Pet food co-packers
Kibble, wet food, freeze-dried and raw, treats, chews and pet supplements. What to require from a pet food co-packer, the questions to ask, and US makers whose own websites back every claim we list.
Pet food plants register with the FDA and must follow the FSMA preventive controls rule for animal food. Nothing is approved before sale, so ask for their food safety plan and how they control pathogens.
Salmonella and Listeria cause many pet food and treat recalls, especially raw and freeze-dried. Ask whether every lot is tested and held until results come back.
A "complete and balanced" claim needs a formula that meets AAFCO nutrient profiles or passes a feeding trial. AAFCO does not certify plants, so ask who formulates and how the claim is backed.
Most states require pet food and treats to be registered before sale, with labels that follow the AAFCO model rules. The brand usually owns this, so budget for it and ask whether the co-packer helps.
Pet specialty chains and big-box retailers often ask for SQF, BRCGS or FSSC 22000. Check the certificate covers the line your product runs on.
Every bag and case should carry a lot code and best-by date tied to ingredient lots. Get minimums per recipe and bag size, and ingredient lead times, in writing.
US manufacturers whose own websites say they make these products for other brands.
12 of 12 manufacturers
La Vista, NE
Pet treat co-manufacturer in La Vista, Nebraska that grew out of a commercial bakery. It bakes, extrudes and presses crunchy and soft treats from ready-made or custom formulas and packs them in pouches, cartons or bulk.
Makes
Brainerd, MN
Family-owned pet food manufacturer with two plants in central Minnesota. It mills, extrudes and freeze-dries diets to a brand's formula or helps create one, then bags, labels, stores and ships the product.
Makes
Topeka, KS
Pet supplement maker in Topeka, Kansas producing soft chews, powders, oils, liquids and baked treats for dogs, cats and horses. It offers stock private label formulas, custom formulation, packaging and fulfillment, and says its low minimums suit startups.
Makes
Lisbon, OH · also NY, WI
Pet food maker with plants in Ohio, New York and Wisconsin producing extruded dry dog and cat food. It does custom formulation and private label work, plus a program of stock formulas shipped in plain bags that brands label themselves.
Makes
Green Bay, WI
Raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treat maker in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Its private label division handles product development through production and shipping for other brands.
Makes
Temecula, CA
Pet supplement manufacturer in Temecula, California making soft chews, tablets, powders and liquids for dogs, cats and horses. It sells stock formulas for private label, develops custom formulas, and packages and tests product in house.
Makes
Janesville, WI
Shelf-stable food co-manufacturer in Janesville, Wisconsin that makes wet pet food, broths and soups in Tetra Recart cartons and pouches. It runs pilots and small batches for growing brands as well as full production.
Makes
Syracuse, NE
Pet supplement private label and contract manufacturer in Nebraska, part of the FoodScience group. It sells stock chews, granules, powders and tablets under a brand's label or makes custom formulas, with minimums measured by weight.
Makes
Stated minimum: Soft chews from 504 units
Fort Collins, CO · also IL
Pet supplement and treat maker based in Fort Collins, Colorado with production in Illinois. It makes cold-extruded soft chews, baked and training treats, dental chews and kibble from custom formulas, or stock products for a brand's label.
Makes
Rockford, IL · also WI
Jerky and meat-based dog treat maker with plants in Rockford, Illinois and Janesville, Wisconsin. It develops custom recipes, proteins and shapes with retailers and brands and cooks and packs the treats in house.
Makes
Warren, PA
Maker of injection-molded dental and long-lasting chew treats in Warren, Pennsylvania. It designs and prototypes custom shapes, produces the chews and adds custom packaging, inserts and displays for pet brands.
Makes
Menomonie, WI
Animal supplement developer and manufacturer in Menomonie, Wisconsin making soft chews, tablets, powders, liquids and gels for pets and livestock. It develops custom formulas and packages finished product for brands from startups to large companies.
Makes
Listings are in alphabetical order and no manufacturer pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the manufacturer’s own website on the date shown. Minimums appear only when the manufacturer states one. Confirm details, certificates and pricing with the manufacturer before you sign.
No. AAFCO publishes model rules and nutrient profiles that states adopt, but it does not certify, approve or inspect plants. The FDA and state feed officials regulate pet food. Treat "AAFCO approved" as a red flag.
No. In the US, pet supplements are regulated as animal food or, if they make treatment claims, as animal drugs. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) fills part of the gap: brands can earn its Quality Seal, and manufacturers can be audited as NASC Preferred Suppliers.
Treat and freeze-dried makers often take smaller runs than kibble plants, which usually need full production runs. We only list a minimum when the co-packer states it on its own website.
Pet food recalls are common and fast. You need to know which lots you received, where they are, and which stores or customers got them.
If you are a US contract manufacturer or co-packer, request a free listing. No paid placement.