Pet products are one of the fastest-growing categories for independent and DTC brands, and the packaging expectations have grown right along with it. Pet owners now shop pet treats and supplements the same way they shop their own food and skincare — reading ingredient lists, checking for premium materials, and judging brand quality by the box before they ever open it. At the same time, anything marketed as food, treats, or a consumable for an animal in the US carries real labeling requirements that need to be built into your packaging from day one.
Here is what to know about structure, materials, and compliance before you order custom pet product packaging.
Common Pet Packaging Formats
Most custom pet packaging falls into a few standard formats depending on the product inside:
- Folding cartons for treats, chews, and dry supplements — the most cost-effective option and fully customizable with print and window die-cuts to show the product.
- Rigid boxes for premium treat assortments, grooming sets, or gift-style pet product bundles, giving the same high-end unboxing feel used in cosmetics and gifting.
- Stand-up pouches with a printed header card or box wrap for treats and food sold by weight, common for kibble-style or freeze-dried products.
- Pillow boxes or small folding cartons for supplement chews, dental sticks, and single-serve treat packs.
A window die-cut — either an open cut or a clear PET film insert — is one of the most requested features for treat packaging specifically, since pet owners want to see the actual product (color, size, texture) before buying, especially online where they cannot smell or touch it.
Materials: Food Contact Matters Here
If your packaging directly touches a pet treat, chew, or food product, the material is classified as a Food Contact Substance (FCS) under FDA rules and needs to meet the same safety standards as human food packaging materials. This mainly affects any inner liner, pouch film, or tray that has direct product contact — the outer printed carton or box usually does not need FCS certification if the product itself is bagged or wrapped separately inside it.
For the outer packaging, standard SBS paperboard (300–350gsm) or recycled kraft board are both common choices, with kraft finishes especially popular for brands leaning into a natural or “clean label” positioning, which resonates strongly in the pet food and treat category right now.
US Labeling Requirements for Pet Food and Treats
Pet food and treat labeling in the US is regulated at both the federal (FDA) and state level, with AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials) providing the model standards most states adopt. Here is what has to appear on the package:
- Principal Display Panel (front label): brand name, product name, a clear statement of the intended species (e.g., “dog treats” or “cat food”), and the net quantity statement in both US customary and metric units, positioned within the bottom 30% of the front panel.
- Information panel (back or side label): guaranteed analysis, full ingredient list ordered by weight, manufacturer or distributor name and address, and feeding directions where applicable.
- Nutritional adequacy statement: required for products marketed as a complete food, but products labeled specifically as treats, snacks, or supplements are generally exempt from this requirement, since they’re not positioned as a full diet.
- Minimum text size: label text must be at least 1/16 inch in height, or 1/32 inch for packages smaller than 12 square inches.
Because ingredient lists and guaranteed analysis panels are dense, most pet brands print this information directly on the box or bag rather than a separate sticker, which means your box layout needs a dedicated, legible panel sized correctly from the artwork stage — not squeezed in after the design is finalized.
Designing Packaging That Builds Trust
Beyond compliance, a few design choices consistently perform well in the pet category:
- A visible product window or clear photography builds more buyer confidence for treats and chews than description alone.
- Matte or soft-touch finishes with a kraft or off-white base color are strongly associated with “natural,” “healthy,” and “premium” positioning in this category.
- Resealable features (a tuck-lock lid, zip pouch, or friction-fit lid) are increasingly expected for treat packaging, since pet owners buy in bulk and need to keep product fresh between uses.
Getting Your Pet Packaging Made
At Caiye Packaging, we produce custom folding cartons, rigid boxes, and printed pouches for pet treat, supplement, and grooming brands, and we can help lay out your guaranteed analysis and ingredient panel correctly before your artwork goes to print. If you’re still scoping your first order, our custom packaging MOQ guide and sampling and production timeline guide walk through what to expect, or contact us directly for a quote.