I’m thinking about selling homemade pet treats — can I really make money?
🐾 The market for homemade pet treats is expected to grow 9.4% through 2032.
🐾 49% of dog owners look for Made in the USA pet treats and prefer no artificial ingredients or preservatives and low-ingredient or grain-free recipes.
🐾 Chews and treats have high profit margins. Chew profit margins can be as high as 70%, while organic and gourmet pet food margins are around 40%.
🐾 Treats are recession-proof, as 51% of pet parents splurge on safe, ethically sourced treats even as prices rise.
Selling homemade cat and dog treats is more than a tempting side hustle idea — it can be a seriously profitable business.
Starting a homemade pet treats business might be a natural next step if you love baking, already make treats for your own pets, or want to add to your existing pet services. Still, it’s easy to get bogged down in the rules of starting a business before you bake a single pupcake.
Need clear, simple steps to sell pet treats legally and successfully? This guide is for you. We’ll cover all of these pet treat business basics with links to helpful resources:
- What business licenses and permits do I actually need?
- How do I ensure my pet treats are safe and meet FDA regulations?
- What kinds of treats sell well, and what should I make?
- What type of equipment or kitchen do I need?
- How do I find customers and set the right prices?
- How and where do I sell my pet treats to make a profit?
Download our free starting a pet treats business checklist to tick off the steps. Let’s get cooking!
1. Make Your Pet Treat Business Licensed & Legal
Organizing the operational side of things isn’t the glamorous part of selling pet treats, but it’ll help you avoid expenses and legal issues later. These steps will get you set up for tax season, protected against liability and ready with a business strategy:
Pick a name
Your registration paperwork needs a business name, so check out our pet food business names blog ahead of time for ideas. Homemade pet treats business names should reflect your brand personality, products, and price point
Select a business structure
Business status (for example, sole proprietorship or LLC) determines legal liability and how you file your taxes. Not sure where to start? The Small Business Administration has a simple guide to choosing a business structure.
Register your business
Business registration rules vary by state but typically involve registering with the federal and state governments and paying a registration fee. For a more detailed walkthrough, read the steps to register a pet business.
Apply for an EIN
An EIN, or employer identification number, IDs your business for tax and employment purposes. You can apply for an EIN with the IRS for free.
Open a business bank account
Separating your business income and payments from your personal accounts is a smart idea to simplify tax filing and profit tracking.
Get insurance
Pet businesses need liability insurance to sell treats without the risk of allergic reactions or foodborne illnesses leading to lawsuit costs. Pet food manufacturing insurance, like this policy from our partner FLIP, can cover your biggest risks.
Create a pet business plan
Filling out a pet business plan template like this one is an extra step now that you’ll thank yourself for later. (Plus, it looks great to the bank or investors if you need to secure a small business loan or extra funding.)
Can I Add Homemade Pet Treats to an Existing Pet Care Business?
Absolutely! Selling pet treats is a popular way to add a little retail boost to pet care services. Here are a few ways homemade pet treats might elevate a pet care business:
- Sell pet treats at the counter of your grooming salon.
- Create and market treats for your dog training business.
- Offer a dog-friendly pupcake as an à la carte upcharge for pet sitters.
- Bake up a treat of the day for dog walker or doggy daycare packages.
- Offer homemade pet treats as thank-you gifts or loyalty rewards.
- Start a pet treat subscription box.
Pro Tip: The risks of food and product sales differ from animal care, so pet treat manufacturing insurance is a must, along with your existing pet business insurance. Weigh the monthly cost of an extra premium and pet treat startup costs against your expected profits to decide whether selling pet treats is the right side hustle for you.
2. Follow the Regulations for Safety & Transparency
Like human food, pet treats have to meet federal standards to be deemed safe, truthfully labeled, and legal to sell. Following regulations might seem like a lot at first, but don’t let the process keep you from starting. Fill out a few forms, pay some fees, and you’ll be licensed and ready to sell. Let’s walk through the process.
Do Dog Treats Need to Be FDA-Approved?
You have to follow FDA guidelines to sell pet treats legally. Pet treat businesses are less regulated than pet food businesses, but there are still three main regulatory agencies you need to know:
- The Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates pet food in the US. You’ll need to fill out some paperwork for them to sell treats.
- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) advises the FDA on how to set its policies. You won’t need to send them any paperwork, but the AAFCO website has tons of helpful info about safety and labeling. (It’s also a little easier to digest than the FDA website.)
