California pet food & treat registration

California registers: per facility: a Pet Food Processor License (in California) or Registration (out of state) for each facility that manufactures, packs, labels or warehouses processed pet food. No per-product registration. Product fee: None. License or firm fee: $190 per facility/yr. Tonnage report: no.

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The facts, with sources

Agency	California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Food and Drug BranchSource: cdph.ca.gov
What's registered	Per facility: a Pet Food Processor License (in California) or Registration (out of state) for each facility that manufactures, packs, labels or warehouses processed pet food. No per-product registration.Source: cdph.ca.gov
Product registration fee	None (labels are submitted with the facility application)Source: cdph.ca.gov
Package-size rule	No package-size ruleSource: cdph.ca.gov
License / firm fee	$190 per facility per yearSource: cdph.ca.gov · Raised from $166 to $190 on July 1, 2025. Also stated on application CDPH 8676 (7/2025) and in the FAQ.
Registration period	Valid for 1 year from issueSource: cdph.ca.gov
Renewal due	Annually, by the expiration date on your license (no fixed statewide date)Source: cdph.ca.gov
Tonnage report required?	No. CDFA's commercial feed program, which collects feed tonnage, does not regulate food for domestic pets.Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Tonnage report frequency	Not applicableSource: cdfa.ca.gov
Tonnage report due	Not applicableSource: cdfa.ca.gov
Form or portal	https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph8676.pdfSource: cdph.ca.gov
License / firm form	https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph8676.pdfSource: cdph.ca.gov
What to send	Application CDPH 8676, a representative label for each form of pet food, and the $190 fee by check. Out-of-state facilities also send a health permit/certificate for the facility and an ingredient list for each product.Source: cdph.ca.gov
Home-kitchen pet treats	Facility required California doesn't allow processed pet food, including treats, to be made, packaged, labeled or stored in a home; it must come from an approved facility, such as a commercial kitchen. Condition: A Pet Food Processor License for the approved facility. Raw meat and poultry pet food is licensed by CDFA instead.Source: cdph.ca.gov · CDPH Pet Food FAQ, Q5: “Can I make pet treats from home? A: No, processed pet food, including treats, cannot be manufactured, packaged, labeled, or stored in a residential home. All processed pet foods must be produced and distributed from an approved facility.” California's Cottage Food Law doesn't cover pet food: processed pet food isn't on the approved list for cottage food operations.Source: cdph.ca.gov · CDPH, Procedures for Obtaining a Pet Food Processor License or Registration (rev. 8/2025), item 11: “processed pet food is not on the Approved Food Products List for Cottage Food Operations. Processed pet food must be prepared in a commercial kitchen, and not in a residence.” Selling homemade dog treats in California

Checked October 3, 2026 against the linked agency pages, forms and statutes.

Also see: AAFCO's California page. AAFCO's state pages show no update date.

Where AAFCO's page differs

AAFCO's page lists “Current Tonnage tax rate is 0.12/ton of finished feed sold in CA; reported quarterly. Current License fee is $500.00 per year.” (under CDFA's commercial feed program; the page names CDPH as the contact for all pet foods); the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says “Pet Food Processor License/Registration $166 $190 $190” (the fee table's current, new and renewal annual fees; the $190 applies from July 1, 2025)Source: cdph.ca.gov

The facts above follow the state's source. Compared October 4, 2026.

Horse, livestock, poultry and wild-bird feed

Different rules Different agency and fees. Feed for horses, livestock and poultry is regulated by CDFA's Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, not CDPH: a commercial feed license of $500 per location per year and quarterly tonnage reports. No product registration. CDPH's pet food registration doesn't apply.Source: cdfa.ca.gov · Food & Agricultural Code 14925 excludes feed for domestic pets "such as dogs, cats, and birds" from commercial feed; 3 CCR 2751(b) sets the $500 license. CDFA's license guide lists horses, poultry, laying hens, gamebirds and rabbits as licensed species.

For other animal feed in California: product fee None; license or firm fee $500 per location/yr; tonnage report yes.

