All states › Do I need a license to sell dog treats?
In the US, usually yes, and it's the state that decides. Pet treats count as pet food. 35 of the 50 states and DC register each product, 27 license the company, and Alaska and the District of Columbia have neither. Home kitchens: 15 say in published guidance or law that home kitchens are allowed, 6 have an agency statement that home makers must register or be licensed (quoted in the table; it doesn't say in so many words that home kitchens are allowed), 2 require a commercial facility, and for 28 we found no published rule, so ask the agency. Every fact links to the state's own page, form or law, checked October 3, 2026.
FDA's Pet Food page: “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates pet food similar to that for other animal foods. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.”Source: fda.gov · FDA, Pet Food (content current as of 02/15/2024). The page also says “Some states also enforce their own labeling regulations.”
FDA: “As opposed to an animal drug, food for animals doesn’t need FDA’s pre-market review to be legally marketed (unless the substance is a food additive).”Source: fda.gov · FDA, FDA's Regulation of Pet Food (content current as of 02/17/2022).
FDA, for anyone starting an animal food business: “In addition to meeting federal requirements, your animal food business may also have to follow certain state regulatory requirements.”Source: fda.gov · FDA, How do I Start an Animal Food Business? (content current as of 02/13/2024), State Regulations section. It points to AAFCO for each state's requirements.
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, ending its pet food certification program in 2022: “This final rule clarifies that FDA has sole jurisdiction over pet food inspection”. It adds: “Individual States also regulate and inspect pet food”.Source: govinfo.gov · FSIS final rule, 87 FR 30773 (May 20, 2022), removing 9 CFR part 355.
USDA's label approval (9 CFR 412.1) is for meat “product”, which 9 CFR 301.2 defines as a carcass, meat, meat byproduct or meat food product “capable of use as human food”.Source: ecfr.gov · 9 CFR 412.1(a): “No final label may be used on any product unless the label has been submitted for approval to the FSIS Labeling and Program Delivery Staff”. Definition: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-III/subchapter-A/part-301/section-301.2
AAFCO: “There are no product registration or licensing requirements with the federal government.” And: “Animal feed and pet food are regulated at the state level, and each state has their own requirements, forms and fees.”Source: aafco.org · AAFCO, Starting a Pet Food Business. AAFCO itself has no regulatory authority; the states do.
AAFCO: “When selling your products on the internet, this would legally be considered as distributing your products in every state. The laws in most states require that you register your products and/or license your company BEFORE you offer your products for sale in that state.”Source: aafco.org · AAFCO, Starting a Pet Food Business: “You must comply with the regulations in each state where you sell your products. This includes internet sales.”
AAFCO: “shipping product into a state in response to an internet purchase constitutes “distribution”.” It advises internet retailers “to determine and comply with the registration and/or licensure requirements of each state in which they intend to distribute product prior to shipment into that state.”Source: aafco.org · AAFCO, Internet and Farmers Market sales.
| State | Home kitchen allowed? | Product registration? | License? | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No published ruleSource: agi.alabama.gov | Yes | Yes | product $50/yr; license $45 per firm/yrSource: admincode.legislature.state.al.us |
| Alaska | No published ruleSource: dnr.alaska.gov | No | No | NoneSource: dnr.alaska.gov |
| Arizona | No published ruleSource: agriculture.az.gov | No | Yes | license $10 per facility/yrSource: apps.azsos.gov |
| Arkansas | No published ruleSource: agriculture.arkansas.gov | No | Yes | license $10 per facility/yrSource: arkleg.state.ar.us |
| California | Facility requiredA Pet Food Processor License for the approved facility. Raw meat and poultry pet food is licensed by CDFA instead.Source: cdph.ca.gov | No | Yes | license $190 per facility/yrSource: cdph.ca.gov |
| Colorado | AllowedUse good manufacturing practices and avoid contamination by bacteria or disinfectants. A product made at home can't be called human-grade.Source: ag.colorado.gov | Yes | Yes | product $25/yr; license $75 per company/yrSource: ag.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut | No published ruleSource: portal.ct.gov | Yes | No | product $80/yrSource: portal.ct.gov |
| Delaware | No published ruleSource: agriculture.delaware.gov | Yes | No | product $100/yrSource: delcode.delaware.gov |
| District of Columbia | No published ruleSource: dchealth.dc.gov | No | No | NoneSource: code.dccouncil.gov |
