Special Report: Made in the USA Dog Chews and Treats
Pet parents want transparency and high-quality standards; as a result, the phrase Made in the USA carries more weight than ever. The focus on Made in the USA, natural ingredients, and wellness has spurred growth in the US pet treats and chews category. The US pet treats market is valued at $11.25 billion in 2026 and is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.10 percent.
Founded in Omaha, NE, Butcher’s Block Pet Treats makes 100 percent natural, single-ingredient USDA beef dog treats and bones. The company says all of its products are sourced within a 500-mile radius of its Nebraska plant. Tom Heavey, President of Butcher’s Block, detailed what Made in the USA meant for the company.
“Made in the USA has multiple layers of meaning for our business, which include but are not limited to the quality, supply chain transparency, and our community locally and nationally. When the raw materials of our products are raised, harvested, and processed here [in] the USA, we create a strong understanding of where our products come from, so we know exactly what we are giving our pets. This also increases quality, as our raw materials are delivered fresh directly to our warehouse and are not frozen or shipped in containers from a wide range of countries with different quality standards,” explained Heavey.
He continued, “Locally, we impact our immediate community with the waste we keep from landfill. But broadly speaking, we also are shipping our products nationwide and are in retailers from California to Florida. We want to bring that quality, consistency, and transparency to dog owners across the country so they can all give their pets what we give to our own.”
Butcher’s Block Pet Treats emphasized that Made in the USA matters not only to customers but also to retailers and buyers.
“Grocery store buyers and category managers who determine what products are on the shelves are looking for brands and products that can generate a consistency of performance and price that creates value that their shoppers are expecting and relying on. When products are sourced from overseas, you are seeing tariff and inflationary measures bouncing around constantly, which makes it very hard for retailers to maintain prices for their customers. Manufacturers in the USA who also source their products in the US still deal with certain cost measures that are impacted by inflation as well, but we are shielded from other issues companies have that are relying on other countries to deliver their raw materials,” remarked Heavey.
Laura Jones is the President and co-owner of Jones Natural, whose products are 100 percent grown, raised, sourced, and manufactured in Rockford, IL. She previously spoke to what makes pet owners choose their products.
“Pet owners appreciate our butchering background because they trust our knowledge of quality meat and production standards that lead to a safe product. We do love seeing customers discover the different parts that we offer. Pet parents overcome the ‘ick’ factor of some of our parts very quickly when they see a happy pup,” said Jones.
She added, “Our newest product, Barknola, has been very well received. It is innovative, as it is a granola bar in function, but it features meat as the first ingredient. Protein-forward means that it is perfect for refueling, plus the rolled oats and fruits or veggies round out a simple and clean ingredient panel that pet parents appreciate.”
As to where the pet treats and chews category is headed, Jones revealed, “The industry continually refines itself, weeding out unhealthy cooking methods and materials. I think we will continue to see a focus on natural products that are minimally processed.”
Scott Pet manufactures and distributes several lines of USA-made pet treats, chews, and bones through its brands in Indiana, with facilities located in Rockville and Newport. Products include How’s Kitchen, Grillerz, and rawhide-free alternative NutriChomps.
Reid Mansell, Director of Marketing at Scott Pet, previously discussed how the company’s quality drives its success.
“Our focus on quality is what truly sets us apart. We operate with a lean, highly engaged team, which allows us to stay close to our products and our customers. We’re pet parents ourselves, so every decision is grounded in what we would feel good giving our own dogs. That mindset translates into high-quality, long-lasting chews that deliver on both performance and trust. It also allows us to move quickly and thoughtfully, balancing innovation with consistency in a way that benefits both retailers and consumers,” said Mansell.
As for where Scott Pet sees the category headed, Mansell had this to share: “The category is poised for continued growth as pet parents become more ingredient-conscious and focused on both safety and functionality. Over the next five to 10 years, we expect to see increased demand for chews that combine simple, recognizable ingredients with clear performance benefits, especially longer-lasting engagement.”
Mansell added, “There will also be greater emphasis on transparency, sourcing, and digestibility, along with more innovation in formats and textures to meet different dogs’ needs. At Scott Pet, we see ourselves playing a key role in shaping that future—continuing to lead with high-quality, pork skin-based alternatives while pushing the category forward through thoughtful innovation and strong retailer partnerships.”
