Vegetarian dog treats?

[Winter76]

Hi, I’m thinking of starting a small side business selling vegetarian dog treats and I’m after a bit of advice. I’ve tried good old google but it’s not helped, rather made me cross eyed

I know there is a hell of a lot of red tape if you want to sell treats that include meat such as needing a separate kitchen, needed treats to be tested etc. Do the same rules apply if you are not using any animal products whatsoever or are the rules the same regardless?

Any info/guidance would be extremely appreciated. Thank you

 

[Mr D]

Hi, I’m thinking of starting a small side business selling vegetarian dog treats and I’m after a bit of advice. I’ve tried good old google but it’s not helped, rather made me cross eyed

I know there is a hell of a lot of red tape if you want to sell treats that include meat such as needing a separate kitchen, needed treats to be tested etc. Do the same rules apply if you are not using any animal products whatsoever or are the rules the same regardless?

Any info/guidance would be extremely appreciated. Thank you

Yes, the food is going to be eaten.
Can easily poison a dog with non meat products too.

 

[Winter76]

Yes, the food is going to be eaten.
Can easily poison a dog with non meat products too.

I guessed that might have been the case. Thank you for your reply.

 

[AllUpHere]

I guessed that might have been the case. Thank you for your reply.

Id wait and get a few more replies before making a decision if I were you.

 

[BustersDogs]

Yes you still do need to follow the legislation. Pet food is really highly regulated because it was originally under all the same laws as food for animals for human consumption.

FEDIAF and PFMA are the industry bodies for Europe and the UK, both websites have educational material on them, and I know from contacting PFMA myself in the early days of my business for something else, they are really helpful to speak to.

 

[BustersDogs]

https://www.pfma.org.uk/pfma-training-webinar-series

 

[Winter76]

Yes you still do need to follow the legislation. Pet food is really highly regulated because it was originally under all the same laws as food for animals for human consumption.

FEDIAF and PFMA are the industry bodies for Europe and the UK, both websites have educational material on them, and I know from contacting PFMA myself in the early days of my business for something else, they are really helpful to speak to.

Thank you

 

[Mitch3473]

Why..?? Dogs by nature are omnivores and if it's a USP you're after it seems a bit pointless really.

 

[Mr D]

Why..?? Dogs by nature are omnivores and if it's a USP you're after it seems a bit pointless really.

Its a niche market but it is a market.
What do vegans feed their pet dog? Meat products????

Humans are also omnivores. Yet we have some who choose not to eat meat.

There is quite a debate over giving animals a vegan lifestyle, has been for years.
Rabbits obviously its relatively easy, tigers not so much...

And some people buy dog food like they buy their own. A mixed diet with some different foods.

Not really a USP, a general selling point perhaps. And there's a fair amount of competition.

 

[PugwashEQ]

Dga aren't omnivores, they felt nctionally can't survive without meat.

No idea what vegans feed dogs, hopefully they arent so selfish to hurt their own pets and actually feed them what they need.

Op why don't you make treats that are highly ethical, using organic meat carefully slaughtered?

 

[Winter76]

Dga aren't omnivores, they felt nctionally can't survive without meat.

No idea what vegans feed dogs, hopefully they arent so selfish to hurt their own pets and actually feed them what they need.

Op why don't you make treats that are highly ethical, using organic meat carefully slaughtered?

My point isn’t to start a debate about whether dogs should be vegetarian/vegan or not. Although dogs can easily survive on a vegetarian diet. In fact one of my friends dogs can’t eat meat due to liver problems.

My dogs eat meat even though I’m a vegetarian. My point was whether it would be easier to make treats with no animal or animal by products eg peanut butter or cheese. Obviously these treats are aimed along side whatever you choose to feed your dog!

 

[BustersDogs]

Dga aren't omnivores, they felt nctionally can't survive without meat.

No idea what vegans feed dogs, hopefully they arent so selfish to hurt their own pets and actually feed them what they need.

Op why don't you make treats that are highly ethical, using organic meat carefully slaughtered?

Dogs are omnivores, they can survive without meat. It's cats that cannot, they are obligate carnivores.

I got the impression that the OP wanted to avoid red tape by not using animal by-products, although I might be wrong.

A lot of people get a shock when they realise how much legislation and cost there is in it.

 

[Winter76]

Dogs are omnivores, they can survive without meat. It's cats that cannot, they are obligate carnivores.

I got the impression that the OP wanted to avoid red tape by not using animal by-products, although I might be wrong.

A lot of people get a shock when they realise how much legislation and cost there is in it.

Correct on all 3 points.

 

[kulture]

I use carrots as dog treats. They love them. The point is, how could you compete against this?

 

[Mr D]

I use carrots as dog treats. They love them. The point is, how could you compete against this?

Baking dog treat cakes?

Making dog treat pemmican?

Making dog treat liver drops?

Lots of ways to improve on a carrot. Just as humans can eat carrots but often eat different things.

 

[kulture]

Yes, but carrots are £0.50 a kilo. Unprocessed, and additive free.

 

[japancool]

Vegetarians do make good dog treats.

 

[BustersDogs]

Carrots are great until they start making poo orange. Just saying.

 

[Mr D]

Yes, but carrots are £0.50 a kilo. Unprocessed, and additive free.

Can be grown even cheaper.

However variety and different flavours work too. I often bake some dog treats when doing other baking - same food safety requirements.

 

[Mr D]

Vegetarians do make good dog treats.

So a vegetarian will eat vegetables like carrots. What do humanitarians eat?

 

[Paul Norman]

If you really care about your animals, you will discuss the veganism issue fully with them before they make any choices.

 

[Alex0110]

It is a great idea. Vegetarian dog treats can be used for training with your dog and there are also natural and super healthy.

 

[fisicx]

It is a great idea. Vegetarian dog treats can be used for training with your dog and there are also natural and super healthy.

So are meat based treats.

 

[MattRumbelow]

Can't help you on the legality, but I think I've heard of some veggie/vegan D2C dog food companies out there.

I imagine, a lot like with humans, as long as the animal is getting a wide range of proteins, vitamins, etc., a plant based diet is a good, low-carbon and (theoretically) affordable way to feed a dog. (which is why, sadly, someone's suggestion of just feeding your dogs carrots will not work).

Note: I say "theoretically affordable" because, like with human food, very cheap ingredients are made very expensive when companies know that vegans are the end-consumer. Still, good news for your potential business, I guess.

 

[kulture]

It would help if you actually read the whole thread and put things in context. First the thread was started a year ago and the OP has long since gone. Secondly the thread was about making vegetarian treats and I suggested that carrots make good vegetarian treats. At no time did anyone suggest feeding just carrots to dogs.

 

[Mark T Jones]

The thread is a grat example of what business owners should avoid - being side tracked by bar-room/coffee shop debates

In this case, the irrelevancies that are carrots and omnivores.

I've no idea if the OP has gone ahead but I hope so. Its a significant and growing market. The thing that actually matters (besides legalities) is how they position themselves against the competition

 

[estwig]

Cat flavoured dog food could be a winner!

A nice tin of ginger tom for lunch?