A business idea was born from a wee Dunedin dog’s need to have her teeth brushed.
University of Otago entrepreneurship masters student Kirsten Anderson said as her 7-year-old miniature schnauzer Ruby was getting older, she needed her teeth cleaned more regularly.
The only effective way to clean a dog’s teeth was to have it anaesthetised for a vet to clean its teeth — a process which could cost up to $1000.
"I’m a student and can’t afford to have her teeth cleaned four times a year."
To combat the problem she designed Canine Clean — a device placed in the mouth of a dog to make teeth cleaning easier.
"It customises itself to the dog’s teeth and massages the plaque and calculus away. While the dog is chewing away and having a great time it’s cleaning its teeth."
She declined to go into detail on the device, as she was working on obtaining intellectual property rights for it.
A clean would take about 15 minutes and cost $150.
"It’s a massive shift in cost and efficiency."
Her market research showed vets would sell the product because they do not like cleaning dog’s teeth.
The dream was to develop the product and launch a franchise to train franchise owners how to use it.
Under the model, customers would pay an annual $600 membership to get their dog’s teeth cleaned quarterly.
"A lot of people don’t realise they have to look after their dog’s teeth."
At the Audacious prizegiving in Dunedin last month Canine Clean won the best physical product winner prize of $500 cash and mentoring, and the most audacious prize of $500.
"It’s an out-there idea."
