Your Pet Food & Treat Packaging Playbook: The Best Materials and Features for Your Brand

When it comes to pet food and treat packaging, barrier performance is everything. Oxygen, moisture, and UV light are basically the three villains of freshness, and your packaging needs to keep them out.

To increase product presence and build brand recognition, choose a clear material and add a window to your design to give customers a front‑row look at exactly what they’re buying, such as low-moisture treats. Select a high‑barrier clear EVOH or recyclable material to keep oxygen and moisture in check.

If your primary requirement is maximum shelf life and moisture protection, materials with metallization or foil usually become the better options.

Read on for a deeper dive into our materials.

Standard Material

This bright-white base material is one of our best sellers for a reason. Available in a matte or gloss finish, it makes vibrant designs pop and gives your packaging a polished look. Inside, the metallized PET liner adds structure and provides exceptional protection against oxygen, light, and moisture. If you want a metallic interior but don’t need metallic effects on the outside of the bag, choose standard instead of our metallic material.

Metallized films (such as MET PET) provide an excellent balance of oxygen, moisture, light, and aroma protection at a relatively low cost. They offer very good barrier performance while remaining more flexible and less expensive than foil. However, they are opaque and do not provide a complete barrier.

EVOH – White or Clear

EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) is primarily an oxygen-barrier material and is often selected when product visibility, recyclability, or a metal-free package is important. Unlike metallized films or foil, EVOH can be incorporated into transparent structures, making it ideal for pet treats, bath salts, gummies, fresh foods, and recyclable PE-based packaging. EVOH provides excellent oxygen protection, flexibility and durability, and an option for a clear window to showcase your product.

Kraft

This classic brown kraft material features a high‑barrier foil lining (the same as our Standard material), giving you a natural look and feel with serious protection. It’s a great fit for brands that want a rustic aesthetic while keeping products well-protected.

Metallic

Want to make your design pop? Our metallic material features a silver base that lets you add foil-like metallic effects to any area of your design. Available in a matte or gloss finish, it also includes a metallized interior for added structure and visual appeal. Please note Roastar cannot print black as a metallic color.

Recyclable – White or Clear

Sustainability is a growing priority in the pet industry, and recyclable materials are leading the charge. This all-HDPE film is store drop-off recyclable (#2) and offers outstanding oxygen and moisture barrier performance. It’s a smart option for brands wanting to reduce environmental impact without sacrificing shelf life.

Compostable Kraft

Industrially compostable brown kraft or white kraft offers an earthy aesthetic that pet parents love. It’s perfect for brands leaning into sustainability or clean‑ingredient storytelling whose customers have access to collection services. This material is FDA‑approved for food contact and provides a 6‑month shelf life supported by an oxygen‑ and moisture‑resistant barrier. Our compostable white kraft material meets ASTM D6868 standards for compostability, with testing in progress for brown kraft.

But wait, there’s more: We haven’t even scratched the surface yet! Whether you need custom pet food packaging or treat packaging for cats, birds, fish, reptiles, rodents, or something more exotic, Roastar has what your pet products need to stand out. Check out our full lineup of materials and features now.

Sometimes it’s the small details that make the biggest difference. Opening and closing a pet food or treat pouch shouldn’t feel like a wrestling match, and that’s exactly where smart access features like tear notches and resealable zippers work their magic. These consumer-friendly features improve usability, retail performance, and brand perception.

Resealable Zippers

Resealable zippers are the unsung heroes of pet food and treat packaging. These small but mighty champions keep pet-tempting flavor and aromas locked in while kicking moisture and humidity to the curb. A great zipper means pet parents can open and close the bag again and again without compromising product quality. This reduces waste and keeps kibble, treats, and even Carl the cockatoo’s beloved seed mix tasting exactly like it should. 

Choose from these airtight options that reinforce overall value and user-friendly design:

• Standard resealable press‑and‑seal zippers are a classic, dependable closure that most shoppers already know how to use, making it a solid choice for brands that want reliable functionality without added complexity.

• Hook‑to‑hook zippers solve a common consumer frustration: zippers that misalign, clog, or stop sealing over time. Comparable to the world-famous Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener, this hook-to-hook closure provides a satisfyingly tactile and sensory upgrade while securing the flavor and texture of your pet treats.

• Fine‑powder zippers are ideal for preventing fine particles and powders from items like pet probiotics and supplements from clogging the closure. The precise zipper profile keeps your packaging performing like a champ.

• Compostable or recyclable zippers are paired with compatible materials, giving pet brands the ability to offer a fully sustainable package without sacrificing product quality or package performance. These zippers make a big impression on pet parents seeking more environmentally friendly options.

• Pocket or “dog‑bone” zippers pair perfectly with our flat bottom bags. The pocket zipper provides easy access, reliable resealing, and a premium look and feel.

• Secure‑stash child‑resistant zippers (CRZ) keep regulated products like OTC pet meds and supplements safely out of curious hands and paws, giving brands an extra layer of protection. CRZs are designed to slow down little explorers while still offering adults a no-stress open‑and‑close experience. It requires opening instructions on back panel to ensure proper use.

