Natural Dog Treats

Here's the low down.  After brewing I always have left over grain used for brewing.  In the past I've either, thrown the grain away or made bread from it.  Yummy bread.  Then one day I made dog biscuits.  They are made from grains, peanut butter, flour and an egg.  Baked for 30 minutes.  I gave these to friend's with dogs and they were a big hit.  Now everytime I brew I make biscuits and hand them out.  It's gotten to the point where people are now asking for them when or if I brew again, will I make them.  So...a friend of mine and I are thinking, why not partner with local brewery to get their spent grains and making some home made, all natural treats and selling them at the farmer's market.  Everyone I've talked to seems to think it could work.  We've researched all the FDA stuff, labeling stuff, etc.  It's actually very easy and low overhead to do. 

My question to you fellow dog owners is...would you buy these? What criteria would you need to buy? What would you need to know?  We're thinking of marketing along the natural treat line, maybe gourmet.  Packaging would be simple, maybe sold in bulk by weight.   

Thoughts? Feedback?

Comments

[Kate]

While I personally don't own a dog at this moment, I think people are always looking for a healthy snack that their dogs enjoy. I know, for example, my sister ALWAYS went to the dog bakery (yes, there used to be one) in New Orleans pre-Katrina to pick out a yummy treat for her dog. I think if you price them right and the dogs like them, you are in business. I'd suggest trolling some dog parks with samples (once you have Barley, of course, or it's just creepy).

[Jennie Diaz]

That's a really great idea, I have a dog back home and I would buy treats like this for her. Special dog food is such a hit right now because of that business a while back when dogs were dying from contaminated food. My family no longer purchases any sort of mainstream dog food. They make Sammie's food now, but something like this would be great. In fact I saw a show on tv a while back about this couple who owned a rabbit farm, where they made specialty cat/dog food, and their business was BOOMING.