy, for show 'slicker' types, but an actual honest to goodness raincoat that functions as it should. Keep the torso dry while allowing nature to take its course outside.
Give our medium - large dogs a chance.
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Well that's part of the reson why I wanted to start this. Mostly because I could never find exactly what I wanted. Beaner was a medium sized dog that I had a hard time finding sweaters and stuff for her for the winter especially when she had to be shaved when her skin flared up. If you have a pic of Raji-poo wearing the sweater that you were talking about then I may have to see it. If you don't mind I could Mack as a guinea pig and make it and send it to ya to see how ya like it. But yeah as far as sweaters and stuff goes it is hard to find them for bigger dogs. So I think those are the ones I may cater to. I also wanted to do some sort of Tshirts (people shirts) but I'm still thinking about that one.
The toys would mostly be stuffed animals fairly simple until i can get better at them. Still working on the designs and the best way to go about it. I still have to find the weakies and the wonk-wonk noise makers. But it may be a bit before they are indestructable. (for Beaner I would go t the flea markets, pick up the cheap stuffies, cut off the eyeballs and noses, sitch em back up, wash em and she loved them. Great for a dog that goes through toys...when she got mad at me she would take it out on her stuffies).
As far as cat messes...don't think I will messing with chemicals. THere is natures miracles which comes in a red and white bottle that is great for bodily fluids. Its an enzyme product that may take a little bit to work but when its done, you would never know there was a kitty boo boo.
Last edited on Sun Jul 10th, 2005 02:01 am by bama
bama wrote: Oh yeah the slicker...gotta think about that one. Do you wnat a hat and galoshes too. Hee hee sorry. Hmmmmmm, yep that's a definite idea.
ROTFLMAO!!!!
When we 1st moved into our house about 10 yrs. ago, we had a new lawn put in. The place was really a muddy mess, so we bought rubber "booties" for our dog. I've lived a relatively long time, and have yet to see anything funnier than watching her try to get those boots off. She ended up rolling in the mud, shaking all 4 legs in the air, until they came loose.
I'd like to see some kind of harness to restrain a dog, while in a vehicle. These are available if you look hard, but they are difficult & awkward to use. If you could make a simple, safe, easy-to-use one, I'd snap it up in a N.Y. minute.
Or at least a Tampa minute.
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I totaly agree with Chely. I want to see some clothes that fit my 90 pound black lab!
Oh.. and a pink collar that doesn't cost $45!
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Mr. Versatile wrote:
When we 1st moved into our house about 10 yrs. ago, we had a new lawn put in. The place was really a muddy mess, so we bought rubber "booties" for our dog. I've lived a relatively long time, and have yet to see anything funnier than watching her try to get those boots off. She ended up rolling in the mud, shaking all 4 legs in the air, until they came loose.
I ahd to put baby socks on Beaner to keep her from sucking on her feet. I used Vet wrap to tape them on. But the weird thing was that she actually LIKED them. If one of the socks came off she would bring it to me with this look that said "Mama my scok came off. Fix it please" (she was a very polite pooper). And she would show them off to anyone who looked at them. "Look at me, look at me, I have socks, lookit lookit. lookit!" It was very exciting. Dam that dog was weird.
The car harness wouldn't be a hard thing to do.
I think about doing some bling bling on the collars too. Nobody has them for big dogs just for the little dogs. And I can probably do something for the kitties. I won't be only for poopers.
And I will definately do something like a TF discount or something since ya'll are so cool. May have to wait till it gets off the ground...or just start doing it now. And I will definately do stuff for any guinea pigs too, specially since I need to get customer feedback. So any volunteers would be greatly appreciated.
I may also do something with making blankets (crocheted and sewed). But I can't keep making blankets for my house. I know I get cold at 80 degrees and all but I think i have three blankets on my couch right now. And the freaking store keeps getting really cool stuff in that I have to play with. I have also made a whole messload of really cool scarves too (but they're girlie scarves) but I can't keep all these dern things. I may have to put those on ebay or something. haven't decided with those. Too many cool ideas, not enough time...or space.
I'll try to get started on some of this stuff soon and post pics so people can get an idea.
You can use Mack as a guinea pig, sure. He's such a good doobie when it comes to tolorating my fancies. lol!
You can't really get a good feel for it...I'll have to take a better pic for you.
This is Mack This past Spring and it's just a bit too big for him because he's 30lbs smaller than Rajah. I'll see if I can't hunt down a pic of Raj wearing it.
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Ill be a guinea pig for ya too.... even if i do have the little dog that everyone thinks its easy to find things for
Im with Mr. V when it comes to the seatbelt thing. We need one for Franlin but we cant find one anywhere, they are all to BIG, bulky and complicated togett hem to work. THe problem with having a Franlin (min pin) is he isnt a small dog in how he is built so all the little dog things dont work. We have trouble finding him harnesses, gental leaders, coats/sweaters, and shoes because of his shape. He has a short little muzzel and a tiny neck but his chest is HUGE in comparisson. Anything that fits around his neck ot right on his body and anything that fits on his body is HUGE for his neck. LIttle re-re shaped dog that i have.
TOys that he cant eat would be nice too. I got a soft toy up in Portland that is supposed to be indistructable.... its tripple stitched with 2 layers of heavey material and then a softer one on the outside. NIce thing about it too is that you cant hear the squeeker, but he can, do it doesnt get overly annoying. I would make acomment too about getting balls for smaller dogs to play with too... bit it sounds dirty... eh.. what the hell. THey make tiny tennis balls but they scare me, they are a little too small for my dog, but the normal size ones are a touch too big.... he can get them.... but its a really BIG stretch for him. So i guess this whole rant for a pararaphy is for medium sized toys for small(er) dogs.... ones that are too big for Paris Hilton to tote around like accessories
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Chelly I think I have an idea of what you want. I'll try and work on it at lunch (at least the design of it) but I will have to search for fabric and get with you about what measurements I need from Mack-n-cheez. I'll try and scan the design part on the computer and sending to you (that's if my computer feels like working).
You too pokes, but I think Franklin will have to be a custom thing since he's weird shaped. and if you are trying to find something to keep him from pulling the same people that put out the halti has a new harness out where the leash attaches at the front so the dogs attention comes back to you. I haven't tried it out but I'll see if I can get more info on it for ya.
and like I said before the toys are gonna be a little tough but I'll see what I can figure out.
I'll get Mack's stuff together and I'll even try and measure out the pattern of his current fleece. My fav feature is the velcro is along the top so it's easy on and easy off. Also, Mack has taken to is like a second skin...even knows how to step into the holes for his feet for us. He's a good pooper.
ps - Mack-n-cheese is one of his many ridiculous knick names.
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Well this may not have holes for the front feet. I'll send ya the proto type when I get it done. The hard part may be finding the materials but there are enough places around here. It may not be the prettiest because of the selection I may have but at least we'll have an idea and I may get something that we can write on for measurements and new cuts and such. But I think I'm getting ahead of myself.
and carmen I'm trying t find stuff for the jewels and how to attach it and stuff. That one is a little tougher to do, but I'm trying.