The ideal zipper depends on your product’s texture, aroma intensity, and how often customers reach for the bag. Remember, the right zipper doesn’t just seal the bag; it seals the deal.

Tear Notches

An easy opening sets the tone for the whole product experience, and tear notches make sure that first impression lands. These tiny “start here” helpers give customers a clear, confident starting point. Instead of a tug‑of‑war that leads to uneven tears, spilled product, or a frantic hunt for scissors, tear notches show exactly where to open the product, creating a frustration‑free experience.

They’re especially valuable on thicker films or recyclable materials that love to play hard‑to‑tear. Recyclable tear notches are engineered specifically for store drop‑off materials, giving eco‑forward packaging the intuitive opening it needs. And when your package includes a resealable closure, a clean tear matters even more, as it protects the zipper’s integrity. Your packaging just got a whole lot friendlier.

Safety first: Tear notches provide a tamper-evident seal. Check out Roastar’s wide variety of child-resistant packaging here.

Retail displays are packed with choices, and every product is vying for attention like a pup who knows you’ve got the tasty treats. To stand out, your packaging requires more than great materials; it needs clever features that crank up visibility, improve usability, and make your product cart-worthy the moment shoppers spot it.

Hang Holes for Easy, Anywhere Display

Perfect for retail shelving, carousels, and the impulse-buy section near the register, a round hang hole helps packaging compete visually and make your product easy to display anywhere.

Premium Pet Packaging Design

Pet parents take food and treat shopping seriously. Make the most of your packaging real estate by creating an emotional connection (what’s your brand’s story?) and highlighting the benefits customers value most, such as ingredient sourcing, feeding guidelines, nutrition information, and certifications. Every inch of the bag is an opportunity to draw shoppers in and turn interest into action.

Custom printing transforms your pet product packaging into a 24/7 billboard across every sales channel, from retail aisles and ecommerce stores to local farm markets and groomer counters.

Digital-printed packaging gives you full control over every panel, without the costly plate fees, setup charges, and high MOQs that can burn through your budget. See how straightforward the custom packaging process is and how spectacular the final product turns out.

Design help: Roastar’s Designer Network connects you with pros who live and breathe packaging design. Think of it as a matchmaking hub for creatives who know exactly how to turn your concept into print‑ready perfection.

Packaging does a lot of heavy lifting: it shapes shelf appeal, protects your product, streamlines production, and even influences how pet parents feel about your brand. While it’s tempting to think “a bag is a bag,” soft treats, crunchy kibble, freeze‑dried toppers, and exotic diets all need different levels of freshness, function, and features.

We’ve put together a quick guide that pairs each product type with the materials, formats, and add‑on features that help it perform at its best. Below are a few smart combos pet brands use to keep products protected, easy to use, and impossible to miss.

Soft training treats: A lightweight format that keeps treats fresh, has a zero-hassle opening, and is a breeze to merchandise.

• kraft stand up pouch

• tear notch

• press & seal zipper

• hang hole for retail

Dental chews sample size: Extra oxygen protection keeps chews stable, while the trusty press & seal zipper makes access quick and fuss-free.

• flat pouch

• EVOH

• press & seal zipper

Dry kibble dog food: Durable construction supports heavier fills, and the hook‑to‑hook closure delivers a strong, smooth reseal.

• stand up pouch

• standard material

• tear notch

• hook-to-hook zipper

Exotic pet foods: A premium, shelf‑stable bag with a peek‑through window lets shoppers see exactly what they’re buying.

• flat bottom bag

• recyclable clear window

• press & seal recyclable zipper

• matte finish for a high-end feel

Freeze-dried toppers: A sustainability‑forward combo that protects delicate freeze‑dried pieces while reducing packaging waste.

• recyclable paper tube

• custom-printed label on the base and lid

• biodegradable zipper bag

• round seal stickers

Pet supplement powder: The stand up pouch and fine powder zipper prevent spills, keeping supplements tidy and travel‑friendly.

• stand up pouch

• standard material

• fine powder zipper

• tear notch

Pet biscuits: Classic metal protection paired with a resealable topper and a reusable plastic lid to seal in freshness.

• tin can and plastic reusable lid

• metallic material for a standout product label

• peel & stick tin can closure

Tin tin hooray: Crowned 2025’s Sustainable Product of the Year, Roastar’s peel & stick closure pairs perfectly with our tin can lineup. Order a custom-printed tin can sample pack and explore the materials, sizing, and feel.

Choosing a packaging partner shouldn’t feel like wading through a maze of materials, MOQs, and unclear lead times. For pet food and treat brands, the right partner should show up like an extension of your team.

That’s exactly why so many pet brands choose Roastar. We make the process easy and collaborative, use high-quality materials tested for the pet industry, and deliver custom-printed packaging that pet parents trust and love.

Add in flexible MOQs for growing brands and a crew of friendly, pet‑loving humans who genuinely care about your success, and you’ve got a partner built for the long haul. Our customers always have a voice; just take a look at Roastar's Trustpilot reviews and see for yourself.

Ready to create drool-worthy pet food and treat packaging? Connect with the Roastar team and let’s create packaging your customers will feel great about. Get a quick online quote or talk to our customer support team (no bots, just humans) today.

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