- State and local animal feed programs have their own licensing, registration, and facilities paperwork requirements. Check your local rules using this map to find the contact info for your state officials. Give their office a call and they’ll lay out exactly what you need to turn in.
Explain Pet Treat Safety Regulations, But Make It Simple
These are the key FDA requirements for an in-home business to sell homemade pet treats safely:
- Submit registration as a food facility and turn in your Qualified Facility Attestation Module on the FDA website if you’re not an in-home business or if your state requires it.
- Notify the FDA via the Reportable Food Registry if, at any time, you have reason to believe your treats were contaminated and could be harmful. (Hopefully you’ll never need to.)
- Comply with food safety regulations.
- Use ingredients that are safe, approved, and labeled clearly by pet food guidelines.
- Follow state and local guidance for registration as a pet food business and per-recipe fees, obtaining an animal food license, and baking in an approved facility.
Pro Tip: Depending on the labeling your state requires, you can buy a Canva pet treat nutrition label template like this one for easy, professional-looking label stickers.
Show Me Visually: How Pet Treat Nutrition Labels Work
Above: Check out this compliant pet treat nutrition label infographic from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Requirements vary by state, so check your local regulations.
In many states, pet treat nutrition labels need a guaranteed analysis proving your treats meet the required protein, fat, fiber, and moisture percentages. A pet food testing and compliance lab can give you the percentages to fill in on your label. Just choose a lab, a test package, and send in a sample of your treat.
You’ll need to analyze each type of treat (meaning each treat recipe, not each batch of the same recipe) for compliant labels. Especially when you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to start with a small treat menu to keep costs low since labs can get pricey for multiple tests.
Along with the basic FDA regulations for a homemade pet treats business, you may need to follow extra rules in these special situations:
- If you ship or transport pet treats
- If you use meat or byproducts from cattle, sheep, or goats, there are rules for safe handling and usage
- If you store perishable treats in airtight containers like vacuum-sealed pouches or cans
3. Create a Smart & Tasty Pet Treat Menu
You don’t have to be an experienced baker to start crafting drool-worthy treats. Start by reading about healthy and harmful foods for dogs and cat-safe foods from vet-approved resources. This will ensure you don’t use unsafe ingredients as you experiment.
Pro Tip: Popular pet treats often look like human junk food faves — it makes their owners think “treat”. However, common sweeteners like xylitol, toppers like chocolate, and excessive salt are harmful to animals. Creating the look of a cheat-day treat draws in customers, but using pet-healthy ingredients to get there will win rave reviews from pets.
How to Develop Pet Treat Recipes
Search online for pet treat recipes and test them on the fur babies in your life. Recipes can’t be trademarked, so there’s no harm in using someone else’s recipe as you learn the ropes. Still, to make your homemade pet treats business stand out, start experimenting with your own recipes and decorations once you feel more comfortable.
There are a few main types of treats you’ll want to consider:
Dental treats
Dense yet porous treats made to rub away plaque and tartar, or treats with mint, parsley, and other natural breath fresheners. Depending on the health benefits you claim, you may need extra testing before you can market a product as dental care.
Training treats
Small, flavorful, low-calorie, and somewhat soft, training treats reward pets without filling them up and can be wolfed down in no time, closely associating the reward with the action. They’re usually baked and sold in bulk, so a silicone baking mat can help you create fun, uniform shapes without a cookie cutter.
Crunchy treats
Baked and munchy, biscuit-like treats go over well with dogs. Biscuits are typically the least expensive treats since they’re usually flour-based. However, this means they may not work for grain-sensitive pups and kitties.
Soft treats
From dog-friendly pretzels to bone broth gummies, this broad category covers any easy-chew treat. Soft bites like cakes and cookies are particularly good for puppies and senior pets, but they tend to have shorter shelf lives.
Freeze-dried and jerky treats
As ways to increase shelf life, freeze-drying and dehydrating are popular options for veggie or meaty pet treats. Pay close attention to guidelines for meat jerky, which may qualify as pet food rather than a pet treat.
Chews
Interested in treats that are more of a chew or a toy? Certain chews like exercisers, bones, and other specialty treats don’t need to be registered or labeled unless your packaging claims they provide food or nutrition.
Once you’ve chosen the type of treats you’d like to start with, answer these questions as you build your menu:
What kind of animals do you want to feed?
