Selling dog treats can be a profitable opportunity for retailers, but there are many considerations before you choose to set up. As the UK dog treat market continues to grow, we take you through everything you need to know about selling dog treats, how to choose the right suppliers, and what legal compliance to consider.

In this article:

1. The dog market is growing
2. Choosing the right dog treats to stock
3. Maximising sales
4. Regulations and compliance
5. Do you need a license to sell dog treats in the UK?
6. Can you sell homemade dog treats in the UK?
7. Partner with T.Forrest

The Dog Treat Market is Growing

Driven by our love of pets, the dog treat market is growing at a pretty fast rate. Due to dogs basically replacing babies at this point, there has been an increased demand for healthier and better-quality treats.

Between 2021 and 2024, spending on pets and related products increased by over £4 billion to £12 billion, with many Brits even willing to spend more money on pets than themselves. So, why is now the right time to get into the treats market:

• Dog owners looking for healthier treats, made with natural ingredients
• There is a good mix of both budget and premium treats that are healthy for all dog breeds and sizes to eat
• As they are smaller purchases, repeat purchase behaviour is likely, even with long-lasting treats

Choosing the right dog treats to stock

When choosing which treats to stock for your store, there are several factors to consider. You want to ensure repeat purchases, use trusted brands, whilst also having all treats manufactured sustainably, and where possible in the UK. On top of that, you need to think about:

Shelf life & storage: Our dog treats are all air-dried, retaining their flavour and nutrients whilst ensuring a long shelf life between 12-18 months. This makes it easy to control stock, and with a minimum order quantity of just £100+VAT, you don’t need to overextend on what you have storage space for.

Availability: We work hard to keep products in stock, whilst also manufacturing treats in our Preston-based factory. We maintain good stock levels and can supply stores with free next day delivery, depending on your order size.

Price: When ordering with your trade account, you have exclusive access to trade discounts and bulk deals. To ensure you receive the best price on quality treats, order online with our Trade account.

Flavour and ingredients: Our treats are 100% natural. This means no additives or preservatives, suitable for dogs with hypoallergenic diets and sensitive stomachs. Air-dried treats retain all the nutritional value, supporting dogs with joint and dental health, muscle development, and overall health.

Maximising sales

Once you’ve chosen your stock, how do you actually maximise sales in your store? Using trusted brands is beneficial to attract existing customer bases and encourage repeat customers.

Make sure to consider your product placement, merchandising, and point-of-sale to steer customers in the right direction, and consider the packaging of your dog treat suppliers. You want something that stands out and entices customers, not boring packaging with no colour.

Regulations and Compliance

Aside from registering your business, it’s essential to make sure the food and treats you sell meet food hygiene regulations and certification. This includes adhering to regulations set out by:

• Local Trading Standards
• Animal and Plant Health (APHA)
• Food Standards Agency (FSA)

When using suppliers, you must ensure that products once in store have the correct sanitary conditions and storage options to keep treats fresh and edible until their BBE date. Treats from T.Forrest go through rigorous quality testing, meet all UK food regulations, and ensure compliance with all safety requirements. When supplied to stores and retailers, we provide a BBE date to ensure freshness whilst in stock.

Do you need a license to sell dog treats in the UK?

Yes, you will need a license to sell dog treats in the UK. You will need to register your business with your local Trading Standards office and also obtain approval from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) if your treats are from animal origin.

You can register online here.

Can you sell homemade dog treats in the UK?

You can sell homemade dog treats in the UK, but you must still be a licensed business. It’s important that all homemade treats meet food safety standards and regulations, ensuring they are safe to sell and eat.

Partner with T.Forrest

If you are interested in supplying dog treats in the UK, T.Forrest can help. We stock a huge selection of treats, with great deals and bulk purchases available with trade discounts.

Order online with free next day delivery and a minimum order quantity of £100+VAT.