Pet care

Recent years have seen a spike in the number of people around the world introducing pets into their lives. The surge in pet ownership has naturally led to increased demand for pet care products and services. Even before this, Finns have had an affection for four-legged friends and have come up with a number of exciting pet-friendly solutions.

The local pet sector is continuously developing. Here are five ways to make pets healthier and happier.

TRACKING PET HEALTH INFORMATION: PAWESOMER

Developed by ITfox in co-operation with the University of Helsinki’s faculty of veterinary medicine, Pawesomer is a web-based application that assists dog and cat owners in maintaining their pets’ important health, medication and wellbeing data. Known under the name of TassuApu on the Finnish market, the digital platform is accessible on any device and is also available for service providers, such as veterinarians and animal physiotherapists.

Moreover, Pawesomer has exclusive digital rights to the clinically validated Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI) for dogs. Developed by Anna Hielm-Björkman, a veterinary medicine researcher at the University of Helsinki, this pioneering assessment tool helps to detect, measure and evaluate chronic pain in dogs and, as a result, improve their quality of life.

“Nutrition, weight, exercise and pain all affect the animal’s wellbeing, and that is the most important message of our service,” explained Anssi Ruuhikorpi, founder and CEO of ITfox. “Listing these things for yourself will help if, for example, the veterinarian changes. By using the pain meter, the owner also learns to better interpret their dog.”

GETTING OVER SEPARATION ANXIETY: DIGITAL DOGSITTER

This digital solution helps dog owners to train their pets to stay home alone and alleviates the symptoms of separation anxiety and isolation distress in a natural way. The idea was born out of a need to solve the real-life problem which Juuso Kaari faced when he moved to a new apartment: his Welsh corgi, Väinö, kept on barking and howling when left home alone, causing discomfort to the neighbours.

The Digital Dogsitter web application tracks the sound and location of the dog and plays the owner’s pre-recorded voice whenever the dog starts barking, which is reported to have a soothing effect. With Digital Dogsitter, owners can also see and hear in real time how their dogs are doing and get a detailed visual report of the day’s events.

Each dog’s individual reaction to the solution, however, needs to be observed, as some dogs have behavioural problems beyond the help of an app. In such cases, Digital Dogsitter can also offer tips and assistance from professional dog trainers on how to “make home a better place for dogs”.

“Addressing separation anxiety is about understanding and tackling the root of the issue, not just silencing the symptoms,” Kaari wrote in a blog post. “Our dogs need us to provide a secure and comfortable environment, which in turn benefits our own mental wellbeing.”

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE: REPOLAR PHARMACEUTICALS

This Finnish family business focuses on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of various treatment products for both people and animals based on Norway spruce (Picea abies) resin and its active substances, which are known for their antimicrobial and healing-promoting properties. The spruce resin is collected by hand in northern Lapland using a method that respects nature and doesn’t harm trees. The resin is then purified and refined using Repolar’s patented technology.

Pet owners can now choose from Repolar’s range of safe and innovative products designed for treating wounds and infections, insect stings and tick bites, as well as skin problems. To unlock the full potential of spruce resin, the company is strengthening its scientific and clinical evidence and is actively co-operating with international partners in developing new efficient healthcare products.

“Nature-based products are seen positively around the world, but the challenge is their varying quality. Some work, some do not. This why we emphasise scientific research,” the company told us earlier. “Everything we do and what we claim about our products is based on medical research.”

REWARDING A DOG IN A FUN WAY: TRAIN’N’TREAT

Train’N’Treat aims to revolutionise the way dog owners train and interact with their pets. The brand’s flagship product, a treat dispenser that can be loaded with hot dogs, cheese, cucumber and other treats, is designed to make reward-based dog training more effective and enjoyable. The neat design also enables dog owners to keep their hands and pockets clean and free of crumbs.

Sidebay, the Jyväskylä-based company behind the brand, takes pride in being able to control the entire production chain and minimise the carbon footprint of the product. Made from a wood-based biocomposite material developed by Stora Enso and high-quality stainless steel, Train’N’Treat accessories are produced locally in Finland and are made to last.

“The unique treat dispenser seamlessly integrates training and rewarding, fostering harmony between dogs and their human companions,” said CEO Sami Syrjälahti. “This interactive device not only stimulates dogs mentally and physically but also cultivates positive behaviour through a blend of training exercises and rewarding treats. Our mission is crystal clear: to infuse the lives of dogs and their owners with more joy and convenience.”

A SUSTAINABLE FOOD CHOICE: ALVAR PET

A lot has been said recently about the carbon footprint of food consumed by people, yet pet food and its impact on the planet have been largely neglected. Until now. With its eco-friendly dog delivery service, launched in 2020, Alvar Pet is on a mission to minimise the carbon “pawprint” of pets.

The startup offers dog food, treats, chews, supplements and more delivered right to the customer’s door and ensures sustainable choices are made along the entire operational chain. The dog food is made from Nordic ingredients, including meat, game, fish, insects, oats and faba beans, using wind power. The packaging is fully recyclable, and the carbon emissions are compensated.

“As dogs become an increasingly popular and prominent part of our lives, their environmental impact must be addressed,” commented CEO Ilari Haataja. “The industry has failed to offer sustainable solutions to conscious dog owners.”

The promising business idea has gone down well with Nordic investors. In 2020, Alvar Pet raised one million euros in a seed funding round to fuel its expansions to new markets and secured in 2023 significant media-for-equity growth funding from 8 Media Ventures to raise awareness about the brand in Finland and Sweden.