Special requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
Because they come into direct contact with food, pet treat packaging pouches must satisfy the same food contact material safety standards as human food packaging. In 2025 China’s pet treat market reached CNY 58 billion, up 18.5% year on year, and demand for pet treat pouches grew 22% alongside it.
| 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 note: pet food pouches must carry the food contact mark and provide third-party test reports. Refer to theState Administration for Market Regulation food-contact material standards for the latest requirements.
Barrier performance requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
Pet treats, meat-based ones in particular, are highly sensitive to oxygen, moisture and light, which means they call for high-barrier packaging.
| Snack 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 (moisture-containing) | <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 — high transparency, moderate cost and good print results; average barrier; best suited to biscuits and low-oil treats; cost index ⭐⭐
2. PET/AL/PE structure (with aluminum foil) — excellent barrier with a long shelf life; opaque, non-recyclable and higher in cost; ideal for meat treats and freeze-dried treats; cost index ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. PET/PA/PE structure (with nylon) — puncture-resistant with good barrier and a transparent look; higher cost; the right pick for bone-in treats and sharp-edged treats; cost index ⭐⭐⭐
4. Mono-material PE structure — recyclable and eco-friendly, and compliant with the EU PPWR regulation; average barrier that usually needs a coating; suited to pet food exported to the EU; cost index ⭐⭐⭐
For a detailed comparison of different materials, refer to our earlierPros and cons comparison of 6 common packaging materials.
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 | Applicable 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 | Pet treat gift boxes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Differentiated competition |
Stand-up zipper pouches are pet treat packaging pouches’ most mainstream format, for three reasons: they stand out on the shelf, they can be reopened and resealed, and their capacity is flexible. Practical experience shows individual treat packs (10g-30g) are best in three-side seal pouches, family packs (200g-500g) in stand-up zipper pouches, and gift packs (1kg and above) in 8-side seal pouches.
Printing process: choosing between composite printing and digital printing
1. Lamination printing (gravure printing): delivers saturated colors, consistent batch quality and low cost at volume; plate-making fees are high and minimum order quantities are large; best for stable bulk orders (>10,000 pcs).
2. Digital printing: requires no plate fees, works for small batches and turns around fast (3-7 days); unit price is higher and color consistency slightly looser; ideal for new product tests, small batches and personalization.
Selection of printing inks: water-based inks are eco-friendly with low VOC and are recommended; UV inks are vivid but carry high VOC emissions; benzene-free and ketone-free inks are mandatory for food packaging and comply with theEU food contact materials framework regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 standard.
Compliance essentials: special requirements for pet food packaging
Labeling requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
| Label element | Requirement | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient list | Must be labeled | GB 7708-2011 |
| Net content | Must be labeled | Metrology Law |
| Production date / shelf life | Must be labeled | Food Safety Law |
| Storage conditions | Recommended | Industry practice |
| Food production license number | Must be labeled | SC certification requirements |
| Pet food labeling | Must be labeled | 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
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 above 50 tons, lock in pricing
4. Mono-materials: meets EPR requirements, reducing fees by 30%-50%
5. Localized supply chain: reducing shipping costs and lead times
Summary: selection framework for pet treat packaging pouches
Looking back at pet treat packaging pouches as a whole, selection can be summarized as:
- Determine product characteristics -> meats/biscuits/freeze-dried, oil content, moisture content
- Determine materials -> PET/PE, PET/AL/PE, PET/PA/PE, based on barrier requirements
- Determine pouch type -> stand-up zipper pouches (mainstream), 8-side seal pouches (premium)
- Determine printing -> gravure (large volumes), digital (small batches)
- Determine compliance -> food-contact material standards, labeling requirements, export compliance
Pet treat pouches are not about “the more expensive the better”, but “the safer and more suitable the better”.
To learn more about choosing between pouch types, see ourDetailed Guide to Common Flexible Packaging Pouch Types.
Have pet treat packaging pouch customization needs? Welcome toContact PurestPack. We offer one-stop service from material selection, structural design, printing and sampling to mass production, with our professional team providing free customization advice to help your product stand out on the shelf.
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References:State Administration for Market Regulation food contact material standards, EU framework regulation on food contact materials、FEDIAF《Pet Food Packaging Guidelines 2025》