Dogs are often thought of as our best friends. Some people even think of theirs as their child. With that, comes a whole lot of love…and a whole lot of treats. It’s no wonder the market has boomed in recent years!
You can customize dog treats and use them to advertise your shelter, pet store, or veterinary office. This is what you need to know about the process.
From the moment their little noses arrive on the doorstep, a dog becomes part and parcel of the everyday goings on in your household.
Rachelle Blondel, author of DIY for Your Dog: 30 Toys, Treats, and Treasures to Make
What Are Custom Dog Treats?
Dog treats can be more special than the same old variety you find at the grocery store. A custom touch can be part of your treats in the following ways:
Embossed Treats
A design or message is added directly on the treat. This can be done with edible ink or embossing, which is an engraving process that raises the custom message into a 3D look.
https://www.happyhuskybakery.com/
Personalized Cakes or Cupcakes
Many people want birthday treats for dogs. You can offer this service right in your store and take pre-orders on dog birthday cookies, cakes, and other personalized treats.
https://www.twobostons.com/index.htm
Branded Boxes or Containers
Your pet treats are 100% yours and can’t be made by anyone else. Make that well-known with custom packaging that identifies your treats from others.
It’s a good idea for your pet business to add your mark to the treats you sell. Your customers will feel like they’re giving their dog something special and truly one-of-a-kind.
Did you know?
A dog’s sense of smell contributes to how it tastes the flavor.
Who Can Advertise with Custom Dog Treats?
Custom dog treats can be used by any business, but they’re obviously the most suitable for those that work with animals. This would include:
Pet Stores
Try creating a mix-and-match bar! Your customers can fill a baggie with a bunch of different treats, all embossed with your logo or store name.
Dog Bakeries
A birthday club is a good way to create customer loyalty. The dog can get a free happy birthday treat, and you can also offer the owner coupons for other treats throughout the year.
Non-Profits or Shelters
If you’re concerned with animal welfare, a custom box of treats is a good way to raise money. Sell them at your next fundraiser!
Groomers
After a hair cut or nail trimming, those dogs are looking for some kind of prize. Come through with a goody bag filled with sweet treats and your business card.
Vets
There are more than 70,000 veterinarians in the United States. Your clinic can stand out from the rest if you offer custom treats to your clients.
Downtown Shops
Do you manage a store that’s in a hip, up-and-coming location? As long as you’re pet-friendly, keep custom treats in a jar on the counter by your register.
Any of these businesses can benefit from personalized dog treats. Your customers will love them, and you’ll get a good brand boost from handing them out or selling them at your location!
https://www.today.com/pets/dog-absolutely-thrilled-about-her-birthday-cake-t109479
A dog named Lucy was all over the internet in 2018. Her eyes bugged out over her custom birthday cake and the pic went viral!
What Foods Are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
The best treats are made with safe ingredients that won’t cause your dog to get sick. These include:
- Low-fat cheese
- Bite-sized carrots
- Unsalted cashews
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Bananas
- Small strawberries
- Seedless apples
- Corn
- Cooked eggs
- Fresh peas
- Yogurt
- Honey
- Coconuts
- Sweet potatoes
- Quinoa
- Wheat/ grains
- Soybeans
- Peanut butter
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Beef
Most dogs treats have a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and fats. The healthiest options, though, will contain more proteins and vitamins and won’t use any artificial coloring or sweeteners.
Keep this in mind if you’re making custom dog treats to sell at your store. Your customers will want the healthiest, safest option for their dogs. Do you want to learn about even more about foods that are bad for your dogs? The team of experts at Better Pet compiled this helpful list.
Are you interested in selling your custom dog treats and other pet products online? A website called Get it Made can help you out with the process!
Recommendations for Dogs with Allergies
If you have a dog with allergies, you should look for hypoallergenic treats. Look for ones that are made with any of these ingredients.
Turkey
Salmon
Cooked Eggs
Sweet Potatoes
Baby Food
Yogurt
What Are Pet Parents and Dog Moms?