| Florida | No published ruleSource: fdacs.gov | No | Yes | license $40–$3500/yr by tonnageSource: leg.state.fl.us |
| Georgia | No published ruleSource: agr.georgia.gov | Yes | Yes | product $40/yr; license $75 per firm/yrSource: agr.georgia.gov |
| Hawaii | Facility requiredThe facility must be open to inspection by the Food and Drug Branch and meet the federal good manufacturing practice rules (21 CFR 110). No permit or license is required.Source: health.hawaii.gov | No | No | NoneSource: health.hawaii.gov |
| Idaho | Agency: home makers register Idaho State Department of Agriculture: “Even homemade pet treats are required to have a complete label and be registered with ISDA.”Register each product before sale, with a complete label that includes a guaranteed analysis and calorie content.Source: agri.idaho.gov | Yes | No | product $40/yrSource: adminrules.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | AllowedTo distribute it you need the license, product registration and labeling, and must follow current good manufacturing practices. Giving pet food away counts as distribution.Source: agr.illinois.gov | Yes | Yes | product $90/yr; license $30 per firm/yrSource: agr.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Agency: home makers need a license Office of Indiana State Chemist: “Everyone must be licensed regardless of company size or amount distributed.”Everyone must hold an Indiana commercial feed license, regardless of company size or amount distributed.Source: oisc.purdue.edu | Yes | Yes | product $50/yr; license $50 per firm/yrSource: iga.in.gov |
| Iowa | Agency: home makers register Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship: “Bakeries / Homemakers / Farmers Markets ... License, register, and label according to state and federal law. NO EXCEPTION in the law.”License, product registration and labels, as for any pet food maker. The handout names no kitchen or inspection condition.Source: iowaagriculture.gov | Yes | Yes | product $50/yr; license $20 per facility per 2 yrsSource: iowaagriculture.gov |
| Kansas | Agency: home makers need a feed license Kansas Department of Agriculture: “Type of Processing ... Home Kitchen Manufacturing”The Kansas animal feed license applies, with product registration for pet food in small packages. No home-kitchen inspection condition is published.Source: agriculture.ks.gov | Yes | Yes | product $25/yr; license $10 per facility/yrSource: agriculture.ks.gov |
| Kentucky | No published ruleSource: rs.uky.edu | Yes | No | product $50/yrSource: rs.uky.edu |
| Louisiana | AllowedLDAF won't inspect the home under normal circumstances, but a complaint investigation may require an inspection.Source: assets.ctfassets.net | Yes | Yes | product $10/yr; license $40–$240 per firm/yr by package sizeSource: assets.ctfassets.net |
| Maine | AllowedEvery product is still registered each year; the home-based total is $80 plus the $20 surcharge.Source: legislature.maine.gov | Yes | No | product $100/yrSource: legislature.maine.gov |
| Maryland | No published ruleSource: mda.maryland.gov | Yes | No | product $50/yrSource: mgaleg.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | No published ruleSource: mass.gov | Yes | No | product $100/yrSource: mass.gov |
| Michigan | AllowedA Michigan commercial feed license is required, and the home kitchen is subject to routine feed sanitation (good manufacturing practices) inspection by MDARD.Source: web.archive.org | No | Yes | license $25–$100 per license/yr by package sizeSource: legislature.mi.gov |
| Minnesota | AllowedEither the commercial feed license and product registration, or Minnesota's cottage food exemption for baked or dehydrated dog and cat treats made by a registered cottage food producer (below).Source: mda.state.mn.us | Yes | Yes | product $100/yr; license $75 per location/yrSource: revisor.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | No published ruleSource: mdac.ms.gov | Yes | Yes | product $25/yr; license $100 per facility/yrSource: agnet.mdac.ms.gov |
| Missouri | Agency: home makers register Missouri Department of Agriculture: “This Applies to anyone who wants to product [sic] pet food/treat in their own home or in a commercial facility.”Commercial feed license and product registration, as for any maker. Feed inspectors may enter places of business, including manufacturing sites.Source: agriculture.mo.gov | Yes | Yes | product $90/yr; license $35 per facility/yrSource: agriculture.mo.gov |
| Montana | No published ruleSource: agr.mt.gov | Yes | No | product $50/yrSource: mca.legmt.gov |
| Nebraska | AllowedUsing raw meat ingredients? The department asks you to call its Commercial Feed Program first (402-471-2351).Source: nda.nebraska.gov | Yes | Yes | product $25/yr; license $15 per facility/yrSource: nda.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada | No published ruleSource: agri.nv.gov | No | Yes | license $75 per license/yrSource: agri.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire | No published ruleSource: agriculture.nh.gov | Yes | No | product $120/yrSource: gc.nh.gov |
