Welcome to our exclusive interview with Barkery Bites, a leading innovator in the pet treat industry.
Known for their commitment to quality and passion for pets, Barkery Bites has been delighting furry friends with delicious and nutritious treats. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with the fabulous owners, Surika & Alex, who will share insights into the company’s journey, their dedication to pet health, and what makes their treats stand out in a crowded market.
Join us as we explore the world of Barkery Bites and discover the secrets behind their success!
Can you tell us a bit about the history of the company?
Barkery Bites has been around for 20 years. It was started by a lovely couple who owned it for about 18 years and then immigrated. It was then bought by another couple who owned it for a little bit less than 2 years. Then we came in the picture, we are the third owners.
Barkery Bites has always focused on handmade natural human grade treats. We believe that our fur children deserve the best quality. (with a focus on fresh and local ingredients as well as Nampo award winning honey that we use in every flavour)
How has your company developed and evolved since you started?
When we took over Barkery Bites we focused on stabalising the finances and rebuilding it to its former glory, every step we’ve taken has been guided by love and dedication to our craft.
Here are some of the exciting changes and improvements we’ve made in the past year with our team of only 3!:
- Upgraded Recipes: We’ve refined our recipes, sourcing fresher and higher-quality local ingredients to ensure our treats are even tastier and more nutritious.
- Enhanced Goodness: Increased the amounts of veggies, meats, and our award-winning pure honey in every batch to pack in more natural flavor and benefits.
- Added Crushed Eggshells: All eggs used in the recipes are crushed to a fine powder and added back into the recipe. A natural and rich source of calcium, now included to support healthy bones and teeth.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Switched to vibrant, paper labels that are recyclable along with our packaging. Not only are they more sustainable, but they’re also more informative and eye-catching.
- Batch Number System: Introduced a batch tracking system for quality assurance and transparency.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come and are excited to keep growing, improving, and creating all-natural, health-focused treats that dogs and their humans love!
What are the key ingredients that you use in your treats, and why?
At Barkery Bites, we’re passionate about using the highest quality ingredients, all locally sourced from in and around Cape Town. We believe that our furry friends deserve nothing but the best, which is why when shopping, we carefully select each ingredient for its nutritional value and flavor. Here are some of the key ingredients we use and why we love them:
- Rice Flour: A staple in our Wheat-Free treats, rice flour is gentle on sensitive tummies and ideal for dogs with allergies as well as fragile teeth.
- Nutty Wheat Flour: Found in our Whole Wheat treats, it’s a high-quality human-grade flour providing energy and helping with teeth cleaning and supporting strong jaws.
- Award-Winning Honey: We use a 3-time Nampo award-winning honey in all our treats for its natural sweetness and health benefits.
- Fresh Veggies: Only the freshest vegetables from local farmers make it into our recipes, ensuring optimal flavor and nutrients.
- Free-Range Meat: Our meat is sourced from a family farm on the border of the Eastern Cape, offering premium quality protein that dogs love.
We’re proud to support local farmers and suppliers while creating treats that are both delicious and nutritious for our four-legged friends!
What measures do you take to ensure the quality and safety of your dog treats?
Quality and safety are top priorities. Since all our treats are made with human-grade ingredients, we go above and beyond to ensure they meet the highest standards. Here’s how we maintain quality and safety in our bakery:
- Strict Hygiene Practices: Hairnets and gloves are mandatory for all staff (Surika, Alex, and part-time employees) in the bakery to maintain a clean and safe production environment.
- Daily Deep Cleaning: Our bakery undergoes a thorough deep clean at the end of every day to uphold hygiene standards.
- Moisture Testing: We use a specialized moisture tester machine to measure the humidity of our treats. This ensures they are perfectly dry before being sent out, reducing the risk of moisture migration in hot environments and stores.
By combining careful attention to detail with the best practices in food production, we can confidently deliver treats that are safe, fresh, and delicious for every furry friend!
What feedback have you received from pet owners regarding the health benefits of your treats?
We’re incredibly grateful for the feedback we’ve received from our loyal pet parents over the short time we have owned Barkery Bites, many of whom have supported the business since the very beginning. We couldn’t have been where we are without them! One of the most common things we hear is how beneficial our wheat-free treats have been for problematic pups, whether it be sensitive tummies, allergies, or pups that struggle to chew due to lack of teeth.
Pet parents who are mindful of what goes into their furry friends’ diets especially appreciate that our treats are made with wholesome, locally sourced, and natural ingredients. Many have told us it’s one of the few treat options they can rely on that doesn’t cause allergic reactions, upset stomachs, or other health issues.
It should be noted that it’s not just pups with health complications that enjoy our treats; all dogs love them!
How do you handle waste and packaging to minimize environmental impact?
We are deeply committed to minimizing our environmental footprint and ensuring that our operations align with eco-friendly practices.
Our packaging is recyclable, and we’ve recently switched to paper labels, which are biodegradable and recyclable as well, a change from the old vinyl stickers. This change reflects our mission to go green while still delivering our treats in beautiful and informative packaging.
As for waste, we’re proud to say we generate very little. Any vegetable scraps that aren’t fit for human or pup consumption are used for composting in our local dog park near our apartment, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. When it comes to treat breakages, which happen rarely, we make sure they don’t go unused. Instead, we donate them to dog rescues, spreading love (and treats!) to dogs in need.
What trends do you see in the dog treat market?
The dog treat market is undoubtedly shifting toward more mindful and health-focused products. We’ve noticed a strong trend toward handmade, locally sourced treats that emphasize quality and transparency.
Pet parents today are looking for products that not only taste great but also cater to their dogs’ specific dietary needs and treats that won’t harm their pups in the long run, which also results in unwanted vet bills.
Additionally, we have observed a huge desire for pet parents to move their pups to a raw food diet, which is most certainly better than most, if not all, kibble foods in our opinion.
However, it does present its own set of dangers with contamination and the types of meats used, so one must be very careful when switching to a raw diet and ensure your raw food supplier is trustworthy and reputable.
One of the biggest trends we see is a growing demand for treats that address allergies and sensitivities. Many dogs struggle with these issues, and pet owners are increasingly prioritizing options like wheat-free or single-protein treats to avoid common allergens, as well as less common meat protein sources such as ostrich and game meat, to which dogs generally have fewer allergic reactions.
In general, this shift aligns perfectly with what we do at Barkery Bites, and it’s exciting to see the industry moving in such a positive, health-conscious direction!
What has been the most rewarding feedback or story you've received from customers?
We hear a lot of feedback regarding our Wheat-Free treats and how they have helped doggos with their allergies. We have a very loyal customer with a doggy that is extremely old and can’t eat any hard food, but the only treat she can and will eat is our Wheat-Free Beetroot treats. Comments like this make us very happy!
What are your future goals for the company?
We’re always looking to improve and grow! Right now, we’re focused on perfecting our recipes and exploring natural preservatives to keep our treats fresh, tasty, and smelling great for longer—without adding anything unhealthy or something that doesn’t vibe lekker with the dog’s body and organs.
We are also hoping to expand our bakery, since right now we are a strong team of three!
Are there any upcoming products or projects you can share with us?
We’re excited to share that we have some exciting developments in the pipeline! This includes a high-value training treat and a rework of our cat treats, ensuring our feline friends get to enjoy healthy, delicious snacks too.
Every decision we make and every change we implement is driven by our mission to create healthier, tastier treats that pets and their owners can feel good about. And of course, our Dog Son Arthur, who is the main chief tasting officer, ensures he gets to live a long, healthy life with treats that only add value to his health in the long run.
Anything else you would like to share with us about the company and or products?
We are currently overhauling our recipes and hope to consult a food scientist in the near future before implementing the new ingredients.
We are aware there are a lot of treat options on the market for customers, whether health-focused or not, and so we hope everyone will give Barkery Bites biscuits a try at some point and support our small business!