Cats and dogs (and rabbits and birds, for that matter) have different dietary needs and preferences. Try targeting your treats toward one or two animals to save on ingredients and capture a specific audience.
How many types of treats can you produce?
It’s tempting to release a multi-page treat menu or plan to sell mass amounts right away. However, ingredients, baking supplies, labeling, packaging, state testing fees, business costs, and time investment add up fast. Start small to see what connects with customers first.
Will you cater to specific needs, allergies, or food sensitivities?
Some companies specialize in niche treats for pets with special diets. Treats for specific sensitivities can command a higher selling price and reach a specialized audience online.
Fresh or frozen?
Consider shelf life and storage. Frozen and refrigerated treats are becoming popular, but temperature control makes delivery and storage challenging.
What’s popular?
Join community groups like the Homemade Pet Treats Facebook group or browse dog treat threads on r/dogs to spark your creativity. Is there a pet bakery you admire? Check out bestsellers online or pop in and see what sells out.
4. Set Up Your Pet Bakery Kitchen & Equipment
Costs for starting a pet treat business are relatively low. (You may even have the baking tools in your kitchen cupboards already.) Still, there are a few essential steps to meet your state’s requirements for a pet bakery environment.
What Are the Requirements for a Pet Bakery Kitchen?
In-home businesses are usually exempt from FDA requirements for pet food facilities, which means many states will let you bake or assemble treats at home in a standard kitchen.
However, some states have stricter rules. For example, California pet treat businesses must work from a compliant facility. But don’t let facility rules stop you from pursuing your dream! You can rent shared commercial kitchen space or even use a compliant restaurant, church, or school kitchen if you have access.
Pet Treat Business Supplies: Essentials & Nice-to-Haves
Great news — you probably already have the basic cooking equipment to make homemade pet treats! As you try new recipes, increase sales, and upgrade packaging, consider investing in tools that speed up the process or create a more professional look.
Here are the essential tools and packaging choices, plus a cost estimate for each category:
Basic cooking equipment: $20 - $50
- Baking pans or mats
- Cookie cutters
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Rolling pin
- Cooling racks
- Whisks and spatulas
Advanced cooking equipment: $20 - $200
- Stand mixer
- Food processor
- Silicone baking/freezing molds
- Donut pans and other specialized bakeware
- Digital food scale
- Dehydrator
- Vacuum sealer
Packaging supplies: $0.20 - $7 per unit.
Buy in bulk from a packaging wholesaler like The Custom Packaging or Sticker Mule for better rates.
- Resealable cellophane bags (about $0.10 per unit): Great for individual treats, like pup-friendly cookies and biscuits.
- Vacuum bags (about $0.20 per unit): Helpful for preserving perishable treats.
- Zip-top paper or plastic treat pouches (about $0.30 per unit): Good for heavier treats and bulk.
- Bakery boxes ($0.60 – $1.50 per unit): Ideal for cakes, cupcakes, and other pretty treats. Choose a window box to show them off!
- Decorative tins ($3 – $7 per unit): A sturdy option for shipping fancy or delicate treats.
- Customized self-inking stamp ($10 – $20 per stamp): A low-cost starter option for adding a logo to kraft paper packaging.
- Custom stickers and labels ($0.20 – $1.00 per label): A mid-range option for personalizing packaging and adding nutrition labels.
- Custom-printed pouches ($0.70 – $3.65 per pouch): An upper-range option for a gourmet pet treats business or a sleek, professional look.
5. Market Your Homemade Pet Treats Business
It’s time to get those treats into customers’ paws. Your pet business plan helps you think through many of these topics (another great reason to create one in the early planning stages!), but we’ll mention a few crucial points for advertising your pet business here.
Research Your Audience and Competition
Is my area a good place for starting a pet treats business?
Before investing time and money into paperwork and recipe creation, set up your products to sell. Follow the prompts in our pet services business plan to answer these questions about your customers and competitors:
- Are there enough local customers to support a pet treat business (or another one)?
- How many local households have pets? (See our business plan guide for a free public records trick you can use to find out!)
- What is the average income in your sales area? How much will people spend on treats? (We did national research on pet spending — download our ebook with all the details!)
- Are your customers mostly rural or city-based? How will this affect your distribution strategy? (i.e., Will you need to offer delivery, pickup, or retail sales?)
