Private-label pet wipes: substrates, lotions & MOQ

1. The substrate (the wipe itself)

Most pet grooming wipes use spunlace nonwoven — a soft, strong, low-lint fabric. The two variables that matter:

• Fiber: standard viscose/PET spunlace is the workhorse. A plant-based / bamboo spunlace unlocks "biodegradable / compostable" positioning, which is one of the fastest-growing claims in the category.
• Weight (gsm): roughly 40–60 gsm. Lighter is cheaper and thinner; heavier feels premium and "thick / XL." Match the gsm to your price tier.

2. The lotion (what it's soaked in)

The lotion is where "gentle" is won. For pet grooming keep it hypoallergenic and non-medicated: mild cleansers plus soothing actives like oatmeal, aloe, coconut or witch hazel, fragrance-free or a light custom scent. Two spec points: the lotion add-on (how much liquid per gram of substrate — a "wetter" wipe feels more premium) and whether it's alcohol-free (gentler, and avoids flammable-goods shipping issues).

3. Counts & pack format

Common counts are 30, 50, 100 and 400. Formats: resealable soft pack (most common), tub / canister (premium, refillable), and finger-mitt for ear and dental wipes. The pack drives shelf appeal as much as the wipe.

4. The wipe family

One substrate platform supports a whole own-brand family: body/grooming, paw, ear (finger-mitt), dental (finger-mitt), eye-area/tear-stain, and cat. Launching two or three of these together makes a stronger private-label range than a single SKU.

5. MOQ, cost & compliance

Realistic wipe MOQ is around 10,000 packs per SKU, with trial-friendly first runs. A premium 100-ct hypoallergenic wipe typically lands well under its shelf price, leaving healthy private-label margin. Insist on the compliance pack — SDS, INCI, microbiological, preservative-challenge and stability tests, per-batch COA — plus GMP documentation to the ISO 22716 standard. Keep the copy non-medicated: "cleans and deodorizes," never "kills bacteria."

Related: How to choose a private-label pet grooming manufacturer.