How we test gear before we stock it

Every product on our shelves has been tried by our own pets or our customers’ before we stock it. Here is how that works, and why we drop about a third of what we test.

When a new harness, leash or collar comes in from a supplier, it goes first to Kuttan, our own indie, and to two or three regular customers’ dogs of different sizes. They use it daily for four weeks. We check how it fits after the first wash, whether the buckles loosen, how the stitching holds and whether it rubs under the legs. A harness that chafes even one dog does not come in.

Toys get a tougher test. We give samples to six customers with dogs known for chewing and ask them to report after two weeks. Many toys sold as tough last less than a day. Our cat toys go to Pappu, who lives in the store, and to cat-owning staff.

Bowls go through the dishwasher a hundred times. We look for chipping, fading and whether the base still grips the floor. Beds are washed five times and dried in the Kochi monsoon, which tells us quickly which fillings go lumpy. Food is not tested this way, since every pet is different. Instead we check ingredients, ask our customers’ vets what they see and keep sample packs. If we drop a product, we tell regular buyers and suggest an alternative.