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Illinois · Direct-to-Consumer ComplianceIDOA LICENSE + REGISTRATION

Pet Food & Treats

Dog & cat food, treats and chews — no cottage exemption

$30Annual license
$90Per product (≤ 10 lb containers)
Dec 31Licenses & registrations expire
Lab analysisGuaranteed analysis required

1What’s covered & what needs more

Covered under this path

  • Homemade pet food and treats made in your own home — allowed, but only with an IDOA license, product registration, labeling and current GMPs
  • Packaged products ≤ 10 lb ($90 per product) and bulk sales (30¢/ton fee, $25 minimum semiannually)
  • Free giveaways still count as distribution

Needs a different path

  • Human cottage-food registration → does not cover pet food
  • Selling without an Illinois Commercial Feed license and product registration
  • Labels missing species, guaranteed analysis, AAFCO ingredient names, or name/address
  • Raw pet food → also follow FDA guidance

2Three steps to compliant sales

A

License your company

Apply for the Commercial Feed distribution/manufacturer license from IDOA’s Bureau of Agricultural Products Inspection ($30). Licenses expire Dec 31.

B

Register every product

Register each product before distribution: $90 per product for packages of 10 lb or less; bulk sales pay 30¢/ton (min $25 semiannually). Get a commercial lab analysis for crude protein, fat, fiber and moisture.

C

Label to the rules

Front panel: brand/product name, species (‘Dog’/‘Cat’), ‘snack’ or ‘treat’ if applicable, net weight in the bottom third. Also: guaranteed analysis, ingredient statement using AAFCO names, company name and address. Follow current GMPs.

3Quick-reference table

ItemRuleRegulator
LicenseIllinois Commercial Feed Act — $30/yr per company.IDOA Ag Products Inspection
Product registration$90 per product (≤ 10 lb); bulk: 30¢/ton (min $25 semiannually); expires Dec 31.IDOA
LabelingProduct name, species, ‘treat/snack’, net weight (bottom third of front panel), guaranteed analysis, AAFCO ingredients, name/address.IDOA · AAFCO
Giveaways‘Give away’ counts as distribution — same license/registration rules.IDOA
Contact(217) 782-3817 · pet food FDA complaint line (312) 353-7840IDOA · FDA

4Frequently asked

Can I sell dog treats under the cottage food law?

No. Cottage food covers human food. Pet food falls under the Commercial Feed Act.

Do I need lab testing?

Yes — a commercial lab analysis of protein, fat, fiber and moisture supports your guaranteed analysis.

Can I give treats away at events?

Giving away still counts as distribution — you need the license, registration and label.

Do I owe the $90 fee for every flavor?

Registration is per product; the fee schedule depends on package size and whether you sell in bulk.

Printable checklist

  • Commercial Feed license ($30) applied for
  • Each product registered ($90 ≤ 10 lb) before selling
  • Lab analysis: protein, fat, fiber, moisture
  • Label: species, treat/snack, net wt, GA, ingredients, name/address
  • Current GMPs documented
  • Renew licenses & registrations by Dec 31
  • Register with IDOR; general-rate tax
  • Product-liability insurance
Sales tax: General merchandise: 6.25% state rate plus local taxes. Register with IDOR through MyTax Illinois and look up the combined rate for each delivery address. Pet food is not ‘food for human consumption’, so the grocery rate doesn’t apply.