Help with starting a dog treat business please

[jaxinthebox]

Hi, I'm after any help and advice I can get with starting a dog treat business. I have my products that have been researched etc for nutrition, (and homemade) but it's a little overwhelming with everything on the internet as to what licences, or legal obligations I need to fill before I can start selling them. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance

 

[BustersDogs]

My advice is to give up!

There are around 70 pieces of legislation that cover pet food in the UK as it's counted as livestock feed. You will need a separate stainless steel kitchen, and I think two licences. You need to send your products to a lab for testing before you sell, and then on a regular basis.

Have a look at the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, FEDIAF and Defra for more information.

Pet food is more highly regulated than human food due to its livestock associations!

 

[jaxinthebox]

Giving up isn't in my nature! People are doing it so it's entirely possible! I'll have a look at those you suggested! Thank you

 

[BustersDogs]

Lots of people are doing it illegally (usually through ignorance) or as a hobby collecting for charity etc. Check out the penalties as well, just in case. Good luck if you can afford to go for it. Let me know how you get on.

 

[jaxinthebox]

Hi BustersDogs, just wanted to let you know how I'm getting on! Although very long and sometimes frustrating, I am now on the way to getting my products tested (after other lengthy red tape and hoops to jump through) so I'm hoping by September time I will be ready to be completely legal and ready for business!! Once I'm up and running I will send you the link!!
I also want to thank you, as at times I did feel like giving up, but I printed out your comment and stuck it to my fridge! It spurred me on!

 

[BustersDogs]

Ha ha glad my negativity inspired you. I think my dogs might deserve a little sample for that.

 

[Andrea Blake]

Well can not give you any professional advice but motivation really inspired me and I wish you all the best.

 

[S2K]

@jaxinthebox: What about approaching a private label manufacturer?

 

[loudclearproject]

Keep going. Never give up.

 

[jaxinthebox]

Ha ha glad my negativity inspired you. I think my dogs might deserve a little sample for that.

Definitely!! Will send you a goody box as soon as all the relevant paper work has come through!

 

[jaxinthebox]

Well can not give you any professional advice but motivation really inspired me and I wish you all the best.

Thank you!! I have the motivation, failure is not an option! Where there is a will there is a way!

 

[jaxinthebox]

@jaxinthebox: What about approaching a private label manufacturer?

I have thought about this a lot, i have lodged my applications for relevant patents as some of my products are completely new to the market, but i dont want to accrue massive debts before i start! So starting small to begin with, as a sole trader, then as i grow the business i will change to a limited company and get these manufactured as im hoping my products will be on the shelves in superstores given time!!

 

[jaxinthebox]

Keep going. Never give up.

Thank you! Thats the plan! Nothing worth having was gained easily! Reap what you sow and all that jazz!

 

[Wiltshire1]

Hey! I was wondering how you were getting on ? And how you started the red tape rolling?

 

[jaxinthebox]

Hey! I was wondering how you were getting on ? And how you started the red tape rolling?

Hi Wiltshire1,
Its been a very long process, but im very nearly there! My packaging is being manufactured as we speak, hopefully shipped at the end of the month. Products have been tested, im registered with defra and apha, and have all relevant certificates! Its just making the products now that i have everything in place.
I have checked quite a few other “companies” and as said above, most are illegal and will eventually end up in serious trouble if they get found out not to have testing etc and certification, especially if using animal by products or meat itself! Even using honey needs to be tested for lots of things!
The first thing i did was look up a registered kitchen to rent. One that already had health and hygiene. Then i got my certificate number from apha and defra, then developed the product and sent off for testing. Once approved i developed relevant packaging, got insurance etc too, and got my hours free advice from a solicitor too!
Like i say, long process, but will be worth it in the end!

 

[Wiltshire1]

Oh wow well done you! I wouldn't know where to start! How did you go about getting packaging manufactured? Also, do defray have to test every recipe you make? So if you make a new one it has to be tested I can't find any information on defra website in what their regulations are

 

[Nochexman]

Have you made a sale yet?

 

[Toby Willows]

Have you made a sale yet?

Does seem that this vital and most difficult stage has been ignored!!

 

[Cristina Stan]

Congratulation @jaxinthebox ! I really enjoyed reading all the above comments. I can guess that you worked a lot to create this, to be in the point where you are now and that's inspiring.

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

@jaxinthebox well done on getting this far. Have you got any contract (or pre-contract) agreements in place with any stores ?

 

[jaxinthebox]

Oh wow well done you! I wouldn't know where to start! How did you go about getting packaging manufactured? Also, do defray have to test every recipe you make? So if you make a new one it has to be tested I can't find any information on defra website in what their regulations are

Sorry for the long wait in replying, I have been so busy. Had a few setbacks, but haven’t given up! I’m ready to launch This Friday 7th December (all going to plan). Packaging i had made up and imported from China. A good starting point is Alibaba.com. So much information on there. Looking through packaging will help give u ideas. Debra and the apha is hard work, but necessary. If using any animal by products you need to register with them. If you search up making pet food and the laws of pet food, that’s what I did and yes a minefield but worth reading as much as you can. Yes every recipe needs to be tested and tests have to be repeated every year on each recipe. Batch numbers etc are super important too! Good luck, you can do it!

 

[jaxinthebox]

Have you made a sale yet?

As I had to make sure I had ticked every box of the regulations etc no, as I couldn't sell anything without the right certificates etc etc. But all in good time! I will post the link as soon as my website is live. I am working on this as we speak! (Another thing I have learnt in this process!)

 

[jaxinthebox]

Does seem that this vital and most difficult stage has been ignored!!

Hi Toby, no definitely not ignored, but rather than risk losing everything before I’ve even started I have had to make sure I have every legal angle covered before I could make a sale! But rest assured this will happen!

 

[jaxinthebox]

@jaxinthebox well done on getting this far. Have you got any contract (or pre-contract) agreements in place with any stores ?

Thank you! I haven’t as yet, but will be working on this tomorrow as I have a list of companies to email, I have 2 local garden centres interested in stocking products so I am awaiting an email from them to go over things. As this is another learning curve I’m hoping I’m dotting the I,s and crossing the t’s so to speak!

 

[jaxinthebox]

I have also documented every day as a diary in my quest to making my dream happen, so if all else fails maybe I can make money on being an author lol

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Glad you're making progress. Once your site is live post something directing us to it and I will have a look and maybe try some for my dog (once I've seen the ingredients list!)

 

[Nochexman]

As I had to make sure I had ticked every box of the regulations etc no, as I couldn't sell anything without the right certificates etc etc. But all in good time! I will post the link as soon as my website is live. I am working on this as we speak! (Another thing I have learnt in this process!)

Sorry if I sounded like negative no-man - it was just that you hadn't written anything about proof of concept and at the end of the day if you don't have a good product that your customers like, you are unlikely to enjoy much success. Good luck with everything - I'm sure we're looking forward to reading more from you!

 

[BustersDogs]

Have you launched?