- Are there other pet treat makers or pet bakeries in your area? What are their prices?
Promote What Makes You Special
Make a list of descriptors of your treats and business — what do you have going for you? Consider how you could present those unique traits to stand out to customers. You can even take things that seem negative at first and show how they’re actually an asset. For example:
Home-based business ➡️ Handmade treats baked with care
Limited production ➡️ Small-batch treats to pamper your pup
Dog trainer side hustle ➡️ Trainer-tested, dog-approved
Unique selling points like these can go on your packaging, social media, vendor booth, or business website.
How to Price Pet Treats Strategically
Homemade treats can go for as little as $5 per bag for training treats or over $100 for a custom-decorated purr-thday cake. Pricing pet treats correctly depends on a few crucial factors:
Type of treat
Add up the time and expense to produce, package, and deliver. Batch bakes usually cost less since they make a lot with few ingredients. For example, homemade training treats may cost around $5.99/bag. On the other hand, three highly decorated dog cupcakes might go for $18.99.
Ingredient quality
Basic dog biscuits might cost $5 – $15 per bag since the ingredients are relatively cheap. On the other hand, premium treats could go for $20 – $50 per bag if they include high-quality proteins, local produce, or organic ingredients.
Personalization
Custom treats like an ornate dog cake or personalized treats for special diets usually go for more, ranging from $25 – $75 and up.
Presentation
Match the price and look of your packaged treats to your customer. For example, a gourmet pet treats business with a $40 custom dog cookie package may justify a high price point and keep their work looking perfect with a fancy tin for delivery.
Competitors
Check out what other pet bakers in your area charge, and consider how your treats stack up in quality and uniqueness. Balance staying competitive against similar bakeries with making a profit.
Target customer
Take some time to understand your ideal customer’s expectations. What do they usually pay for a treat like yours, or what might they be willing to pay based on their pet spending habits?
Should You Market Pet Treats Online or Offline?
The answer is yes. Even if you only deliver locally, interacting online can be convenient for existing customers and introduce you to new clients in your area. Try these high- and low-tech options for getting the word out about your business.
Local Pet Treat Marketing Ideas
Rent a booth at farmers' markets and local events
Farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and pet adoption events let you sell treats while getting your name out locally. Give away samples, hold memorable contests, and collect emails for future marketing campaigns.
Encourage word of mouth
You don’t have to wait and hope someone mentions you. Treat customers for telling friends and family with a pet services referral program. Or, offer treat gift packaging around the holidays to spark “where did you get that” conversations.
Hand out business cards
Put a new twist on a classic by adding a custom QR code to your business card, complete with a link to your menu, prices, and online ordering. Services like Vistaprint make it easy to order using a pet business card template.
Pet business partnerships
Pet stores, groomers, doggy daycares, and vet offices make smart business partners for a pet treat baker. You could display business cards or flyers with permission, and they might even sell your treats.
Digital Marketing to Broaden Your Reach
Leverage social media
Your creative treats make engaging visual content for a social media channel. Advertise your latest creations while keeping your brand top-of-mind for customers between orders. Share fun content like treat-decorating videos and run giveaways, encouraging followers to share pics of their pet enjoying your treats.
Create a user-friendly website
A website can be more than just a place to put your contact info — it can actively build trust and make selling even easier. An easy-to-use online store or order form makes buying treats simple for new and existing customers, while a testimonial page makes your treats even more appealing for first-time buyers.
Host an event with Meetup
Another way to expand a local client network via online marketing is to host Meetup events for pet parents. Post a treat-tasting or baking workshop for pet parents in the area and host it at a local community center or pet store.
Engage with online pet communites
Get active on pet parent Facebook groups and forums by sharing pet diet tips and gently introducing your treats where appropriate.
6. Package Your Pet Treats to Sell
Although you’re all about catering to your furry clients’ tastes, it’s their owners you’ll have to impress. Packaging is half the battle for impulse buys, like treats, so present the goods in a way that encourages rather than discourages an add-to-cart. Here are some tips for packaging pet treats for safety, quality, and eye appeal:
Choose the right package for the right treat
- Wrap elaborately iced dog cookies or brownies in parchment paper first, then package them to keep them from smooshing or crumbling. They might still taste good, but they also need to look good upon delivery.
