Pet Food Packaging Selection Guide

# Pet Food Packaging Selection Guide

Amcor is partnering on single-dose pet nutrition packaging. Packaging is becoming part of the product experience.

Bag types

| Type | Best for | Pros | Cons |

|------|----------|------|------|

| Stand-up zip pouch | Dry kibble | Resealable | Costly |

| Flat pouch | Treats/freeze-dried | Cheap | Not resealable |

| Foil tray/pouch | Wet/fresh | Excellent barrier | Needs sterilization |

| Can/cup | Wet food | Premium look | Expensive |

| Single-dose sachet | Supplements/trial | Convenient | Small volume |

Materials

• PE/PP: cheap, average barrier
• Foil laminate: best barrier, longest shelf life
• Compostable: eco, costly
• Kraft paper: premium look, average barrier

Why small packaging wins

1. Single-pet households — less waste

2. Trial and subscription models

3. Premium positioning

What to look for in a co-packer

1. Do they have packaging partners?

2. How many bag types can they run?

3. What's the packaging MOQ (often higher than product MOQ)?

4. Can they print in color?

Cost reference

• Flat pouch: $0.015-$0.08, 5000 MOQ
• Stand-up zip: $0.08-$0.30, 3000 MOQ
• Foil tray: $0.05-$0.15, 10000 MOQ
• Single-dose sachet: $0.03-$0.12, 10000 MOQ

Common pitfalls

1. Ignoring packaging MOQ

2. Wrong barrier for moisture content

3. Over-complicated printing

4. Ignoring shipping weight

How to choose

• Dry kibble: stand-up zip, foil laminate
• Freeze-dried treats: flat pouch, 50-100g
• Wet food: foil tray or cup
• Supplements: single-dose sachets

If you're launching a new product and unsure about packaging, Mixiaoqi pet food OEM/ODM works with multiple packaging suppliers and can recommend based on your product and budget, starting at 3000 units.

FAQ

Do I buy packaging or does the co-packer?

Either way. Co-packer is more convenient.

Is small packaging expensive?

Higher unit cost but higher retail price.

Can I design my own packaging?

Yes, the co-packer provides the dieline, you provide the artwork.