Launching your own private-label dog treats can be one of the fastest ways to enter the pet market — especially with today’s growing demand for healthy, natural, and convenient snacks for dogs. Whether you’re a pet brand, distributor, or retailer, working with an experienced OEM dog treat manufacturer allows you to create custom products that match your market needs while keeping costs under control.
This guide walks you through the entire OEM process, from product concept to mass production, packaging, compliance, and shipping.
- Define Your Product Concept
Before creating your private-label dog treats, start with a clear idea of what you want to offer. Consider these core decisions:
✔ Choose the treat type
Jerky treats (chicken, beef, duck)
Freeze-dried treats
Baked dog biscuits
Soft/chewy treats
Functional treats (skin & coat, hip & joint, digestion)
Decorated cookies for holidays & special launches
✔ Select the ingredients
Ask yourself:
Do you want single-ingredient treats?
Do you prefer grain-free or all-natural formulas?
Do you target premium buyers (Real Meat, Freeze-Dried) or mass market?
✔ Decide the price range
Your product concept should match your target customers — supermarket, pet boutiques, online sellers, or professional pet brands.
- Develop Your Recipe & Formula (OEM / ODM Options)
A professional dog treat manufacturer will offer two development paths:
🔹 OEM (You provide the recipe)
You share your preferred:
Ingredients
Nutrient targets
Flavor profiles
Moisture level
Shape and texture
The factory reformulates based on feasibility and local regulations.
🔹 ODM (Factory provides formulas)
If you don’t have a recipe yet, the manufacturer can recommend:
Popular flavors for your market
Best-selling shapes
Nutritional formulas based on AAFCO guidelines
Cost-optimized options for large-scale retail
Most brands choose ODM because it is:
Faster
Lower cost
Fully customizable
- Create Samples for Testing
Sampling is one of the most important steps in private-label dog treats.
What happens during sampling?
The factory produces small-batch samples matching your expected:
Ingredients
Shape & size
Color & texture
Moisture level
Packaging mockups
Why you need samples
Internal quality testing
Dog palatability tests
Retail buyer presentations
Marketing content preparation
Sampling usually takes 5–12 days, depending on the treat type.
- Packaging Design & Branding
Packaging is often what sells your dog treats — especially online and in retail stores.
Popular packaging options
Resealable pouches (matte / glossy)
Stand-up kraft bags
Clear window pouches
Rigid jars
Customized printed boxes
Holiday-themed packaging
What information must be printed
A compliant dog treat label typically includes:
Ingredients list
Nutritional analysis
Net weight
Feeding instructions
Storage instructions
Country of origin
Your brand logo and design
Barcode
A good OEM manufacturer can assist with:
Artwork templates
Printing files
Packaging material selection
Professional recommendations for cost & durability
- Confirm MOQ, Pricing & Production Plan
Once the formula and packaging are approved, the factory finalizes:
✔ MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
MOQ depends on:
Treat type
Packaging material
Whether you mix SKUs
Whether labels are printed or applied
Many manufacturers offer low-MOQ options for new brands.
✔ Pricing
Pricing is influenced by:
Type of meat / raw materials
Treat processing method
Energy & labor cost
Packaging complexity
Order quantity
A clear quote helps you calculate your landed cost before ordering
- Mass Production (Quality-Controlled)
Mass production is where consistency matters the most. A professional OEM dog treat factory follows strict QC systems:
Quality checks throughout production
Ingredient inspection and traceability
Moisture & density control
Metal detection
Microbiological tests
Batch-to-batch consistency check
Packaging seal strength test
Production lead time is usually 20–30 days, depending on order size.
- Compliance, Testing & Certifications
To sell private-label dog treats globally, the manufacturer must meet relevant regulations.
Common requirements
FDA registration (for USA)
AAFCO labeling guidelines
EU pet food compliance
HACCP, ISO, GMP certifications
COA (Certificate of Analysis) for each batch
Most pet brands request:
Microbial test report
Nutritional breakdown
Shelf-life validation
Your OEM partner should prepare these documents for export.
- Shipping, Logistics & Export Support
Finally, your private-label dog treats are ready to ship.
Shipping options
FOB (factory delivers to port)
CIF (factory arranges ocean freight)
Door-to-door (DDP available for some countries)
Freight cost depends on:
Carton size
Packaging weight
Palletization requirement
Destination port
A good manufacturer provides:
Optimized carton/pallet loading
HS code for customs
Documents for clearance
9. Timeline: How Long the Entire OEM Process Takes
| Step | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Concept + formula discussion | 2–5 days |
| Sample production | 5–12 days |
| Sample revision | 3–7 days |
| Packaging design | 5–10 days |
| Mass production | 20–30 days |
| Shipping | 10–45 days (depending on destination) |
Total project time: 30–60 days for most new brands.
- Tips to Launch a Successful Private-Label Dog Treat Brand
Start with 3–5 SKUs, not too many
Use packaging that clearly reflects your brand story
Choose treat types that match your local pet culture
Control cost by simplifying shapes and ingredients
Request stable monthly supply plan
Ask for free marketing materials (photos, certificates, videos)
Final Thoughts
Creating private-label dog treats in 2026 is easier and faster than ever — as long as you work with an experienced OEM dog treat manufacturer. From formula development to packaging, testing, and export logistics, the right partner helps you build a competitive pet treat line with lower risk and higher market success.