6 Dog Treat Business Success Stories [2024]
Dog treats are a cornerstone of the dog food market. If you enjoy baking and love dogs, you can combine these passions to create healthy, natural, and tasty treats for your furry friends.
As a dog treat entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to make delicious canine confections that are both good for dogs and enjoyable to eat.
Focus on ensuring your products meet the nutritional requirements and will be safe for their consumption, and consider introducing specialty services like custom birthday cakes and holiday gift boxes to provide an inviting niche.
Leverage online and local markets to transform homemade dog treats into a thriving and rewarding enterprise.
In this list, you'll find real-world dog treat business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a dog treat business that makes money.
1. iHeartDogs ($22M/year)
Justin Palmer and Marshall Morris came up with the idea for iHeartDogs after building large dog-themed Facebook communities. They realized the potential for a business centered around dog lovers and decided to create a brand that sold physical products and also served as a media property for advertising. The success of their first product, a beaded bracelet that represented meals donated to shelter pets, propelled them forward and they have since raised over $300,000 for various charitable causes. They have been profitable since their first month of operation and continue to grow on their own terms without outside funding.
How much money it makes: $22M/year
How many people on the team: 50
iHeartDogs is a lifestyle store and blog with over 25 million members in its Facebook communities, which sells products for pet dogs and donates to specific programs that rescue animals, totaling over 1.5 million pet heroes served.
2. Pawstruck ($21M/year)
Kyle, the founder and CEO of Pawstruck.com, came up with the idea for his business after struggling to find healthy, all-natural dog treats for his puppy. Frustrated by the lack of options, he decided to start his own e-commerce business to supply other pet owners with high-quality and reasonably priced dog products. With a dedicated team and a strong focus on customer retention, Pawstruck.com has experienced rapid growth, earning a spot on the Inc 500 list and projected revenue in the eight figures.
How much money it makes: $21M/year
How many people on the team: 25
Pawstruck.com founder and CEO Kyle Goguen shares the story of how his all-natural, reasonably-priced pet supply e-commerce business became one of the fastest growing companies in the US, ranking #87 on the Inc 500 in 2018, and is projected to surpass 8 figures in revenue in 2019.
3. Bell & Bone ($2.16M/year)
Frustrated by the lack of regulation and quality in pet food, Arianne launched Bell & Bone to offer superfood dog treats with clinical backing. Since launching their Dental Stick range in March 2020, the business has doubled its revenue annually and expanded to over 450 stores worldwide.
How much money it makes: $2.16M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 1
Australian dog food brand Bell & Bone has doubled its revenue each year since the launch of its Dental Stick range, which has led to the expansion of its distribution network to over 450 pet specialty stores in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Hong Kong, with plans to double its store count in the next financial year.
4. Dope Dog ($360K/year)
Michael and Erin, the co-founders of Dope Dog, came up with the idea for their business when their dog, James, needed a natural alternative to the medicine he was prescribed after ACL surgeries. They started supplementing with CBD and saw incredible results, which led them to create a line of CBD products specifically designed for dogs. Since their launch in 2017, they have grown organically and are currently generating $18,000 in monthly revenue.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How many people on the team: 2
Dope Dog, a CBD dog product company founded by Michael and Erin, went from 1 product to a full line of 9 products within a year, generating $18K in monthly revenue through organic growth and word of mouth marketing.
5. Treats Happen ($180K/year)
Lucas Walker and Riley Wallbank came up with the idea for their business, Treats Happen, when they were dissatisfied with the unhealthy dog treats available in stores. They decided to create their own line of all natural dog treats, starting as a hobby and then testing the market at a pet expo where they made $3,000 in sales. They have since focused on building their brand, expanding distribution, and improving their product offerings.
How much money it makes: $180K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Toronto-based Treats Happen saw a gap in the market for healthy dog treats, and now makes roughly $15K per month. Their biggest lesson? As a brand, they don't just sell on their website but want to be available on as many profitable channels as possible.
6. Dog With Blog ($4.8K/year)
Abhishek Joshi founded Dog with Blog in 2010 with the goal of making a difference in the lives of stray and abandoned dogs in India. Using content marketing and social media, Joshi has driven over 900 adoptions and built a community of 116k fans. The blog features articles on pet care, adoptions, and dogs in pop culture, and has partnered with brands such as National Geographic.
How much money it makes: $4.8K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 2
Dog with Blog, a content-driven pet adoption network in India led by founder Abhishek Joshi, has successfully driven 900+ dog adoptions using social media and content marketing, and has an active community of 116k fans across its social handles.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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