[ad_1]
Given how important nutrition is to pet health, starting your own dog food business can be an interesting and even lucrative idea. Indeed, according to IBISWorldthe pet food industry brings in $27 billion a year, and it keeps growing.
Of course, you can’t embark on such an adventure without first doing some research, especially regarding the regulations on the manufacture of pet food. Beyond the many steps involved in starting a business, there is also the complexity of nutritional standards for dog or cat food.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the plethora of information and standards to follow when starting this type of business. But don’t worry, here we give you 10 tips and tricks to start your dog food business on the right foot.
Familiarize yourself with pet food regulations
Your very first step should be to familiarize yourself with pet food regulations. After all, pet safety should be your top priority as a pet food manufacturer. The manufacture and sale of pet food is heavily regulated by federal and state governments. So here’s what to do first:
1. Visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website
Pet food products are regulated by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
FD&C law requires that all foods of animal origin:
Also, be aware that if you plan to manufacture and sell canned dog food, you must strictly comply with applicable regulations to avoid the presence of viable microorganisms.
Therefore, going through the FDA website, you will learn essential FDA pet food regulations, pet food marketing information, and labeling requirements. You can also visit the Center for Veterinary Medicine for more information on federal pet food regulations.
2. Comply with the regulations of each state where you want to sell your dog food
Since the FDA implements pet food regulatory policies with each U.S. state and with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), you should learn and understand pet food regulations of your state. This also applies to products you want to sell online.
Information on labeling and standard nutritional requirements for complete and balanced pet foods can be found at AAFCO website.
To note: Although the FDA is responsible for regulating the use of pet food products, the ultimate responsibility for producing safe and effective products rests with manufacturers and distributors.
3. Grab a copy of the official AAFCO publication
The official AAFCO publication is a wealth of information for all potential pet food manufacturers and sellers. This publication is available either at a local library or by purchasing a copy on its website.
Here are examples of the essential information you will find in the publication:
Learn more about the dog food industry
Once you are more familiar with FDA, AAFCO, and state pet food regulations, you should learn all you can about the dog food industry.
4. Visit the American Pet Products Association
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) exists to promote responsible pet care and advance the pet products industry. You’ll find plenty of resources to help you start your dog food business, including how to create a business plan, develop your marketing and promotion strategies, and identify your target market.
5. Get to know your competitors
Your goal when starting a dog food business isn’t necessarily to compete with the biggest players in the market, like Nestlé Purina Pet Care or Hill’s Pet Nutrition. However, it is good to study the different marketing and promotion strategies of these big brands, so that you can integrate them, on a smaller scale, into your start-up business.
6. Consider attending the Global Pet Food Expo
World Pet Show is a pet industry event aimed at showcasing and promoting the newest and most innovative products on the market. This event is presented by APPA and the Pet Industry Distributors Association. Even if you haven’t started your dog food business yet, you should still attend the event to get some valuable industry insights.
seven. Create Your Dog Food Business Plan
A clear plan is essential to succeed as an entrepreneur. You must therefore create your business plan with short, medium and long term objectives.
Here are some important topics to consider:
You can also visit the TRUiC page on “How to Start an LLCif you need help creating your business plan.
8. Identify your target market
It is also crucial to properly identify your target market. In the case of dog food, your target market should be primarily dog owners and/or pet stores. You should therefore plan your marketing and promotion strategies around one or both of these groups.
9. Register your dog food business
You must register your dog food business for it to comply with the law. One of the most common types of structures for this type of company is the limited liability company. You will also need pet business licenses for permission requirements. Check with your local licensing office for more information.
ten. Promote and market your dog food business
Once you’ve followed these steps and your dog food business is compliant, you need to focus on promoting your products. You can do this by creating a website, using social media, subscribing to online marketing tools like Google Ads or Facebook Advertising, and even partnering with other pet businesses. Word of mouth is also a powerful marketing strategy for attracting and retaining new customers.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know these tips and tricks for starting a dog food business, all you have to do is get to work! But above all, go at your own pace and don’t hesitate to seek advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.
Featured Image Credit: Tyler Olson, Shutterstock
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.