| New Jersey | No published ruleSource: nj.gov | No | Yes | license $250 per facility/yrSource: nj.gov |
| New Mexico | No published ruleSource: nmdeptag.nmsu.edu | Yes | No | product $102–$127/yrSource: nmdeptag.nmsu.edu |
| New York | AllowedEach product is registered with the department before it is sold. A home-processed pet treat can't be advertised as human grade.Source: agriculture.ny.gov | Yes | No | product $100/yrSource: agriculture.ny.gov |
| North Carolina | AllowedRegister each product. The facility, home included, is subject to inspection by the Animal Feed Program and must meet the federal good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 507, Subpart B).Source: ncagr.gov | Yes | No | product $5–$45/yrSource: ncagr.gov |
| North Dakota | AllowedAll four conditions must be met; otherwise each product is registered before it is sold.Source: legis.nd.gov | Yes | No | product $100 per 2 yrsSource: legis.nd.gov |
| Ohio | No published ruleSource: agri.ohio.gov | No | Yes | license $50 per registration/yrSource: codes.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | No published ruleSource: ag.ok.gov | No | Yes | license $50 per firm/yrSource: law.cornell.edu |
| Oregon | AllowedMeatless treats only. Animal food processing is a prohibited activity in a licensed home (domestic) kitchen, so treats with meat are made in a licensed facility outside it.Source: oregon.gov | No | No | NoneSource: oregon.gov |
| Pennsylvania | No published rulePDA's general guidance, not specific to homes: every licensed facility may be inspected during business hours, and no inspection is needed before the license.Source: pa.gov | No | Yes | license $25 per license/yrSource: pa.gov |
| Rhode Island | No published ruleSource: dem.ri.gov | Yes | No | product $60/yrSource: webserver.rilegislature.gov |
| South Carolina | AllowedRegister each product, including for online sales. A consumer complaint can lead to an inspection of the home kitchen.Source: agriculture.sc.gov | Yes | No | product $20/yrSource: agriculture.sc.gov |
| South Dakota | No published ruleSource: danr.sd.gov | Yes | Yes | product $99/yr; license $50 per location per 2 yrsSource: sdlegislature.gov |
| Tennessee | No published ruleTennessee's feed license application asks “Are you producing pet treats/feed from your residence?”, but no published rule says what follows from the answer.Source: stateoftennessee.formstack.com | No | Yes | license check with the agencySource: publications.tnsosfiles.com |
| Texas | No published ruleSource: otsc.tamu.edu | Yes | Yes | product $50/yr; license $75 per facility, one timeSource: otsc.tamu.edu |
| Utah | AllowedLabeled “Assorted Pet Treats”; may not be distributed outside Utah; retail sales only.Source: le.utah.gov | Yes | No | product $75/yrSource: ag.utah.gov |
| Vermont | No published ruleSource: agriculture.vermont.gov | Yes | No | product $105/yrSource: legislature.vermont.gov |
| Virginia | AllowedCommercial feed license, product registration and an approved label first. Good Manufacturing Practices must be followed, and VDACS inspectors may inspect and sample your products at any time.Source: vdacs.virginia.gov | Yes | Yes | product $50/yr; license $50 per license/yrSource: vdacs.virginia.gov |
| Washington | Agency: home makers register Washington State Department of Agriculture: “I make a dog treat out of my home and I sell them at the Farmers Market in 4 ounce packages: You are required to register each product you sell.”Register each product with WSDA before you sell it. No home-kitchen inspection condition is published.Source: agr.wa.gov | Yes | No | product $22–$90 per 2 yrsSource: agr.wa.gov |
| West Virginia | No published ruleSource: agriculture.wv.gov | Yes | No | product $75–$175/yrSource: agriculture.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin | AllowedCommercial feed license, annual tonnage report and labeling rules. DATCP's FAQ adds that the kitchen must be clean and in good repair, and to check with your municipality for local rules.Source: datcp.wi.gov | No | Yes | license $25 per license/yrSource: datcp.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | No published ruleSource: agriculture.wy.gov | Yes | No | product $40/yrSource: wyoleg.gov |
"Allowed" means the state's published guidance or law says pet treats made in a home kitchen can be sold, usually once you register or are licensed; the condition is shown under it. "Agency: home makers register" (or "need a license") is our short summary of the agency's own words, which are quoted beside it; that agency doesn't say in so many words that home kitchens are allowed. "No published rule" means we didn't find one; ask the agency. Fees are registration and license fees for dog and cat food and treats; tonnage fees depend on how much you sell and aren't shown. Checked October 3, 2026.