Special Report: Made in the USA Pet Products

Companies that source and manufacture domestically say it was effortless to decide to do so. Whether it was to keep closer tabs on safety regulations or to financially support local businesses, manufacturers chose to keep production and dollars close to home and haven’t looked back. When manufacturers sought out safe and dependable ingredients for their recipes and materials, they were able to find solutions domestically. They had everything they needed to turn out a product they took pride in. 

“We have found that sourcing the majority of our product from the USA, especially mainly from our backyard, has been a huge plus,” Tom Heavey, Sales and Marketing Manager for Butcher’s Block Pet Treats recently said. “It has allowed us to maintain very good price positions for a lot of our raw materials. As we continue to grow, we will always focus on ways to remain price competitive, but we will hold our quality and standards above all else. Quality dog treats at affordable prices are what every dog owner is looking for, and that is what we are hoping to provide.”

Jones Natural Chews manufactures its bones, chews and treats in Rockford, IL, at four separate facilities that are within a 3-mile radius of one another. At these facilities, all materials and ingredients are packaged in the US. “We began this company in our family-owned butcher shop, so our familiarity was with locally produced meat,” said President Laura Jones Wells. “As our dog chew business grew, we needed to expand our sources, but we never felt a need to look further than farms and ranches in the USA. It was a commitment we made to supporting quality standards and jobs. We define ‘Made in the USA’ as produced in the USA, but take that a step further and source our ingredients from the USA and only purchase meat that was raised on USA soil. Many companies add ‘Made in the USA,’ but they are really just packaging in the USA.”

Royal Pet’s headquarters and treat factory are located in Hastings, MN, where every consumable product is made with close attention to quality, safety, and consistency, VP of Marketing Mike Picka explained, and the vast majority of Royal Pet’s raw ingredients are sourced domestically within the US, with a small number carefully imported from trusted suppliers when they are simply not available or grown locally. “To us, ‘Made in the USA’ isn’t just a label—it’s a promise of quality, transparency, and peace of mind, so pet owners can trust what they’re giving to the pets they love,” Picka said. “When pets began falling ill from dangerous, unregulated treats imported from overseas in the 2010s, we set an ambitious goal: to build our own treat factory and produce safe, USA-made treats and dental chews right here in Minnesota.”

West Paw called out the benefits of sourcing and manufacturing domestically. “Thinking back a few years to the global supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic and now with all the uncertainty around tariffs, this is a great time to be a made in the USA company,” CEO and Owner Spencer Williams recently said. “Because we source domestically and manufacture our dog toys in Bozeman, MT, we don’t have to worry so much about supply chain delays, and we don’t have to increase our prices. Our goal is to build stable, long-term relationships with retailers that position us both for growth.”

Phelps Pet Products had a similar experience when retailers flocked to the company when those retailers needed to restock their shelves but couldn’t. 

“Phelps Pet Products has its foundation in USA operations since its founding in 1966, and that commitment to premium quality ‘Made in the USA’ pet products has never wavered in its nearly 60-year history,” President Rick Ruffolo, recently said. “Our customers always have valued the food safety and quality requirements associated with the high standards of US food production. ‘Made in the USA’ also means shorter lead-times/response times, lower working capital needs/less inventory, and protection against the potential for business interruption due to extended international supply chains.”

Proximity is a clear advantage of manufacturing domestically. 

“Product and necessary ingredients are closer,” Jones Wells said. “Our ingredients do not have to travel across oceans and clear ports to make it to our facilities. Time is saved, but we also easily maintain our relationships with vendors, as they are close. It is also a great way for us to manage the environmental impacts of our business operations.”

When companies have tighter control over the process, safety increases. 

“Sourcing and manufacturing in the US gives us greater visibility and control across our supply chain, reducing lead times and minimizing disruptions,” Picka with Royal Pet said. “Close partnerships with our domestic suppliers and in-house production allow for tighter oversight, faster response, and more consistent ingredient quality. This hands-on approach results in safer, more reliable products that pet owners can trust.”

Most of the pet parents who exclusively seek out USA products are discerning about quality; many also appreciate the environmental impacts, Jones Wells pointed out. “The quality standards are important; you don’t want your meat traveling across the globe before you eat it, so we extend that thought process to our pets,” she said. “In addition to the quality standards, purchasing products that are made in the USA means that those dollars stay in the USA.”

Picka would agree, noting “pet parents who seek out Made in the USA products are highly engaged and safety-focused, valuing transparency and trust in what they give their pets.” 

He added: “They tend to read labels, ask questions, and prioritize quality over trends. We keep these products accessible by controlling costs through domestic sourcing, in-house manufacturing, and efficient production—without compromising on safety or quality. We’d like pet parents to understand that ‘Made in the USA’ is about far more than geography—it’s about accountability. US-made pet consumables are held to stricter regulatory, quality, and safety standards, with greater transparency into where ingredients come from and how products are made—so pet parents can feel confident in what they’re giving their pets.”