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Planning a custom pet product? Learn what to prepare before development, including product ideas, specifications, materials, target markets, order quantities, branding and packaging.
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https://pettimber.com/oem-odm-service/What to Prepare Before Developing a Custom Pet Product
Developing a custom pet product can start with something as simple as an idea, a sketch or a reference image.
You do not always need a complete product design before contacting a product development or manufacturing partner. However, having some basic information ready can make the process much clearer and more efficient.
Whether you are a pet brand, retailer or distributor planning a new product, preparing the right information can help with product evaluation, customization, sampling, production planning and quality requirements.
In this guide, we explain what you should prepare before starting a custom pet product project.
1. Start With Your Product Idea
The first thing you need is a clear idea of what you want to develop.
Your idea does not need to be technically complete.
It could be:
- A product concept
- A sketch
- A reference photo
- An existing product
- A product from another market
- A new feature you want to add
- A product category you want to explore
For example, you might want to develop:
A modern wooden cat house for small apartments.
That is already enough to begin a discussion.
You can then gradually define the details, such as size, materials, functions, colors and packaging.
The more clearly you can explain the purpose of the product, the easier it becomes to evaluate possible development options.
2. Collect Reference Images
Reference images are often one of the easiest ways to communicate a product idea.
You can provide:
- Photos of similar products
- Design inspiration
- Sketches
- Screenshots
- Existing product photos
- Product drawings
You do not necessarily need professional product drawings at the beginning.
For example, if you want to develop a cat litter cabinet, you could provide several reference images showing:
- The overall shape you prefer
- The type of doors
- Storage layout
- Material appearance
- Color
- Internal structure
This gives the development team a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve.
Tip
If you provide multiple reference images, explain what you like about each one.
For example:
“We like the structure from Image A, the color from Image B and the packaging concept from Image C.”
This is much more useful than simply sending a folder of images without explanation.
3. Define the Target Customer
Before developing a product, consider who will actually use and buy it.
Your target customer can influence the product design.
For example:
Apartment Cat Owners
A compact cat house may be more suitable for customers with limited living space.
Premium Pet Owners
Materials, finishes and overall design may need to reflect a higher-end positioning.
Value-Oriented Customers
The product may need to focus on practical functionality and cost efficiency.
Retail Customers
Packaging, assembly and shelf presentation may become more important.
Understanding your target customer helps determine what the product should achieve.
4. Identify Your Target Market
The country or market where the product will be sold can also affect development decisions.
Consider:
- Country or region
- Sales channel
- Retail positioning
- Customer expectations
- Packaging requirements
- Product requirements
- Shipping considerations
For example, a product designed for an online marketplace may need different packaging considerations from a product sold through physical retail stores.
Similarly, products intended for different markets may have different requirements.
The earlier these considerations are discussed, the easier it can be to identify potential issues during development.
5. Prepare Basic Product Specifications
You do not need to have a complete technical specification before starting.
However, it helps to prepare any information you already know.
This may include:
Dimensions
Approximate length, width and height.
Materials
Preferred wood, fabric, metal, plastic or other materials.
Colors
Preferred colors, finishes or surface treatments.
Functions
What the product should do.
Structure
Any important structural or assembly requirements.
Weight
If there is a target product weight or weight limitation.
Assembly
Whether the product should be assembled by the customer or arrive fully assembled.
Even approximate information can help start the conversation.
6. Think About Materials Early
Material selection can affect many parts of a product.
For example, changing the material may affect:
- Appearance
- Weight
- Durability
- Production methods
- Cost
- Packaging
- Shipping
For wooden pet furniture, you may need to consider factors such as:
- Wood type
- Board thickness
- Surface finish
- Hardware
- Fabric
- Cushion materials
You do not necessarily need to know the perfect material before development.
Instead, you can communicate your preferences and requirements, then evaluate suitable options during the development process.
7. Decide How Much Customization You Need
One of the most important questions is:
How different does the product need to be from an existing product?
There are several levels of customization.
Basic Customization
Examples:
- Logo
- Label
- Packaging
- Color
- Finish
Product Modification
Examples:
- Different dimensions
- Modified structure
- Different materials
- Additional features
New Product Development
Examples:
- New product design
- New structure
- New functionality
- Completely new product concept
Understanding the level of customization you need can help determine the development process.
If you are interested in the difference between OEM and private label, see our guide:
OEM vs Private Label Pet Products: What’s the Difference?
8. Prepare Your Branding Requirements
If the product will be sold under your own brand, think about branding early.
Branding requirements may include:
- Logo
- Brand name
- Logo placement
- Product labeling
- Color guidelines
- Packaging
- Instruction manuals
- Inserts
- Stickers
- Barcodes
If you already have brand guidelines, logos or packaging designs, prepare them before the sample stage.
This can help ensure that branding is considered as part of the product development process rather than added at the very end.
9. Consider Packaging From the Beginning
Packaging is often overlooked during product development.
However, packaging can affect the overall product design.
Consider:
- Retail packaging
- Shipping packaging
- Protective materials
- Flat-pack packaging
- Assembly instructions
- Product labels
- Barcodes
- Brand presentation
For larger pet furniture products, flat-pack packaging may be particularly important because it can affect:
- Carton dimensions
- Shipping efficiency
- Storage
- Assembly
- Product protection
Thinking about packaging early can help avoid redesigning the product later.
10. Estimate Your Order Quantity
You do not need to know the exact order quantity before starting a project.
However, an approximate estimate can be helpful.
For example:
- Initial test order
- Small launch quantity
- Regular production volume
- Seasonal order
- Expected annual volume
Order quantity can influence:
- Material sourcing
- Production planning
- Packaging
- Product development decisions
- Overall cost structure
If you are not sure about the quantity, simply provide an estimated range.
For example:
“We are considering an initial order of approximately 500–1,000 units.”
That is much more useful than leaving the quantity completely undefined.
11. Define Your Target Price
If you have a target product cost, it can be helpful to communicate it.
For example:
Target product cost: USD 20–25.
A target price can help determine whether the current product concept is realistic.
It may also influence:
- Material selection
- Product structure
- Packaging
- Manufacturing methods
- Product features
However, the target price should be considered together with the product requirements.
A very low target cost combined with complex customization may require adjustments to the original concept.
12. Think About Quality Requirements
Quality expectations should be discussed before production.
Consider what is most important for your product.
This could include:
- Material quality
- Dimensions
- Appearance
- Surface finish
- Construction
- Structural stability
- Functionality
- Packaging
For example, for a wooden cat house, you may have specific expectations regarding:
- Surface smoothness
- Structural stability
- Assembly accuracy
- Hardware
- Finish
- Packaging protection
You do not need to create a complete inspection checklist yourself.
But identifying your key quality expectations early can help make the development process clearer.
You can also learn more about this topic in our Quality Control guide.
13. Prepare Any Compliance or Market Requirements
Depending on the product and target market, there may be specific product, material, labeling or packaging requirements that need to be considered.
Before development, identify whether your target market has requirements that could affect the product.
For example:
- Product labeling
- Packaging information
- Material requirements
- Testing requirements
- Safety considerations
- Import requirements
The exact requirements depend on the product and destination market.
If you are unsure, it is better to raise the question early rather than discover a potential requirement after production has started.
14. Decide What Success Looks Like
Before development begins, define what you want the final product to achieve.
For example:
“We want a compact cat house that looks premium, is easy to assemble and can be shipped efficiently.”
This is more useful than focusing only on appearance.
Think about:
Function
What problem does the product solve?
Design
What should it look like?
Customer
Who is it designed for?
Price
What price range should it fit?
Market
Where will it be sold?
Differentiation
Why should customers choose it over similar products?
These questions help turn a product idea into a clearer development direction.
A Simple Custom Product Preparation Checklist
Before contacting a development or manufacturing partner, you can use this checklist:
□ Product idea
□ Reference images or sketches
□ Target customer
□ Target market
□ Approximate dimensions
□ Preferred materials
□ Product functions
□ Customization requirements
□ Branding requirements
□ Packaging requirements
□ Estimated order quantity
□ Target price
□ Quality expectations
□ Applicable market requirementsYou do not need to have every item completed.
Even if you only have a product idea and a few reference images, you can still begin the discussion.
What If You Don’t Have a Complete Product Design?
This is a common situation.
Many projects do not start with a finished technical drawing.
You may simply have:
“I want to develop something similar to this, but with a different size and design.”
That can be enough to start.
A product development process can gradually define:
Product Idea
↓
Reference Images
↓
Product Requirements
↓
Development
↓
Sample
↓
Review
↓
Adjustments
↓
Final ProductThe important thing is to communicate what you want the product to achieve.
The technical details can then be clarified during the development process.
What PetTimber Can Help With
PetTimber supports brands, retailers and distributors developing and customizing pet products.
Depending on the project, support may include:
- Product sourcing
- Product development coordination
- Product customization
- Sample development
- Manufacturing coordination
- Packaging support
- Quality follow-up
- Delivery coordination
You can start with an existing product, a reference image or an early-stage product concept.
Our role is to help connect the different stages of the project and move the product toward production.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a custom pet product project does not mean having every detail finalized before contacting a manufacturing partner.
The most important thing is to have a clear understanding of:
- What you want to develop
- Who the product is for
- Where it will be sold
- What level of customization you need
- What your approximate order quantity is
- What quality requirements matter most
Reference images, sketches and basic specifications can provide a strong starting point.
From there, product requirements can be refined through development and sampling before production.
A well-prepared project is easier to communicate, evaluate and coordinate.
Ready to Start Your Custom Pet Product Project?
Have a product idea but don’t know where to start?
Share your:
- Product idea
- Reference images
- Target market
- Estimated order quantity
- Customization requirements
You don’t need to have everything finalized.
Start with what you have, and we can discuss the next steps.
START YOUR PROJECT →
FAQ
Do I need a complete product design before contacting a manufacturer?
No. You can start with a product idea, reference images, sketches or an existing product. The required information depends on the complexity of the project.
What information should I provide for a custom pet product?
Useful information includes the product concept, reference images, target market, approximate dimensions, materials, functions, customization, order quantity and packaging requirements.
Do I need to know the exact material?
Not necessarily. You can provide your preferred material or describe the appearance and performance you need. Suitable options can then be discussed during development.
How many units do I need to order?
The appropriate order quantity depends on the product, materials, customization and production requirements. An estimated quantity or range is usually enough to start a discussion.
Can I customize an existing pet product?
Yes. Depending on the product, customization may include dimensions, materials, colors, finishes, branding and packaging.
Can I develop a product from only a reference image?
In many cases, yes. A reference image can provide a useful starting point. Additional requirements can then be clarified during the development process.