“We love our dog DouDou very much.”
This was what sisters Lim Zi Qi and Lim Zi Xuan repeatedly emphasised throughout the conversation with WeirdKaya. Their love for the family dog wasn’t just mere words – it was apparent in the stories they shared and actions that eventually led to the creation of Dousnack.
It all began when the sisters realised that DouDou was allergic to most processed dog snacks, making it unable to enjoy snacking. “It’s quite a pity to not have anything to snack on, so I would often make something for him on my own,” said Zi Qi.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to sweep across Malaysia, both sisters had their lives turned upside down in ways they never imagined. Zi Qi, who worked as an air stewardess, found herself grounded indefinitely and no end in sight to her dilemma. At the same time, Zi Xuan could not return to Beijing to finish her final year of study.
“Amid the confusion, I remembered about some of the outstanding and creative marketing strategies used by shops selling pet snacks in Beijing. Since we had ample time, I discussed the possibility of starting up a business together with my sisters. Zi Qi brought up the idea of selling handmade snacks and I encouraged her to go for it since she had been making handmade snacks for DouDou,” recounted Zi Xuan.
Zi Qi said that she had the plan in mind for quite some time, but her job as an air stewardess kept her busy. “When MCO came along, I decided that perhaps it was the best time to try it out since my sisters are also encouraging me.”
After intensive research online, the sisters bought their very first air-dry machine and began experimenting with the temperatures and ingredients to produce the perfect dog snacks. Six months later, they launched Dousnack on Halloween last year.
Natural, Healthy, Adventurous
At Dousnack, everything is handmade by Zi Qi and her team. Despite referring to the Internet, most of their snacks are based on their careful research on nutrition facts and creativity, to make sure their products are of high quality. “Providing pets natural and healthy snacks was the reason behind our business’ existence,” said Zi Qi. “Thus, all of our ingredients have to be fresh from the market.”
Before starting Dousnack, Zi Xuan said that she never knew how to identify different kinds of vegetables. “But now, I can recognise each vegetable and determine which is best for a specific kind of snack,” she declares confidently.
Most think that making dog snacks is a walk in the park, but Zi Qi says it is a complicated and strenuous process. “Excessive fat might be unhealthy to pets, so we always make sure we clear off as much as we can. It’s also physically exhausting to remove the tendons and fat from 10kg of meat every day.”
As the sisters got a better hold of the business, they began to produce the snacks in bulk, but one incident nearly threatened to destroy all their hard work. “We were making our Kool Duck Biscuits, and there’s a heart-shaped slice of cheese on top of every piece. One day, however, the cheese melted, and everything was ruined. The thought of having to throw them all out gave me a heart attack,” recalled Zi Qi. Fortunately, the sisters managed to save it in the end
Despite such setbacks, Zi Qi and Zi Xuan see their business as one big adventure, where they exhibit the spirit of innovation in both their snacks and website.
Zi Xuan, who’s in charge of marketing, attributes her interest to the strategies she encountered in China. “I love observing how others manage their brand and apply it to our business with creativity and charisma. I always think of how Dousnack can stand out in the market after witnessing those brilliant strategies. It is the reason why we spend so much time in designing and decorating our snacks.”
The sisters also believe that high quality and eye-catching snacks will help strengthen the bond between the master and pet. “As most people regard their pets as part of the family, we hope that our snacks can bring delight for both humans and animals alike,” said Zi Xuan.
Pet-friendly environment
Through this business, Zi Qi and Zi Xuan have met pet lovers from all over Malaysia, including a few from Singapore. While courier issues occasionally give them a headache, they are nevertheless grateful to have received help and support from pet owners, pet grooming shop owners, veterinarian, etc.
In return, the sisters aim to transform Dousnack into a social enterprise that would improve the overall atmosphere for dogs in Malaysia. “Not only do we share our products on our website and social media platforms, but also information about pets’ health to better connect with owners,” said Zi Xuan.
Due to cultural and religious factors, the current environment remains rather unfriendly for dogs. “We understand there are restrictions in our way, but the pets are innocent. While we do not hope to change anyone’s mind, all we ask is public respect for both the pets and their owners,” explained Zi Qi. Thankfully, they’ve noticed a slight improvement as more shops and condominiums allow pets to be kept, provided they do not roam in the common area.
With the “everything is possible” mindset, the sisters are committed to upholding the ideology of raising public awareness in treating their pets humanely. They also plan to take things step-by-step on their side.
Interested in joining the pet-friendly army or buying your pet some snacks? Check them out at www.dousnack.com and follow their Instagram @dousnack!
Cover photos courtesy of Dousnack
Source: Dousnack
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