- On the other hand, training treats and other sturdier nom-ables do just fine in a paper or plastic bag. In this case, eye appeal comes from the baking mold shapes you choose and your packaging design. Make sure to advertise all the good stuff inside without tipping too far into health claims you can’t back up.
- Don’t focus so much on flash that you forget about freshness and storage. Look for packaging labeled as food safe and options that zip or seal.
Package for your price point
- Reusable glass jars and decorative tins add to the perceived value of luxe treats. Wrap them in a ribbon and add a branded, personalized thank you card for a premium unboxing experience.
- On the other hand, stock bags or kraft paper pouches are cost-effective for inexpensive bulk treats. Customized stickers with your business name, logo, and ingredients can add some eye-catching design while covering your legal bases.
Consider shipping needs
- Treats that need to be shipped may get extra protection from sturdier, more rigid packaging, like a tin or jar.
- Treats that don’t contain preservatives may need to be packaged in a vacuum bag to preserve freshness.
- Not sure how your packaging will hold up if you’re shipping through the mail? Package some treats up and ship them back to yourself. Crumbling or spills mean you need another method or more cushioning in your shipping box.
Display treats for maximum eye appeal
You work hard to ensure that your doggy cake pops make even pet parents’ mouths water. So, choose packaging that doesn’t cover it all up! Pouches with clear windows or transparent bags show off your work and help pet parents see that the treats inside are fresh, unbroken, and ready to be snapped up.
Next Steps: How & Where to Sell Homemade Dog Treats
Now that you’re at the end of your pet treat business checklist, it’s time for the icing on the cake — making the sale. Whether you’re charming customers face-to-face with local deliveries or shipping your goodies online, there’s a sales style for almost any budget and schedule.
Where to Sell Treats In-Person
- Start with your friends, family, coworkers, or current pet care clients
- Set up a booth at farmers’ markets and craft fairs
- Sell your treats wholesale or on consignment to local pet care businesses:
- Selling treats on consignment: You give treats to a retailer to sell for you and then receive a percentage when an item sells. Great for new treat businesses, this strategy lets you test out which locations work best for selling treats without a big commitment. Plus, it’s low-risk for you and the partnering store.
- Selling treats wholesale: You sell your treats in bulk to a retailer at a discount, and the retailer then marks up the price and resells them. Wholesaling is most profitable once you’re ready to produce large quantities of treats and have a strong idea of what sells and at what price.
- Sell your treats wholesale or on consignment to local non-pet businesses (for example, feed and farm stores or dog-friendly outdoor cafes)
Where to Sell Treats Online
- Social media
- An Etsy store
- A direct-to-consumer store. Are you a wizard in the kitchen but not on the web? You can hire a freelance designer on Fiverr to build a Shopify site for as little as $70.
Pro Tip: Continuous marketing and experimentation keep your brand fresh. Debut seasonal treats, holiday giftables, and special offers. Ask for customer feedback regularly, and don’t be afraid to tweak your menu based on treat sales. Different presentation (a new baking mold, a different icing technique) can make the same recipe look and feel exciting again.
Start small, test what works, and apply your discoveries to grow your reach. Just like baking, starting a pet treat business mixes passion and patience. Keep refining your recipe for success until you have a strategy that’s simply irresistible.
FAQs About How to Start a Pet Treat Business
Is a dog treat business profitable?
A homemade dog treats business can be profitable thanks to relatively low startup costs and growing demand for natural, healthy pet food. The key to success depends on the quality of your treats, your marketing, and how you manage costs. Some states also require guaranteed analysis of your recipes, which can get pricey if you try to start with tons of recipes.
How much should I charge for dog treats?
Typically, dog treats cost from $5 to $15 per bag of training treats, or higher for batches of specialty treats like pet cakes or cookies. Pricing depends on the type of treat, size, quality, and your local market. Evaluate competitors and calculate costs carefully for a good profit margin.
Do I have to register my dog treats in every state where I sell?
To sell and ship treats outside your state, you usually need to register your treat business and possibly every type of treat with any other state where you make a sale. (That involves paperwork and fees, which unfortunately price out most small businesses.) Many homemade treat businesses choose to start or just stay local by selling treats in their state.
Where is the best place to sell homemade dog treats?
Homemade pet treats usually sell well through local farmers markets, pet boutiques, online platforms (selling through social media is popular and inexpensive), or partnerships with local pet care businesses. These are smart options to start selling, since barriers to entry are relatively low and it’s easy to sell in smaller quantities.