Agency	California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Commercial Feed Regulatory ProgramSource: cdfa.ca.gov
What's registered	Per location: a commercial feed license for each location that manufactures, distributes or stores feed, and wherever your name is on the label. No product registration.Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Product registration fee	None per productSource: cdfa.ca.gov · CDFA: the program is funded by a licensing fee and an inspection fee based on tonnage sold.
Package-size rule	No package-size ruleSource: cdfa.ca.gov
License / firm fee	$500 per location per year; not prorated. Renewing more than a month late adds $100.Source: cdfa.ca.gov · 3 CCR 2751(b), (d), (e); Food & Agricultural Code 15053-15055.
Registration period	July 1 to June 30Source: cdfa.ca.gov · Food & Agricultural Code 15054.
Renewal due	July 1 each year (licenses expire June 30)Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Tonnage report required?	Yes. The licensee named on the label of packaged feed reports every quarter, including zero reports.Source: cdfa.ca.gov · 3 CCR 2750(a)-(c). Fee depends on tonnage; see the agency.
Tonnage report frequency	Quarterly (calendar quarters)Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Tonnage report due	April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31, for the quarter just endedSource: cdfa.ca.gov
Form or portal	https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/CommercialFeedReg.htmlSource: cdfa.ca.gov · Apply, report tonnage and pay through CDFA's ExtraView database, linked from this page.
License / firm form	https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/docs/commercial_feed_license_application_guide.pdfSource: cdfa.ca.gov
What to send	A commercial feed license application in CDFA's ExtraView online database (paper applications are available if you have no internet access), with the $500 fee for each locationSource: cdfa.ca.gov

California's commercial feed law excludes feed for domestic pets such as dogs, cats and birds; pet food goes to CDPH instead.Source: cdfa.ca.gov · Food & Agricultural Code 14925.
A retail store that only sells packaged feed labeled by a licensed manufacturer doesn't need a license.Source: cdfa.ca.gov
If a feed mill makes your product with your name on the label, CDFA requires a license at your headquarters and at the mill.Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Late quarterly reports cost $100 (zero tons) or $200 (under 10,000 tons); late payments add 15% of the amount due.Source: cdfa.ca.gov · 3 CCR 2750(b).

Calculate California fees for other animal feed · California commercial feed license · All 50 states and DC for feed

Selling pet or horse supplements? What California's feed law says, word for word.

Due dates

July 1: California CDFA commercial feed license renewal due ($500 per location; licenses expire June 30) (other animal feed only)Source: cdfa.ca.gov
April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31: California quarterly feed tonnage report due (previous quarter; zero reports required). Fee depends on tonnage; see the agency. (other animal feed only)Source: cdfa.ca.gov
Your own expiry date: California Pet Food Processor Registration expires (renew; $30 late fee after 30 days)Source: cdph.ca.gov

See all states' renewal dates

Good to know

A brand that contracts out all manufacturing, packing, labeling and warehousing does not need its own registration, but each contractor facility must hold one.Source: cdph.ca.gov · FAQ Q4 and Q7.
Fresh or frozen raw pet food containing meat or poultry is licensed by CDFA's Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch instead.Source: cdph.ca.gov
Processed pet food can't be made, packed, labeled or stored in a home; it must come from an approved facility such as a commercial kitchen.Source: cdph.ca.gov · FAQ Q5.
California manufacturers with organic claims also need an Organic Processed Product Registration.Source: cdph.ca.gov
Late fee: $30 if more than 30 days past the expiration date.Source: cdph.ca.gov

Selling in more than one state?

The free calculator adds up product and license fees across states and flags the tonnage-report states. The $49 Registration Pack turns it into a per-product, per-state checklist with form links and a renewal calendar.

Making treats at home? Selling homemade dog treats in California · Do I need a license to sell dog treats? · Selling online · Tonnage reports by state

Nearby states

Oregon pet food registration (product fee none; license none)
Nevada pet food registration (product fee none; license $75 per license/yr)
Arizona pet food registration (product fee none; license $10 per facility/yr)

Other states: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming