Industry guide · Pet products & services
How to trademark a pet brand
Treats, collars, toys and grooming each sit in a different USPTO class. Here's how to pick the right ones for what you sell, avoid names that just describe the product, and show proof the USPTO will accept.
By Bill, Business Growth Expert · Verified and checked on October 24, 2026
Short answer
File your pet brand in the class for what you sell: Class 31 for pet food and treats, Class 18 for collars, leashes and pet clothing, Class 28 for toys, or Class 44 for grooming. The USPTO fee is $350 per class. Start with your main product line and add classes as you expand. Avoid names that just describe the product, like “Healthy Paws Treats”.
Which trademark classes cover pet products?
Food & treats
Pet food, treats, chews
Walk & wear
Collars, leashes, harnesses, pet clothing
Play
Pet toys
Home
Pet beds (20), bowls and feeders (21)
Care
Non-medicated shampoos (3), supplements and medicated products (5)
Services
Grooming (44), boarding (43), training (41)
Pet brands often grow from one aisle into several. A treat company might add toys a year later. File in the classes you sell in now, or will within a few years, and add the rest with new applications as the line grows. The multiple-classes guide explains the trade-offs.
Which pet brand names get refused?
Pet branding leans on the same few words: paw, tail, bark, whisker, happy, healthy. Names built only from these tend to be refused as descriptive, or registered with such narrow protection that competitors can use similar names freely.
Hard to register
- “Healthy Paws Treats” (describes the product)
- “Grain-Free Kibble Co.” (describes ingredients)
- “Best Dog Groomers” (praises the service)
Stronger choices
- Invented words (“Brindlewick”)
- Real words unrelated to pets (“Copper Kettle”)
- A distinctive word plus the product (“Brindlewick Dog Treats”)
The example names are illustrations, not searched marks. Read more about the difference between strong and weak trademarks.
What proof of use works for pet products?
For products, show the brand on the item or its packaging: a photo of the treat bag, the tag sewn into a harness, or the toy's hang tag. An online listing also works when it shows the brand next to the product with a price and a way to buy. For grooming, boarding or training services, use your booking page, website or signage showing the name alongside the service. Selling on Amazon or Etsy? See how to deal with marketplace copycats.
How much does it cost to trademark a pet brand?
One class costs $350 in USPTO fees. A brand selling treats (31) and collars (18) pays $700. Not selling yet? An intent-to-use filing adds $150 per class later for the Statement of Use. Secure Mark USA's service fee starts at $99. See what's in each filing package.
Check your pet brand name before you order packaging.
Run a free trademark searchPet brand trademark questions
What trademark class are pet products in?
It depends on the product. Pet food and treats are Class 31, collars, leashes and pet clothing are Class 18, pet toys are Class 28, pet beds are Class 20 and bowls are Class 21.
What class is dog grooming in?
Animal grooming services are in Class 44. Boarding is Class 43 and dog training is Class 41.
Can I trademark a pet brand name with the word paw in it?
Yes, if the whole name is distinctive. Paw on its own is very common in the pet industry, so it gives little protection, and names like Healthy Paws Treats may be refused as descriptive.
Do I need a separate trademark for pet supplements?
Usually yes. Supplements and medicated products for animals are Class 5, which is separate from pet food in Class 31.
Can I file before my pet product launches?
Yes. An intent-to-use application reserves your filing date. You complete it with proof of use once you start selling.
Related guides
Legal disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Secure Mark USA is a trademark filing service, not a law firm. Pet food and supplement labeling is regulated separately, and disputes with other brands require a licensed attorney.
Sources
- USPTO: Fee schedule, checked October 24, 2026
- USPTO: Trademark ID Manual (Classes 18, 28, 31, 41, 43 and 44)
- USPTO: Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (specimens §904; descriptive marks §1209)
Verified and checked on October 24, 2026.