Homemade Dog Treats  

Hi vonmac..You raise a very important point and yes I have checked out all legalities for same as lawsuit was my first thought when exploring the idea. The FDA under FFDCA states that pet food must be safe, wholesome and pure. Produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful ingredients (DAH...) and be honestly labeled. Some states require treats to be made in a commercially licensed kitchen while others allow the home kitchen. Although it seems wrong, no prior FDA approval is required..State laws will vary from place to place. Here in Florida if the product contains meat than a special license is required. If not, non meat treats just have to be labeled not for human consumption, although mine could be eaten by people, they are all natural. (You'd be better off with my dog treats than McDonalds so called food, believe me) All ingredients must be listed in case of allergies and you also have to state that treats do not meet a daily requirement of nutrition. Other than the reqular tax laws as applied to flea markets, thats about it.. I think I've done my homework properly but will double check with legal before taking them to market..Thats probably way more info than you bargained for..sorry..Happy New Year J

Hi GG..So nice to hear from you as always..What a great tip about arriving at a price..I'm going to figure it out tomorrow and see what I come up with..Thanks. You know, since I started this venture, I've been searching high and low for a doggie bone cut out and cant find one anywhere!! You'd think they would be everywhere,,so the search goes on..If you wouldn't mind pm'ing me a dog treat recipe or two, I'd surly appreciate it..I have to stay away from meat due to FDA laws but anything else would be great..I'm trying to collect as many as possible and am testing them out on my two dogs..They just hate this!!! Ya right, they haven't left my side since this whole process began!! Togetherness is their new motto!! Happy Healthy New Year to you...J

Hi kspitz..I'm liking that price..but here in the deep South it might be tuff to get. I guess you dont know till you try, right? Sorry about your asthma..I thank God everyday that I dont have it as I would be lost without my two friends..They sure bring a lot of love to my life..Thanks for the post..J

Hi rainie..Please dont take offense but I once had a Lipizzan Stallion whos name was Rainie!! She was a beautiful creature that believe it or not a little rich girl abandoned..It seems her rich boyfriend bought it for her and when she tired of it she left her to fend for herself and the poor thing was almost starved by the time I found her standing in a stall where she had been for God only knows how long..Anyway, I had her for about 15 years and finally had to turn her out to live out her days as we could no longer ride her..I still miss her today..Anyway...I took your advice and went to the Dollar store and bought all the tins they had with cute little puppies on them..They were 3 for 1.00 so I took them all. The mgr. said he'll try to get me some more..Still working on a price but have had some good input so we'll see how it goes..Just waiting on paperwork from the state and its off to market we go!! thanks for the post J

Hi arun...Now I know what a rupee is equal to in US dollars..Thanks!! Thats isn't too far off from what I was thinking, maybe a little low. I have to figure in my time and materials, which is where it gets tricky..All I can do is price them what I feel is fair and if they don't sell, then I'll lower it and so on..I think people are willing to pay for quality and as long as all government regulations are met, hopefully I'll have a winner..Happy New Year and sorry it took so long to get back..I've been traveling for the holidays and just now getting to my computer .Thanks for your post...J

You might want to check out this site I found. It might give you some ideas...

http://naturalwoof.com/hobadogco.html

Hi koalatbs,,Thanks for the website,,its a great site and I've got some good info from it. I purchased some really cute cheap tins from the Dollar Store that I think are going to help sell them..Who dosen't like a tin with beautiful puppies all over it?? lol..As far as a name goes, I have a list of about 35 and am now trying to narrow it down..As far as the ingredients go, the FDA requirements to sell doggie treats cover that and everything has to be put on a label along with some other pertainant info..There is a lot more to this than I originally thought, but its just like anything else..Good results only come from hard work..and that I can take to the bank..Thanks for your input and Happy New Year..J

Hi nitinshukla,,Thanks for all the good input..There is a lot to this just like marketing anything but my major in college was marketing so hopefully that training is going to help me..It would sure make my parents happy to finally see me use my education!!! I went to culinary school also, which, while they love to eat, arn't all that pleased with the fruits I've produced with my marketing degree!! I look at this product as something that isn't trendy, is always in demand and with a cute package, (Americans are so caught up in packaging) it should be a go..Maybe one day you'll see me and my dogs on your supermarket shelf!! (If you couldn't tell, I'm a big dreamer...Unfortunately, you cant deposit dreams into any bank I know of!) Thanks for the post and Happy New Year...

Hi my friend..I really like your "try me" idea..That always gets my attention and I think holds true for most people..I've since my post, come up with a preliminary price but it also flucuates depending on different ingredients..I'm going to start with three types but can use no meat due to US FDA requirements. It would be way too costly to obtain the proper licenses to sell meat products. As far as packaging I am going to start with inexpensive tins, like cookie tins, but a little smaller an was lucky enough to find some dog themed ones that I think will attract pet lovers. There is a whole lot more to this than I had originally anticipated but I'm into it now so will see it through. Failure or success, my dogs are loving being the tasters and so far they seem to like everything!! I try to watch their little faces for a smile or frown but they gobble them so fast its hard to get a reading!!! only kidding...Thanks, as always, for your post...J Oh and I'd love to send you some...and I will..pm me your mailing info and you'll be my first victim!! just kidding again...J

Hi Java..Oh do,,its so much fun to watch them enjoy them..Like I was telling someone else, my two haven't left my side when I go to kitchen since all this started..They love being the official testers and love it when they hear that oven click on..They can be sound asleep and that little click of the oven the they are UP, tails wagging and laying by my feet, often in my way, but refusing to leave!! If you need some recipes, I'd be happy to pm you some..I'll add you as friend and dont hesitate to ask..Making your dog happy makes me happy!!! J

Hi Ladymetal..Wow,,if I could get 4.00 per ea, I'd be thrilled..I'm going to try the flea market thing though and am not sure if I could get that much..In these very oppressive times we are experiencing, I'm not even sure if they will sell at all but then there is always the people like you and me who love to buy special treats for our best friends..I'm kind of counting on it..Thanks for your post and Happy New Year to you and yours..J