Our Story & Inventor
Our Pet Project
We would do anything to make sure Pip, our beloved Havanese dog, enjoyed and benefited from her meals. One evening after preparing her favourite chicken dinner, we placed the cutting board on the floor as a special treat, juices and all.
Pip’s natural instincts immediately kicked in. She sniffed, licked, explored, and moved around the board for a full 15 minutes until every speck was gone. She finished with a wagging tail and a look of total satisfaction. That moment changed everything.
Like many pet parents, we had spent a lot of time and care choosing what to feed Pip. But we hadn’t truly considered how we were feeding her.
That night sparked a mission.
Combining our backgrounds in research and design, we began developing a feeding surface that would reflect how dogs and cats naturally eat. We studied instinctive behaviours like licking, sniffing, foraging, and tracking. We explored how pets interact with food, how stress and speed impact digestion, and how to make mealtime more enriching.
After years of testing and refining, the Original mine Pet Platter was born. Its unique curves, indentations, and surface design activate instinctive behaviours and offer pets a mentally stimulating and rewarding mealtime experience.
We shared it with family and friends. Word spread quickly. More and more pets began benefiting from instinct-based feeding, and we knew we had created something meaningful.
We spent over three years working with our partners in the United States to find the right materials and ensure safe, sustainable, food-grade quality. Today, we’re proud to offer the platter to pet lovers across the country.
Meet the Inventor: Dr. Carol Smeja
The Original mine Pet Platter was developed by Dr. Carol Smeja, a behavioral researcher with over 30 years of experience in psychology, design strategy, and innovation.
Carol’s work focuses on the connection between environment and behavior. She holds a PhD in psychology and has led behavioral research projects across education, wellness, and consumer products. Her deep understanding of how animals interact with their surroundings is what shaped the Pet Platter.
With a careful eye on both science and practical everyday use, Carol designed the platter to meet pets where they are. She continues to lead research and development at Our Pet Project, always with the goal of supporting healthier, happier pets through behavior-driven design.