Pet parents or dog moms refer to the millennials who are buying pets instead of entering parenthood. About 56% of millennials owned a dog as of 2018.
These dog owners will spend a ton of money on their pet, almost like they’re caring for a child instead of a pup. This makes the market for custom dog gifts astronomical, especially treats. In fact, insiders consider treats one of the biggest trends in the pet industry, with loving owners usually giving their dogs about 8 to 10 a day.
This demographic is going to love custom treats for their dogs. Need proof? Take a look at even more stats about today’s dog owners!
- 67% of Millennials refer to their dogs as “fur babies.”
- 18.5% of Millennials will spend over $100 on their dogs every month.
- The average dog owner will spend about $1,285 a year on their pet.
- 3 out of 4 female dog owners consider themselves a “dog mom.”
- The trend is continuing into the future as 52% of Gen Z’ers think their dog is their child.
- The International Business Times predicts there will be an increase in “pet socials” in the future. Owners will literally go everywhere with their dogs, whether it’s running a 5K or eating out at a restaurant.
- The U.S. pet food market is expected to reach $30 billion in 2022.
- 64% of pet owners are interested in treats made with premium ingredients.
Custom biscuits and gourmet dog treats feel a lot more personal and special than just a simple milkbone from the grocery store. The millennials out there, or the “pet parents” or “dog moms,” won’t hesitate in getting these tasty snacks from your store for their “children.”
Custom dog treats have been bestsellers for years, and now more than ever! They’re a fun unique way to promote a pet business.
Mimi I., Customer Service Rep at AP Specialties
Where Can You Find Custom Dog Treats?
You can buy custom dog treats in bulk from a promotional products company, like Quality Logo Products®. Many small specialty shops and doggy bakeries around the country have already started offering personalized treats as a way to boost business.
Check out these dog bakeries next time you’re in the area!
Naked Dog Bistro Facebook Page
Naked Dog Bistro
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Naked Dog Bistro is owned and operated by a mother and daughter. Come for their custom dog biscuits and cupcakes, stay for their unique selection of treats made with CBD oil.
Three Dog Bakery
Location: Kansas City, MO
Does your dog have picky taste? Three Dog Bakery is the place for you! They have a wide assortment of treats, beautifully packaged in custom bags or containers.
https://www.polkadog.com/
Polkadog Bakery
Location: Boston, MA
Polkadog uses natural ingredients in their selection of biscuits, treats, and most notably, dehydrated jerky. You can also find branded swag at their store, including t-shirts, stickers, tote bags, and even baby onesies!
www.tailsinthecity.com
Tails in the City
Location: Chicago, IL
Tails in the City has it all – fashionable dog clothes, unique dog toys, stylish collars, and a wide assortment of gourmet treats. They are baked fresh right at their location and can be bought both at the store and online.
Bark on Park Facebook
Bark Boutique
Location: Jacksonville, FL
“Bark on Park” is one of the most popular pet bakeries in Florida. Not only do they offer custom made dog treats, but you an also come for grooming, training, novelty dog toys, a fully-fledged doggy day care, and even beer for dogs!
https://thedoggieexpress.com/
Doggie Express
Location: Houston, TX
Doggie Express has the usual fare, like sweet treats and cakes, but you can also get ice cream for your dog in custom containers. Try all the flavors like Peanut Butter Banana Bacon, and everyone’s favorite, Ruffy Road.
https://www.dogbakeryonline.com/
DOG Bakery
Location: Traverse City, MI
Traverse City is a small, artsy town with a lot of good shops in their downtown area. Be sure to check out DOG Bakery, where you can buy branded packages of pet treats made with natural, healthy ingredients.
Bocce’s Bakery Instagram
Bocce’s Bakery
Location: New York, NY
Bocce’s Bakery sells organic biscuits in a variety of flavors. Each is packaged in bags that are printed with the bakery’s name and bone logo.
You’ll find dog bakeries and specialty treat shops around the country, and people sure love to visit all of them. In fact, Americans alone spent nearly $70 billion on their pets in 2017, which includes specialty foods, gourmet dog treats, and luxury items.
