Mella Pet Care is making waves in the world of pet healthcare technology. They’ve been creating quite a buzz with their pet health devices including the first-ever accurate underarm thermometer for pets, a body fat analyzer, a chip reader, a pulse ox, and more. And now they’re all set to take center stage on Season 15 of ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank”, airing this Friday, March 1, 2024, at 8 pm ET. Before their big splash, we had the pleasure to chat with Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Ben Seidman about his expectations, experiences, and insights on pet tech’s future.
From the world’s first accurate, non-invasive underarm thermometer for our feline friends and canine companions, Mella Pet Care is certainly not just another startup in Chicago. It’s transforming pet care technology to empower pet parents and improve veterinary care. With a riveting mission, they stand before Sharks Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Daniel Lubetzky. But before the world gets to see Mella’s moment in the Tank, we took a deep dive to reveal the passion and vision that drives this innovative brand.
Q & A with Ben Seidman from Mella Pet Care
Catington Post: What inspired you to bring your pet product to Shark Tank, and how do you believe it aligns with the interests and expertise of the Sharks?
Ben: We believe that our non-invasive monitoring devices should be in every household across the US. Just like parents have a thermometer for their human babies, a thermometer for your pet is a first line of defense to determine if they need to go to the veterinarian.
Our pet-friendly devices align with the Sharks as Mr. Wonderful previously invested in Basepaws, a pet company, and Mark Cuban owns Cost Plus Drugs. The Sharks understand both the pet industry and healthcare technology.
CP: What was the most challenging aspect of presenting your pet product on Shark Tank, and how did you overcome it?
Ben: The most challenging aspect of presenting our ecosystem stems from the fact that there is a slight educational barrier to our product. Most individuals don’t understand the importance of taking their pet’s temperature. We were able to overcome this challenge by doing a live demo of our thermometer on our show dog, Obie while teaching the Sharks why temperature is such an important vital sign.
CP: You probably can’t give away if you got a deal or not, but can you share any behind-the-scenes anecdotes or memorable moments from your experience in the Tank?
Ben: Unfortunately we’re not able to share behind the scenes content but we can share how we felt. What was apparent to us was how the Sharks are humans at the end of the day. After we got past the bright lights, we realized that we were the experts in the room and with that, we had more power than we thought.
CP: In what ways do you envision the future of pet health tech evolving, and how does your product contribute to this vision?
Ben: The world of pet health is evolving towards innovation for both veterinary clinics and pet parent households. Veterinarians will soon exclusively use Fear Free devices that seamlessly integrate into their workflow, saving precious time and energy. On the other hand, pet parents across the US will be able to bring vital signs monitoring to their homes, empowering them to take control of their pet’s temperature. Our devices are the first to do so both in the clinic and in the pet parent household.
CP: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the pet product industry or pitch their ideas on Shark Tank?
Ben: There is often a stereotype in the pet industry that pet products are too niche or too complicated. Let our experience show otherwise. The industry is an untapped gold mine, and every pet entrepreneur should consider pitching on Shark Tank. The future of pet care capitalizes on millions of pet parents who will spend time, money, and energy taking care of their furry friends.
Final Thoughts
Concluding our insightful exchange with Ben Seidman, it’s clear Mella Pet Care is not merely revolutionizing pet health tech but is also setting a precedent for compassionate innovation in the pet industry.
Don’t miss Mella’s pitch on Shark Tank this Friday at 8 pm ET. To keep tabs on their impressive range of pet health solutions or to learn more, visit Mella Pet Care’s website.
We extend our warm wishes to the Mella team. Here’s to healthier, happier pets, and the technology that supports them!
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