Pig Ears, Cow Ears or Lamb Ears? Which Ear Chews to Stock for Your Business - ValuePetSupplies

Which ear chews should a pet business stock? Most shops do well with all three: whole pig ears as the bigger, higher-priced chew, crunchy brown cow ears as the middle option, and lamb ears as the low-cost pick for small dogs and treat jars. At today's prices on ValuePetSupplies.com, bulk packs work out to about $0.96 to $2.20 per ear in 100-plus counts, with free shipping to US48 street addresses and no account needed.

Ear chews are one of the easiest natural chews to sell. Customers know what they are, they come in a range of sizes, and the price per piece is low enough for an add-on sale. This guide compares pig, cow and lamb ears for resale, shows what each pack costs per ear, and walks through the margin math so you can decide what to order first.

How are pig, cow and lamb ears different?

All three are single-ingredient chews, but they fill different spots on your shelf:

  • Whole pig ears. Usually the largest and thickest of the three, baked for a chewy texture. They carry the highest price per piece and suit customers with medium and large dogs.
  • Brown cow ears (crunchy style). Thinner and crunchier than pig ears, sold in varied sizes, shapes and colors. Ingredient: beef ears, origin: Turkey. A good middle price point.
  • Lamb ears. Small, light and oven-baked, sold in varied shapes, sizes and colors. Ingredient: lamb ear, origin: Turkey. The lowest cost per piece, which makes them a fit for small dogs, puppies, sample bins and "grab one" jars at the register.

Because ears are natural, size and shape vary from piece to piece. Mention that on your shelf tag so customers know what to expect.

What does each ear cost per piece?

Here are in-stock ValueBull ear packs at today's prices on ValuePetSupplies.com. Cost per ear is the pack price divided by the count, rounded to the cent.

Ear chew Pack Price Cost per ear
Whole pig ears 25 count $77.99 $3.12
Whole pig ears 50 count $123.99 $2.48
Whole pig ears 100 count $219.99 $2.20
Whole pig ears 200 count $408.99 $2.04
Brown cow ears, crunchy 25 count $59.99 $2.40
Brown cow ears, crunchy 50 count $99.99 $2.00
Brown cow ears, crunchy 100 count $169.99 $1.70
Lamb ears 240 count $229.99 $0.96

The pattern is the same as with other chews: the bigger the pack, the lower the cost per ear. Pig ears drop from $3.12 each in a 25 count to $2.04 each in a 200 count. Start with a smaller pack to learn what your customers buy, then move your best seller into a bigger one. You can see every size in our ear chews collection.

What margins can you make on ear chews?

Ears are usually sold as singles from a bin or as small bagged multi-packs. The shelf prices below are example numbers to show the math; set your own prices for your market.

Ear chew Your cost per ear Example shelf price Gross profit per ear Margin
Whole pig ear (100 count) $2.20 $5.99 $3.79 63.3%
Brown cow ear (100 count) $1.70 $4.49 $2.79 62.1%
Lamb ear (240 count) $0.96 $2.49 $1.53 61.4%

Margin is gross profit divided by shelf price. If you bag ears into multi-packs yourself, add the cost of bags and labels to your cost per ear. You can also shop ready-to-sell resale packs of other chews, such as bully sticks, collagen chews and yak cheese, to sit next to your ear bin.

Which ears should you order first?

It depends on who walks through your door:

  • Independent pet stores: stock all three so you have a low, middle and higher price point. A 100 count of pig ears, a 50 count of brown cow ears and the 240 count of lamb ears comes to $549.97 at today's prices.
  • Groomers, daycares and vet front desks: lamb ears are a low-cost add-on at pickup. Pair them with one larger chew, such as brown cow ears.
  • Farmers market and event sellers: pig ears are recognizable from across the booth. Lamb ears work well for a "3 for" bundle.
  • Dog trainers and rescues: lamb ears give you the most pieces per dollar for rewards, adoption bags and fundraisers.

Whatever you sell, tag each ear with the type, the dog size it fits, and a short care note: supervise chew time, offer fresh water, and store chews in a dry place at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a wholesale account to buy ear chews in bulk?

No. Anyone can buy bulk ear packs directly on ValuePetSupplies.com with no account, and shipping is free to US48 street addresses. If you resell in volume, approved resellers get wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs, with a $500 minimum order.

Why do the ears in a pack vary in size?

Ears are a natural, single-ingredient product, so each piece has its own size, shape and color. That is normal. Let customers know on your shelf tag, and sort larger and smaller pieces into separate bins if you price them differently.

Can I sell ear chews under my own brand?

Yes. Our private label program offers custom printed labels or bags, palletized shipments and FBA direct shipping, with exclusive pricing for high-volume buyers. Tell us about your plans on our private label page and our team will follow up.

Ready to stock up?

Our take

Ear chews earn their spot because they cover every budget. Pig ears give you a bigger ticket, brown cow ears sit in the middle, and lamb ears are an easy yes at the register. Start with a modest pack of each, watch what sells for a month, and then buy your best seller in the bigger count to bring your cost per ear down.

— The ValuePetSupplies family, Livingston, TN

Questions?

Call our Tennessee team at 800-825-8373 or email support@valuepetsupplies.com. We've been helping pet businesses stock natural chews since 2004.

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