I'm just getting started with my home-based bakery concentrating primarily on cookies (part-time basis right now while I maintain my day job). Before anyone mentions it - yes, I'm legal in my state.

I've been making pet treats and cakes for my own dogs for quite some time, and have a friend who owns a dog grooming shop. I've now started to sell in her shop as well, so I thought I'd add that to my repertoire and it's in my marketing.

No problems until I had a potential customer frown upon me making dog treats in the same kitchen I make human food. My dog treats are all natural, with ingredients for human consumption (fruit, cheese, baby food etc.) I don't use any low grade meats or anything like that, and I never bake the dog treats/cakes in the same session as I make human cookies/cakes.

I explained this to her, and she was still very upset. Thought it was unsanitary (like I had dogs running around my kitchen? Which I do not).

I make quite a bit of money with the "pet bakery" portion of my business. Should I be worried about people like her or do you think they are the exception, not the rule? I'm just trying to figure out if I want to carve that back out of my business.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say she's not an animal lover? Anyone that has made dog treats, or even read the recipe knows they are safe for humans to eat. Some of the stuff I've made for my dogs smelled so darn good!! Sometimes better than stuff I make for myself to eat! LOL

If this is become a good part of your business, I'd say keep it!! People are crazy about their pets, and if you're making money off it, go for it! I think this will be a rareity in the whole scheme of things. Maybe she just did think you let your animals run around while you are making stuff. Who knows? Everyone's got their own opinions - don't let this one person that's unwilling to think outside the box ruin a good thing for you!

Love your avatar picture by the way - what a sweetie!!

I agree with keriskreations, Make your money. I have seen lots of places that sell both in the same place and that never entered my mine. She isn't in your kitchen, she could assum a lot of things, that is how some people are.

It the same thing a people who won't fill their drinking water cup from the bathroom sink. The water has to come from the kitchen sink.

Its the same pipes. It's the same water.

Your legal and if your state doesn't care , too bad.
The pet store by me sells the best looking cookies!
I'd like to try to make some and I have a recipe for the cookie part, but I'm not sure what I could use for the "icing". Would you share your recipe with me?

I use two different things for icing - i used melted carob for dipping dog biscuits, lettering, etc.

For cakes, I use 1 pkg Neufchatel (SP?) cheese, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey and 2-3 tablespoons flour (for thickness).

Thanks for sharing!
Lisa

Don't let one bad apple spoil the bunch.

I would love to do dog treats as well, except I would have to pay a semi-yearly fee to the department of agriculture (you pay by the pound of food/treats; minimum $60 per half year). It's easier to bake for humans than dogs in my state! LOL!