The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

From Tech to Tail: How my sick pooch helped launch an Australian-first in pet healthcare

  • Written by Lloyd Hall, Founder of Wonderfur

It was my own family’s experience with our new COVID lockdown puppy called Lucky that inspired my two-year journey to develop a first-of-its-kind Australian pet health solution.

We had just acquired Lucky - our first-ever family pet – in 2021. He was an incredibly cute golden retriever, and there was a feeling of excitement in our family at his arrival, coupled with relief and freedom that accompanied Australia’s emergence from a protracted pandemic lockdown.

However, these positive feelings soon shifted to feelings of concern and worry as we noticed, within a short period of time, that all was not well with Lucky.

He started to have very bad diarrhoea and I was having to get up every night on the hour to attend to him as he was in a fair bit of distress.

It was very worrying and became worse, leading to a dermatological condition that caused him to constantly scratch, and an ear infection also developed – it was worse than having a sick child.

After multiple visits to the vet, the diarrhoea eventually settled, but not completely, and some of the other symptoms still lingered. Things were still not right with Lucky; even after all our efforts to seek help for him, he was not behaving like a healthy, energetic, rambunctious young golden retriever.

We began to lose hope of ever getting to the bottom of Lucky’s health issues, and that he may never get full relief from these unpleasant symptoms.

The lightbulb moment

But something in me still believed that there had to be some solution. It seemed extraordinary that there was no general gut or gastrointestinal preventative health remedy available for pets in Australian pet stores, online or even via the vet.

After exhausting all medicinal, pharmaceutical avenues, there were one or two strategies that we tried that were the only things that did seem to make a difference to Lucky’s gut health; this was to feed him exclusively raw foods, as opposed to processed, packaged food and also to stick to organic foods, and to give him a food ingredient called kefir - a fermented milk known to have potential benefits for gut health. These three options were the only things that seemed to support his gut health, provide relief for his dermatitis and other symptoms.

The problem was that these foods all have a very short shelf life, lasting no more than a couple of days, and they all come at a significantly higher cost. As much as we love Lucky, this was not very practical, affordable or convenient for us to keep up on a regular basis.

This led to a lightbulb moment for me. My career was in the tech industry, having worked for IBM previously and I am firmly of the belief that technology can transform lives; so I thought, how can I harness some of these skills to try to develop a solution myself, for the gap that I had identified in the Australian pet industry, through my own real-life experience with no way to address Lucky’s poor digestive health?

I wondered how many other Australians had experienced this with their own pets.

Research and education were key

I started to notice among all the pet health products in the Australian market, that most cat and dog treats and food are meat-based and do not address specific health needs of pets. So, I started to do some research and educate myself about the best processes for keeping raw ingredients fresh through the freeze-drying process. After extensive research and consultation and eventually a partnership with some reputable veterinary surgeons, laboratory scientists and animal nutritionists, my new pet health formulation, Wonderfur was born.

The cat and dog supplement is the first-of-its kind, evidence-based, patented freeze-drying technology in Australian animal health, sourced with only Australian farm-fresh ingredients and prepared in TGA-approved facilities.

One of our partners in the development of Wonderfur Bites, Dr Linda Simon is a veterinarian, and a member of the British Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. She consulted and supported me on the journey. Linda says the end result is that Wonderfur Bites is a pet health supplement of an unusually high quality, and dogs and cats also enjoy the taste.

Wonderfur Bites dog and cat supplements are made from all human grade ingredients. They contain green lipped muscles that help with joint pain and inflammation as well as lactose-free yogurts to support a healthy gastrointestinal system.

I love how these treats are freeze-dried; preserving the active compounds and ensuring the ingredients retain their natural potency. The colostrum, lactose-free kefir and inulin in these bites all work together to bolster the immune system and improve the body’s natural defences. Over time, this can lead to a smaller chance of getting sick and an improved ability to fight off any infection your dog or cat may face,” Dr Simon says.

Other key active ingredients in Wonderfur Bites which comes as a convenient cube-shaped supplement, that can be used as a food topper or treat/reward, include zinc, turmeric, which provides inflammatory and skin support and goji berry for immune health, eye, and skin health.

Booming pet healthcare market

I think this pet health solution is set to really take off in the Australian market, especially as a recent Animal Medicines Australia report revealed that from 2020 to 2022, pet ownership reached new heights in Australia as new owners took advantage of the opportunity afforded by flexible work from requirements imposed by the COVID pandemic. The report also found that 20% of Australians feed their pets expensive, premium/human food and $2.9 billion a year is spent on pet healthcare products.

I believe Wonderfur Bites pet supplement will help address the hidden problem of digestive health in Australian cats and dogs and that it leads to many more pets across Australia feeling much healthier and happier, with better gut health.

Wonderfur Bites are available to purchase in Australia online at wonderfur.com.au and depending on how it performs here, I have even bigger plans to roll the brand out globally.

RRP: $29.99 for packet of 25 cat or dog single serve packs. NET 50g



Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Food & Dining

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

Business Times

Navigating Leadership Mistakes with Confidence

I am always surprised by this question: How do leaders get over embarrassing mistakes and still succeed? The use of the w...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer exp...

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...