Imagine how much of an impact you can make if your company’s logo or name is on everything they buy!
We bake our own line of dog treats so we can control what goes into them. All with easy to follow serving suggestions.
Lindsey Poe, owner of the Naked Dog Bistro in Laguna Beach, CA
Why Do People Love Dogs?
Every dog deserves a special treat. They’re always around to make us laugh, keep us company when we’re sad, and be a part of the family. Plus, they’re insanely cuddly and cute. What’s not to love?
If you work in the pet industry, you should show your dogs and their owners the same amount of love with a selection of unique dog treats and branded goodies!
Dogs are awesome because they give you unconditional love, especially when you need it most. When you have a dog in your life, you will not be lonely.
Michelle G., Executive Director at Tails Humane Society
The Bottom Line
You really can’t go wrong making custom dog treats part of your business. The dogs will gobble them up, and the owners will find it all so cute, they’ll just have to pay you a visit again. It looks like every dog has their day after all!
References
Kestenbaum, R. (2018, November 27). The Biggest Trends in the Pet Industry. Retrieved June 10, 2019 from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2018/11/27/the-biggest-trends-in-the-pet-industry/#559b948ff099
PR Newswire. (2017, December 13). 5 Trends Shaping $26 Million Pet Food Market in 2018 and Beyond. Retrieved June 10, 2019 from
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/5-trends-shaping-26-billion-pet-food-market-in-2018-and-beyond-300570983.html
Bulldog Guide. (2019). Dog Bakery! 10 Amazing Dog Bakeries You Have to See! Retrieved June 10, 2019 from
https://bulldogguide.com/dog-bakery-10-amazing-dog-bakeries/
Myers, D. (2013, September 13). America’s 20 Best Bakeries for Dogs. Retrieved June 10, 2019 from
https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/america-20-best-bakeries-dogs-slideshow
Ell, K. (2018, April 9). Health and Wellness Products for Your Pet are a Growing Industry, Says Pet Company CEO. Retrieved June 10, 2019 from
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/pet-products-a-growing-industry-pet-company-ceo.html
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2019). Market Research Statistics: U.S. Veterinarians 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2019 from
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/market-research-statistics-us-veterinarians-2018
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2019). Market Research Statistics: U.S. Veterinarians 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2019 from
https://www.petbusiness.com/archives/how-millennials-spend-on-their-pets/article_a05c7fcf-6343-560d-bf5b-05ba5fecdcb3.html
The Dog People. (2019). Dog Moms Take Pet Parenting Seriously, New Survey Shows. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-mom-survey-rover/
Coile, C., Bonham, M. (2008). Why Do Dogs Like Balls? Retrieved June 11, 2019, from Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.: New York, NY.
Joybird. (2019). 12 Fascinating Stats About Pet Ownership in the US. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://joybird.com/blog/pet-ownership-statistics/
Lange, C. (2018, May 22). National Pet Month: Here’s How Much Millennials Spend on Their Pets. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/budget-and-spending/2018/05/22/how-much-millennials-spend-on-pets/34900989/
Rowland, C. (2018, December 28). Pet Industry Spending Trends Expected in 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.ibtimes.com/pet-industry-spending-trends-expected-2019-2746276
Semple, J. (2018, December 28). State of the US Pet Food and Treat Industry. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/12825-state-of-the-us-pet-food-and-treat-industry
Mintel Press. (2017, September 21). US Sales of Pet Treats Outpace Dog/Cat Food Over the Last Five Years. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/us-sales-of-pet-treats-outpace-dogcat-food-over-the-last-five-years/
AKC Staff. (2019, May 29). Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
Pet Md. (2019). Understanding Common Pet Food Ingredients. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food
Healthline. (2019). Can My Dog Eat This? A List of Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/human-foods-for-dogs
Canna Pet. (2018, March 5). 10 Homemade Foods for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs. Retrieved June 11, 2019, from
https://canna-pet.com/articles/10-homemade-foods-dogs-sensitive-stomachs/
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