Pet treat pouch buying guide: materials, pouch types and compliance essentials

Pet treat packaging pouchessaw explosive growth in 2025. According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, China’s pet treat market reached CNY 58 billion in 2025, up 18.5% year-on-year, while demand for pet treat pouches grew 22% in tandem.

But when serving pet food customers, we found that many pet treat brands’ understanding of packaging still stops at”a bag for holding things”level, unaware that pet food packaging has special compliance requirements and functional needs.

Special requirements for pet treat packaging pouches

Food safety is the first red line

Pet treat packaging pouchesAs they come into direct contact with food, they must meet food-contact material safety standards.

| Standard | Scope | Core requirements |
|——|———-|———-|
| GB 4806.1-2016 | Pet food for the Chinese market | Sensory indicators, physical/chemical indicators, additive use |
| FDA 21 CFR | Pet food exported to the US | Food contact substance list |
| EU 10/2011 | Pet food exported to the EU | Overall migration limits |

> Key tips: pet food pouches must carryfood contact labeling and provide third-party test reports. Pet food companies cannot use pouches without clear labeling.

Barrier performance requirements for pet treat packaging pouches

Pet treats (especially meat-based treats) are sensitive to oxygen, moisture and light, and require high-barrier packaging.

| Snack type | Oxygen transmission requirement | Recommended material structure |
|———-|—————-|————–|
| Dried meat treats | <5 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PE | | Freeze-dried treats | <1 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PA/PE | | Biscuit-type treats | <10 cm³/m²·24h | PET/PE, BOPP/CPP | | Wet food (with moisture) | <2 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PA/PE |

Material selection: a full comparison of PET/PE, aluminum foil and mono-materials

Mainstream material structures for pet treat packaging pouches

1. PET/PE structure

Advantages: high transparency, moderate cost, good print results

Disadvantages: average barrier

Best for: biscuits, low-oil treats

Cost index:⭐⭐

2. PET/AL/PE structure (with aluminum foil)

Advantages: excellent barrier, long shelf life

Disadvantages: opaque, non-recyclable, high cost

Best for: meat treats, freeze-dried treats

Cost index:⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. PET/PA/PE structure (with nylon)

Advantages: puncture-resistant, good barrier, transparent

Disadvantages: higher cost

Best for: bone-in treats, sharp-shaped treats

Cost index:⭐⭐⭐

4. Mono-material PE structure

Advantages: recyclable, eco-friendly, complies with EU PPWR regulation

Disadvantages: average barrier, needs coating

Best for: pet food exported to the EU

Cost index:⭐⭐⭐

If your pet treat brand also needsrigid packaging solutions (such as plastic boxes, blister trays, etc.), you can also check out our sister brand’s plastic packaging customization platform for integrated solutions from flexible to rigid packaging.

Pouch type selection: how to choose between stand-up pouches, 8-side seal pouches and shaped pouches?

Pouch type decision framework for pet treat packaging

| Pouch type | Suitable products | Shelf effect | Cost | Recommended scenario |
|——|———-|———-|——|———-|
| stand-up zipper pouch| 50g-500g treats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Mainstream choice |
| 8-side seal pouch| 500g-2kg treats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Premium positioning |
| three-side seal pouch| 10g-50g small packs | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | Trial packs, gifts |
| shaped pouch| Children’s pet treats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Differentiated competition |

Stand-up zipper pouches: the first choice for pet treat packaging

Stand-up zipper pouches arePet treat packaging pouches the most mainstream pouch type, for three reasons:

1. Standing display: stands on the shelf, attracts consumer attention
2. Repeat opening: zipper design, resealable after opening, keeps fresh
3. Flexible capacity: available from 50g to 1000g

> Practical experience: individual pet treat packs (10g-30g) use three-side seal pouches, family packs (200g-500g) use stand-up zipper pouches, and gift boxes (1kg+) use 8-side seal pouches.

Printing processes: choosing between lamination printing and digital printing

Printing requirements for pet treat pouches

1. Lamination printing (gravure printing)

Advantages: saturated colors, consistent batch quality, low cost (large batches)

Disadvantages: high plate-making fees, high minimum orders, long lead times

Best for: stable large-volume orders (>10,000 pcs)

2. Digital printing

Advantages: no plate-making fees, small batches viable, fast delivery (3-7 days)

Disadvantages: higher unit price, slightly less color consistency

Best for: new product testing, small batches, personalization

Selection of printing inks:

water-based inks: eco-friendly, low VOC, recommended

UV inks: vivid colors, abrasion-resistant, but high VOC emissions

benzene-free and ketone-free inks: mandatory requirement for food packaging

Compliance essentials: special requirements for pet food packaging

Labeling requirements for pet treat packaging pouches

| Label element | Requirement | Basis |
|———-|——|——|
| Ingredient list | Mandatory | GB 7708-2011 |
| Net content | Mandatory | Metrology Law |
| Production date/shelf life | Mandatory | Food Safety Law |
| Storage conditions | Recommended | Industry practice |
| Food production license number | Mandatory | SC certification requirements |
| Pet food labeling | Mandatory | GB/T 31217-2014 |

Packaging compliance for exported pet food

| Target market | Compliance requirements | Packaging impact |
|———-|———-|———-|
| US | FDA registration, ASTM standards | FDA compliance statement required |
| EU | FEDIAF standards, PPWR regulation | Prefer recyclable materials |
| Japan | Pet Food Safety and Hygiene Law | Local Japanese test reports required |

Cost control: 5 ways to reduce pet treat packaging costs

How to control packaging costs without compromising quality?

1. Lightweight design: thinner pouch walls cut material costs by 10%-20%
2. Standard sizes: use supplier standard tooling to waive mold fees
3. Bulk purchasing: annual usage >50 tons, lock in prices
4. Mono-materials: meets EPR requirements, reducing fees by 30%-50%
5. Localized supply chain: reducing shipping costs and lead times

Questions about or need a custom packaging solution? Welcome toContact OMOPACK. We offer one-stop service from material selection and structural design to printing sampling and mass production, and our professional team provides free customization advice.