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 in serving pet food customers, we found that many pet treat brands’ understanding of packaging still stops at “a bag for holding things”, 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, physical/chemical and additive-use requirements |
| 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.
| Treat type | Oxygen transmission rate 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, 10%-20% material cost reduction
2.Standard sizes: use supplier standard molds, no mold fees
3.Bulk purchasing: annual usage >50 tons, lock in prices
4.Mono-materials: complies with EPR regulations, 30%-50% fee reduction
5.Localized supply chain: reducing shipping costs and lead times
Summary: selection framework for pet treat packaging pouches
Looking back atPet treat packaging pouches as a whole, selection can be summarized as:
1. Determine product characteristics-> meat/biscuits/freeze-dried, oil content, moisture content
2.Determine materials-> PET/PE, PET/AL/PE, PET/PA/PE, based on barrier needs
3.Determine pouch type-> stand-up zipper pouch (mainstream), eight-side seal pouch (premium)
4.Determine printing-> gravure (large batches), digital (small batches)
5.Determine compliance → food-contact material standards, labeling requirements, export compliance
> Pet treat packaging pouchesIt is not “the more expensive the better”, but “the safer and more suitable the better”.
For specific pet treat packaging solutions, please refer to our [Food Flexible Packaging Customization Pitfall-Avoidance Guide](#).
Need professional pet treat packaging solutions? Contact the OMOPACK expert team for packaging recommendations and quotations tailored to your product characteristics and market positioning.
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*References: “2025 China Pet Industry White Paper”, GB 4806.1-2016 “Food Contact Materials Safety Standards”, FEDIAF “Pet Food Packaging Guidelines 2025″*
