Selling homemade pet treats in Virginia: VDACS licensing explained
Virginia pet treats are commercial feed, not cottage food. Here's what VDACS requires — feed license, per-product registration, labeling, and farmers market food safety.
Dog biscuits are a natural farmers market add-on for cottage bakers — but in Virginia, pet treats are regulated as commercial feed, not as cottage food. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) publishes a dedicated guide: Home Manufactured Pet Foods/Treats: What You Need to Know.
Pet treats ≠ Virginia cottage food
Virginia's home food processor exemption covers human shelf-stable baked goods and similar products. Pet foods and treats fall under VDACS feed regulations instead. Even if you already qualify as a home food processor, you still need a Commercial Feed License before selling pet treats.
Three steps before your first sale
- Obtain a Virginia Commercial Feed License ($35–$50/year) from VDACS
- Register each pre-packaged product ($50 per distinct product) or pay bulk tonnage fees if selling self-serve
- Label every package with species, ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and manufacturer info
Labeling is the hardest part
- Front label must state which animal species the treat is for
- Guaranteed analysis (protein, fat, fiber, moisture) usually requires a process authority or lab
- Treats should say "For intermittent or supplemental feeding only"
- Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
Food safety at the market
Pathogens like Salmonella can contaminate pet treats and sicken both pets and their owners. VDACS and Virginia Cooperative Extension recommend proper hand hygiene, clean equipment, approved ingredient suppliers, and temperature-controlled storage for refrigerated products (41°F or below).
Where to go next
Read the full Virginia pet treats guide with the official PDF cover and step-by-step summary, then check Virginia cottage food rules for your human products. More state guides live on the pet treat guidance hub.
Crosodo Blog entries are recipe and craft notes from working cottage bakers. Recipes assume working with an active starter and basic equipment. Cottage food sales are governed by your state's law — see our state directory for legal details.