I have an idea for a new product that I can’t find anywhere. I want it for both personal use and to sell in my pet supply shop. It’s a pet toothbrush that:
has the double-bent/double-headed handle that you see in all pet toothbrushes
is available in different handle colors
has very soft bristles, like a human “soft bristle” toothbrush
I’ve researched my shop suppliers and also cheap Chinese suppliers (not that they are acceptable but I wanted to see if anybody was making these), and even reached out to Colgate for leads (no dice, trade secrets, you know) and I can’t find this combination of features in a product. Dog toothbrushes are sometimes labeled as having soft bristles but they never are, they feel like “hard” human brushes. I found actual soft bristles marketed on brushes for geriatric dogs (why?), but they only come in one handle color, are usually packaged singly and with some toothpaste. Brushes are also available in different colors, but when they’re sold in multipacks, they’re all the same color. People like me who have multiple dogs and want to keep good hygiene for them want each dog to have their own brush so they need to be identifiable as “spot’s brush” and “fido’s brush”.
A little deeper research into general toothbrush manufacturing tells me that some brushes marketed as having antibiotic properties contain xylitol in the nylon bristles. This is toxic to dogs, so I can’t have that. The bristles need to be non-toxic nylon or plastic.
I don’t have time to prototype and manufacture this myself, so I want to work with a maker or other creative person who knows how to 3D print/manufacture them in small lots. I’d test them on my dogs and also test-sell them in my shop. Anybody here want to brainstorm with me how I can go about this or find someone to work with?