How to Choose a Wholesale Dog Treat Supplier in the UK

Choosing a wholesale dog treat supplier is about more than finding a good price. If you are a pet shop, veterinary practice, groomer, trainer, kennel, rescue or another dog-focused business, the supplier you choose needs to provide products your customers will want, clear product information and a reliable way to reorder.

For a new trade customer, there are several practical questions worth asking before opening an account.

1. Look at the products, not just the price

A low wholesale price does not necessarily make a product a good choice for your business.

Think about what your customers actually want to buy. Natural dog treats can cover everything from everyday rewards and training treats to longer-lasting chews, fish treats and single-ingredient products.

It is also worth considering whether the products fit naturally alongside what you already sell or provide.

Britten and James have built our trade offering around much-loved products that we already know from our retail business. Our 80/20 Poultry and 80/20 Fish treats are two of our best-selling retail products, with veterinary practices already buying them for use in their businesses.

That existing demand is important to us when deciding which products to make available to trade customers.  

2. Ask what is actually in the treats

Customers increasingly want to know what they are buying for their dogs, and to be sure that they meet their dogs' dietary requirements.

A good supplier should make it straightforward for a retailer or professional to answer questions about ingredients and product composition.

With Britten and James products, ingredients and analytical constituents are provided on the product labels. This means that when a customer asks what is in a particular treat, you have the product information available rather than having to rely on vague descriptions.

For a business selling treats to dog owners, that transparency matters.

3. Consider whether the supplier can keep supplying the products

A product that sells well is only useful if you can get it again!

This is one reason we have concentrated on products that we are confident we can reliably provide throughout the year. We would rather build the trade range around products we can supply consistently than offer an enormous catalogue that is difficult to maintain.

For a retailer, reliable availability can make stock planning and repeat ordering considerably easier.

4. Check the minimum order

Minimum order values can make a significant difference to smaller businesses.

Before opening a trade account, check:

• the minimum order value
• whether VAT is included or excluded
• delivery charges
• delivery areas
• how orders are placed
• whether online ordering is available
• how quickly trade applications are processed.

Britten and James currently operates a £250 + VAT minimum trade order, with the delivery arrangements set out on our trade account page.

This is worth checking before you apply so you know what to expect.

5. Find out how trade ordering works

A straightforward ordering system can save time, particularly once you start reordering regularly.

The Britten and James trade service is designed so that approved trade customers can log in to access the trade ordering system and the products and prices available to them.  Ordering is quick and simple and - should you ever need help - our customer service team is friendly, knowledgeable and happy to assist.

The public trade page is there to explain how the account works and who it is intended for. Once approved, customers have access to the trade side of the website.

6. Don't assume the range can never change

A trade range does not have to remain fixed forever.

As we develop our trade business, we expect the range to evolve according to customer demand and what we can reliably supply.

If there is something specific you would like us to consider, let us know. We cannot promise that every request will be possible, but we will always do what we can to help.

We are also open to enquiries from businesses interested in branded products for resale. If this is something you are looking for, get in touch and we can look into what may be possible.

7. Think about the relationship, not just the first order

The best wholesale relationship is one that works beyond the first purchase.

You want a supplier whose products suit your customers, whose information you can trust and whose ordering process makes repeat purchases straightforward.

For us, the trade side of Britten and James is being built around exactly that principle: start with products we know, supply them reliably, listen to trade customers and develop the range from there.

Choosing a natural dog treat wholesaler

If you are comparing wholesale dog treat suppliers in the UK, make a shortlist based on:

• product quality and suitability
• clear ingredient information
• reliable availability
• minimum order requirements
• delivery arrangements
• ease of ordering
• customer service
• potential for the range to grow with your business.

Price matters, but it is only one part of the decision.

Interested in a Britten and James trade account?

Britten and James supplies natural dog treats to approved UK trade customers, including retailers, veterinary practices, groomers, trainers, kennels, rescues and other suitable businesses.

Our trade range is built around products we are confident in supplying reliably, with new opportunities considered as the trade service develops.

Apply for a Britten and James trade account to find out more.