PETS+ BRAIN SQUAD MEMBERS said they want truly tiny training treats, plus offered more insight into this product category.
How many different brands of dog treats do you carry?
Rank by importance for deciding which treats to carry in your store:
Do you offer bulk treats?
If you offer bulk treats, how do you price them?
The majority of “Other” answers said you price them individually, and those answers mainly applied to body parts.
RETAILER WISHLIST
What do you wish existed in the dog treat category?
- I would love to see more treats for dogs with protein sensitivities. A lot of treats will show a single protein or ingredient on the front, but when you look at the full ingredient list, there are other proteins and fi llers. This can make fi nding treats for sensitive-stomach pets more di cult. — Pamela Pressley, Powell Pet Food and Supply, Powell, TN
- More truly tiny treats for training. I wish every brand that marketed “training” treats sat in on a modern, reinforcement-based training class and observed how many treats are given to a dog per hour. The majority of “training” treats on the market are too large for class use. With the growing popularity of positive-reinforcement dog training, this is a huge opportunity for brands to win the loyalty of trainers and benefi t from these experts promoting their treats! — Katherine Ostiguy, Crossbones, Providence, RI
- Single-ingredient variety packs. — Keela Huotari, Yellowstone Kennels, Sidney, MT
- More options in soft chews in yogurt, cheese, cream cheese and whipped cream. — Kristi May, Legend Acres, Surprise, AZ
- Affordable freeze-dried shrimp options. I’ve carried this before, and dogs LOVE it, but the cost is high. — Angela Pantalone, Wag Central, Stratford, CT
- Treats without rosemary as a mold inhibitor. There are more and more dogs with seizure disorders. Manufacturers could use thyme or oregano for the same effect as a mold inhibitor, and it doesn’t react the same way in the body. — April Meier, Pawsitively Scrumptious Bark Bakery & Boutique, Crestview, FL
- Bulk that doesn’t arrive with so much breakage and crumbs. Pamela Cura, Paw Prints, Intercourse, PA More treats that are not only made in the U.S., but sourced here. Especially dog chews. — Elysa Cooper, Junebug’s Beach House, Wells, ME
- Longer-lasting chews that aren’t messy. — Jeff Manley, Wag Heaven, Georgetown, TX
- Packaging with a clear window to see the product. People are drawn to products they can see. — Danyle Morse, Claremont Pet & Aquarium Center, Claremont, NH
- A quality U.S.-made sweet potato single-ingredient treat that is still affordable. — Sam Ellsworth, Sacandaga Dog Supply, Northville, NY
- More tiny training reward-sized treats with single ingredients. — Stephanie Bennett, Believe In Dog Training, Houston, TX
- More “soft and tender” treats that are actually soft and tender. — Corey Heenan, Boutique and Pet Spa, Altamont, NY
- More prepackaged bundles of long-lasting treats. — Jennifer Hall, All Things Pawssible, Charlottesville, VA
- Bulk dental (true dental) treats or chews. — Gary Hughes, Gangsta Dog, Norfolk, VA
- I wish more variety packs existed. They are a fun and interesting way to try things. — Morgan Monty, The Cheshire Horse, Swanzey, NH
- Fish that doesn’t stink. — Lisa Degloria, Good Dog Gallery, Portsmouth, NH
- Availability of the most popular brands in major distributors, minus their “exclusivity contracts.” — Amber Hudson, The Aquarium Pet Store, Weatherford, OK
- Reasonably priced, proven functional treats. Ruth Sturgis, Dog Daze, North Syracuse, NY
- Better ingredients that stay shelf stable in the cute bakery-type goodies for our display case. — Jodi Etienne, Razzle Dazzle Doggie BowTique, Bradley, IL
- Soft treats with goat’s milk included that are shelf-stable. Megan Kurzwell, Forepaws, Minooka, IL
- Lick sticks or another medium to be able to treat your dog without having to take off your gloves/mittens. — Diane Mullen, Winni Paw Station, Wolfeboro, NH
- More large-breed friendly options that can be broken into smaller bites/chunks for smaller dogs. Right now, I mostly see chews in packs for smaller dogs, but the big dogs love jerky and crunchy cookies, too, but they’re made so small. — Christine Crew, Molly’s Mutt House, Houston, TX
- More “treat bar” options for cats. But part of that is educating cat parents that their cats will eat body parts, which actually clean teeth! — Adina Silberstein, Queenie’s Pets, Philadelphia, PA Healthy soft treats. Tara Myers, Paw Pad, Canton, OH
What’s the Brain Squad?
If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. or Canadian pet retail or services business, you’re invited to join the PETS+ Brain Squad. Take one five-minute quiz a month, and you’ll get a free T-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the pet industry. Sign up here.
