How to custom pet treat bag?

As a flexible packaging factory¹ working daily with pet food brands, treat manufacturers, and specialty importers, I get asked a lot:

How do I create custom pet treat bags² that protect the product, are cost-efficient, and work well for both shelf display and logistics?

Short answer: Start by choosing material based on shelf-life and product type (wet or dry). Then select bag formats by weight—stand-up pouches³ for small packs, eight-side seal for mid-size, and reinforced four-side seal for heavy bags. For small batches, custom stickers⁴ on stock bags or digital printing⁵ offers quick and economical branding. Nylon reinforcement and aluminum layers can boost strength and barrier performance for large-size dog or cat food bags.

At IMIPAK, we’ve produced pet food bags in sizes from 72g to 10kg. Our real-world experience across dog treats, cat food, moist kibble⁶, and dry pellets shapes every packaging suggestion we give.

How do you package homemade dog treats to sell?

Homemade pet treat sellers often start small—but packaging is just as important as the recipe. Buyers need to trust your product at first glance.

To package homemade dog treats for sale, choose food-safe packaging that matches the weight and product form, then add custom branding via printed stickers or digital print. This lets you test the market before investing in full production runs.

Best formats for small-scale pet treats

Most clients starting with handmade or small-batch treats use sizes like:

• 72g
• 200g
• 500g

For these, the most popular format is the stand-up pouch. It holds shape, stands upright, and works well on store shelves or at markets.

Branding: sticker labels or digital printing⁵?

To control costs for small runs, we recommend:

• Stock stand-up pouches³ (plain kraft, matte black, or gloss white)
• Custom sticker labels for front and back—quick, low MOQ
• Digital printing on demand, for those needing premium look with flexible order size

Just like with small coffee brands, this combo allows treat sellers to visualize their packaging with minimal upfront cost.

How to label dog treats?

Labeling builds trust. A clear, well-designed label tells pet owners your product is safe, thoughtfully made, and professional—even at small scale.

Dog treat labels should include product name, weight, ingredients, feeding guidance, expiration or best-before date⁷, and branding. In small-batch setups, we usually apply these via custom sticker labels or digital-printed stock bags.

What information must be on a pet treat label?

• Product name and brand
• Net weight (e.g., 200g)
• Ingredient list
• Feeding instructions or daily limit
• Best-before date
• Batch number (optional but useful)
• Manufacturer contact details
• Optional: nutrition facts, barcode, website

Labeling method options

IMIPAK helps clients prepare label layout on dielines, and we also assist with sticker dimensions and placement guidelines.

Is it cheaper to make homemade dog treats?

For some, yes. But packaging, compliance, and branding still carry costs. If your goal is to scale, the savings in ingredients may be offset by rising packaging complexity.

Making homemade treats can be cheaper when produced in volume and paired with affordable packaging strategies like sticker-labeled stand-up pouches³. But as your brand grows, higher-quality packaging will be needed to match customer expectations.

What affects total cost?

• Ingredient sourcing
• Batch size and baking time
• Packaging cost per unit
• Distribution model (local sales vs shipping)

How packaging impacts your margin

Start with stock + stickers. Move to digital printing⁵ when your visuals need to compete on shelves. Use custom laminated pouch⁸es when you scale into supermarkets or export.

What is a dog treat bag? Does pouch type and material depend on dry or moist pet food? Are cat and dog food bags the same?

Dog treat bags are flexible pouches specifically designed to hold dry or moist treats. Material, closure type, and bag format vary based on product type and weight.

Yes, the bag type and material vary between dry and wet food. For dry treats under 3kg, stand-up and eight-side seal bags with a metallized layer are most common. Wet or high-moisture foods require high-barrier films with better sealing. For 5kg–10kg dry food, dog and cat bags may share similar structures, but additional nylon reinforcement⁹ is often added to dog food bags due to higher weight and risk of tearing.

Real formats we’ve manufactured at IMIPAK

Woven bags vs laminated bags

Some clients request woven polypropylene bags¹¹ for 5–10kg dry pet food. These are:

• Breathable
• Strong against tearing
• Lower-cost

However, they lack:

• Strong moisture and oxygen barriers
• Modern branding appeal

That’s why laminated pouches with nylon reinforcement⁹ are preferred for high-value pet foods that need freshness over 6–12 months.

Cat food vs dog food bags — what's different?

For dry products under 3kg, packaging for cats and dogs is often the same. But:

• Cat food bags tend to be smaller, often in 1.5kg–2kg, with premium designs
• Dog food bags are often heavier (3kg, 5kg, 10kg), needing stronger materials and seals

At IMIPAK, we add extra nylon for dog food bags ≥5kg to boost anti-drop and anti-puncture performance.

Dive Deeper: Matching Bag Type to Product Type and Weight

Choosing the right bag format is not just about aesthetics. It impacts performance during sealing, filling, transport, and consumer use.

Pet food bag selection by weight

Material recommendations by use case

Closure options for pet bags

• Zippers — standard for ≤3kg bags
• Slider zip — preferred in premium 5kg–10kg dog food
• Tear notch only — for single-use or cost-effective solutions
• Tin tie — classic look, good for dry treats

We also support features like transparent windows¹², valves (for baked treats), and matte + spot UV printing to help your product stand out.

Conclusion

Custom pet treat packaging isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right bag depends on your product weight, moisture level, and shelf-life goals. Use stock pouches with printed stickers or digital printing⁵ for small batches. For heavier bags, prioritize bag strength and sealing performance. Whether it’s cat food or dog treats, we at IMIPAK help you match the right bag structure, material, and decoration to your market strategy.