The Story Behind Thrivvy: Helping Dogs Thrive Through Better Hydration
We are incredibly excited to be joining Paws in the Park as a Bronze Sponsor and celebrating a day dedicated to dogs, community and animal wellbeing.
My name is Claudette Merrick, and I am the founder of Thrivvy. I have worked in animal care, behaviour, training, welfare and education for more than 35 years. Throughout my career, I have seen how the everyday choices we make can have a meaningful impact on an animal’s health, behaviour and overall quality of life.
This experience inspired me to create Thrivvy a Gold Coast business combining practical dog-adventure products with accessible animal-welfare education.
Why Thrivvy Currently Focuses on Water
Thrivvy currently focuses on something that may seem simple but is essential to every dog’s wellbeing: water.
Water is the body’s most important nutrient. It supports digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, nutrient transport and normal organ function. It also helps dogs remain comfortable, active and ready to engage with the world around them.
However, providing fresh water while away from home is not always as easy as it should be especially when you have a fussy drinker like my dog, Bear.
Bear has always been a complete water snob! When we were out, he refused to drink from communal dog bowls and would not even drink from the portable plastic bowl I carried for him. No matter what I offered, he simply was not interested.
When I began trialling the Thrivvy bottle and offered him cool, fresh water from the detachable stainless-steel bowl, he loved it and drank without hesitation. That sold me! Seeing the difference it made for Bear reinforced how much the freshness, temperature and type of drinking bowl can matter to an individual dog.
Like many dog owners, I was also tired of juggling a water bottle, separate bowls, treats, waste bags, keys and my phone every time we went for a walk or an adventure.
I was often carrying plastic bottles and bowls, and sometimes the water had been sitting in the car long enough to become warm and stale. I wanted one practical, reusable option that would keep my dogs’ water cool and fresh, provide a stainless-steel drinking bowl and reduce our reliance on disposable plastic products.
These everyday challenges and one very particular dog—became the inspiration for the Thrivvy 3-in-1 Companion Travel Water Bottle.
A Practical and More Sustainable Choice
The Thrivvy bottle is made from durable stainless steel, holds one litre of water and is designed to keep water cool and fresh for longer.
It also includes two detachable stainless-steel bowls that can be used for water, food or treats, helping dog owners carry what they need in one convenient product.
Because the bottle and bowls are reusable, they offer a more sustainable alternative to disposable water bottles and single-use bowls while walking, travelling, cafe dates, camping or attending dog-friendly events.
My goal was to create a product that made adventures easier for dog owners without losing sight of what matters most the comfort and wellbeing of the dog.
Hydration and the Five Domains of Animal Welfare
Thrivvy’s approach is guided by the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare:
Nutrition
Environment
Health
Behavioural
Mental State
Water begins within the Nutrition Domain because every dog needs regular access to clean, fresh water.
Hydration also supports the Health Domain by helping the body function normally and reducing the discomfort associated with thirst and overheating.
The Physical Environment influences a dog’s hydration needs as well. Warm weather, humidity, exercise, travel and limited access to shade can all increase the amount of water a dog requires.
When dogs are hydrated, healthy and comfortable within their environment, they are better able to enjoy positive Behavioural Interactions such as walking, sniffing, playing, training and exploring.
Together, these first four domains contribute to the fifth domain the animal’s Mental State.
When a dog’s nutritional, environmental, health and behavioural needs are supported, they are more likely to experience positive feelings such as comfort, enjoyment, curiosity and security.
This is why hydration is about much more than simply offering a drink. Something as fundamental as fresh water can influence many areas of a dog’s overall welfare and contribute to a more positive mental state.
Why Thrivvy Is Sponsoring Paws in the Park
Thrivvy is incredibly proud to sponsor Paws in the Park because the event brings together everything our brand values: dogs, families, local businesses, education, community and a genuine commitment to animal wellbeing.
Events like Paws in the Park create wonderful opportunities for dogs and their people to spend quality time together, discover local businesses and learn more about supporting their animals.
For me, Thrivvy is about more than creating a product. It is about starting conversations around hydration, behaviour, comfort and the everyday experiences that help our dogs live positive and fulfilling lives.
A portion of proceeds from every Thrivvy sale also supports animal-welfare initiatives, allowing each purchase to make a difference beyond our own pets.
We will also be celebrating Thrivvy’s first birthday, making this wonderful community event even more special for us. So we will have a few specials and giveaways.
We look forward to meeting plenty of dogs, connecting with fellow animal lovers and helping make your next adventure together a little easier.
We cannot wait to be at Paws in the Park! Please come and visit the Thrivvy stall, meet the us, explore our products and tell us all about your dog!
