Private label pet food and dog treats are made by a pet food manufacturer and sold under your brand. Treats are the easier entry: US makers publish minimums from 15 or 100 bags at small kitchens, up to thousands of pounds per run at larger plants. Pet food has its own rulebook. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine regulates it, but states approve labels and often require product registration and fees, based on AAFCO’s model regulations. And whether you sell a “complete and balanced” food or a treat changes what the label must say.
I’ll compare manufacturers, then cover FDA and AAFCO rules, treats vs complete food, state registration, and selling.
Pet treat and food manufacturers
From each company’s own site, checked in October 2026:
| Manufacturer | Location | Published minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nala & Lucas | Roselle, Illinois | As low as 15 bags | Private label dog treats |
| Neoteric Brands | Austin, Texas | From 100 bags | Private label dog treats |
| Foppers | Logansport, Indiana | 2,000 to 4,000 lbs per item per run | Private label pet treats |
| The Pound Bakery | Harvard, Illinois | 10,000 lbs per custom recipe | Doesn’t offer co-packing |
My take: start with treats from a low-minimum maker. Complete diets need nutritional adequacy work, bigger runs and more label review. Prove your brand on treats, then decide whether food is worth it.
The federal rules
The FDA says food for animals doesn’t need FDA pre-market review to be legally marketed, unless a substance is a food additive, and that using an unapproved food additive in pet food is illegal. The law requires animal food to be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, free of harmful substances, and truthfully labeled. Federal labeling rules are in 21 CFR Part 501.
Manufacturing facilities also fall under the FSMA Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule (21 CFR 507), which requires a food safety plan with a hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls. Ask your manufacturer for theirs.
AAFCO and the states
AAFCO members approve model regulations recommended to the states, but it’s the states that have the legal authority to review and approve pet food labels. Most states require either label registration or a feed license, and many charge tonnage fees. New York, for example, requires all pet foods and treats of nutritional value to be registered at $100 per product each year.
That’s why I’d budget for registration in every state you sell into before you launch. Selling online nationally can mean many registrations.
Complete food vs treats
| Complete and balanced food | Treats and snacks | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | “Complete” means all required nutrients; “balanced” means in the correct ratios (AAFCO) | Not intended as the whole diet |
| Nutritional adequacy statement | Required | Exempt when clearly labeled as a snack, treat or supplement on the front panel |
| Typical wording | A “complete and balanced” statement for a life stage | “Intended for intermittent or supplementary feeding only” |
| Guaranteed analysis | Minimum crude protein and fat, maximum crude fiber and moisture | Same |
Honestly, the treat route avoids the hardest part of pet food: proving nutritional adequacy. That’s why most new pet brands start there.
What to ask a pet food manufacturer
- FSMA food safety plan and recent audits.
- Ingredient sourcing, especially for meat and novel proteins.
- Label support: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, and state requirements.
- Registration help: do they register labels, or is it on you?
- Shelf life and packaging, including resealable bags.
Selling pet products online
Pet treats sell well online on repeat purchase. On Amazon, expect category requirements and documentation; check Seller Central for pet food and treats before you produce inventory. For more food categories, see our guides to private label food manufacturers and private label protein bars. If you’d like a team to source and vet pet food makers, that’s our complete sourcing management service. Selling pet products without holding stock? See our roundup of the best pet dropshipping suppliers.
FAQ
What is the minimum order for private label dog treats?
Published minimums range from 15 bags at small makers and 100 bags at others to thousands of pounds per run at larger plants.
Does pet food need FDA approval?
No pre-market approval is needed unless a substance is a food additive, but pet food must be safe, sanitary, free of harmful substances and truthfully labeled.
Do I need to register pet food with my state?
Most states require label registration or a feed license, and many charge fees. New York, for example, charges $100 per product a year.
What does “complete and balanced” mean?
Per AAFCO, “complete” means the food contains all required nutrients and “balanced” means they’re in the correct ratios.
Do dog treats need a nutritional adequacy statement?
Products clearly labeled as a snack, treat or supplement on the front panel are exempt; many say they’re intended for intermittent or supplementary feeding only.
Should I start with pet food or treats?
Treats are usually easier: lower minimums and no nutritional adequacy requirement.
Last updated: October 6, 2026. General information, not legal advice; confirm requirements with the FDA and your state department of agriculture. Sources: FDA, regulation of pet food; FDA, animal food labeling and pet food claims; FDA, FSMA preventive controls for animal food; AAFCO, labeling requirements; AAFCO, reading pet food labels; AAFCO, registration and licensing; AAFCO, New York; Nala & Lucas; Neoteric Brands; Foppers; The Pound Bakery.
