The pet food industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, offering a diverse range of meal options that cater to our beloved pets’ unique tastes and preferences.

The pet food packaging trends towards the humanization of pets have led to an emphasis on premiumization in pet food and treat packaging, which appeals to both the pets and their owners through a multi-sensory experience.

From choice cuts of protein to freeze-dried ingredients, pet food has come a long way in meeting our furry friends’ evolving needs and demands.

VISUAL APPEAL: High-Definition Design and Convenient Stand-Up Bags

The appearance of a product plays a significant role in its perceived value, and pet food and treat packaging are no exception. In a crowded market, pet food brands opt for eye-catching packaging to stand out and capture consumers’ attention.

To make their pet food packaging more visually appealing, brands are incorporating the following design elements:

• High-quality, realistic images of pets rather than cartoonish graphics
• The use of black backgrounds conveys a premium feel
• Bold, engaging font choices and popular ‘human food’ labels (gluten-free, natural, holistic, etc.)
• Transparent packaging and ingredient labeling for more extraordinary product visibility and clarity

Moreover, pet food manufacturers opt for innovative packaging designs that set their products apart, such as stand-up pouches (quad bags and Doypacks). These packages are designed to be self-standing, adding a premium feel to the development and allowing it to be easily seen on store shelves.

A Sensory Experience: Matte Textures and User-Friendly Packaging

In the past, pet food was primarily packaged in large, multi-layered paper bags that didn’t offer an enjoyable tactile experience.

However, producers are now experimenting with various materials to provide a different feel, including soft-touch satin and matte packaging.

A trendy type of matte finish is registered matte, where only specific parts of the package are matte to draw attention and provide contrasting textures.

Packaging has become smaller and more portable to cater to younger pet owners who tend to be less brand-loyal and are open to trying new pet food products.

This group, often busy young urban professionals, is less likely to purchase pet food in bulk and prefers more compact and convenient packages as they can easily carry it. These packages’ lightweight and compact designs are becoming increasingly popular among this demographic.

Sound: Simplicity is Key in pet food industry

Remembering the old-fashioned large paper bags of pet food, the noise they made when opened and dispensed often conveyed a sense of cheapness and dryness.

In contrast, modern premium and gourmet pet food products aim to product freshness, high quality, and nutritious ingredients.

The packaging must produce a softer and quieter sound to convey this message. The use of anti-crinkle and rustle-free materials in flexible pet food packaging is now making this possible.

Taste: Extending Freshness through Modified Atmosphere Packaging Technology

Nowadays, pet food companies claim their products are so good that humans can eat them. This statement reflects the increasing trend of humanizing and making pet food more premium.

Pet food manufacturers are using whole ingredients like chicken breast, top-quality cuts of meat, and fresh vegetables, which appeals to consumers and, according to the companies, appeals to pets as it satisfies their natural desire for fresh, raw food.

Particular packaging technologies are required to ensure that fresh and perishable ingredients stay fresh. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a solution that can keep pet food fresh for several weeks or even months. This is achieved through barrier packaging films, oxygen-absorbing packets, and nitrogen flushing.

AROMA: Aromatic satisfaction for both pets and human.

Pet food and treat companies are now striving to make the scent of their products more pleasing to pet owners. The focus on using whole, fresh ingredients has led to a reduction in strong odors and an increase in pleasant scents that are appealing to both humans and pets.

Eating together with pets has become a significant part of the day for many pet owners, especially among millennials. A survey by Wakefield Research found that over half of millennial pet owners considered it essential to share meal times with their pets.

Unlike in the past, when the human sensory experience of feeding pets was not regarded as necessary, modern pet owners now take their preferences and personalities into account when choosing food and treats for their pets.

However, the sense of smell in most pets is highly developed. Therefore, packaging films must be carefully selected to ensure they do not overpower or alter the subtle scents of modern pet foods.

Elevating the Pet Food Experience with High-End Packaging Equipment

To stand out from the competition in the pet food industry, companies are looking to create a unique and premium experience for their customers. This includes appealing to all five senses, which can be achieved using automated pet food packaging machines.

Such equipment can bring numerous benefits to pet food producers, such as the ability to:

• Generate single-use packs for a sampling program with ease
• Expand a small business to accommodate the rising demand
• Boost production efficiency while retaining a premium, small-batch appearance
• Redeploy packaging personnel to focus on valuable tasks such as research and development or consumer insights

By utilizing pet food packaging machinery, companies can elevate the experience for their pets and owners.

Custom Pet Food Packaging Machine

At Packway Machinery, we understand the importance of premium packaging in the pet food industry and its role in providing a multi-sensory experience for pets and their owners.

With our extensive knowledge and experience in the field, we can help guide you in choosing the right pet food packaging solutions for your pet food product.

Whether you’re looking to improve production efficiency, expand your small business, or generate single-use packs for a sampling program, our team of experts is here to support you at every step.