Why do stand up pouches dominate the pet treat packaging？

Pet owners expect premium quality, but also practical packaging. The shift is clear. Stand-up pouches¹ are winning.

Stand-up pouches¹ dominate the pet treat packaging² market because they offer convenience, visibility, and strong branding impact while keeping costs low.

I still remember when I tried switching a client’s rigid container to flexible packaging. Their sales jumped in just weeks. That was when I realized: the pouch wasn’t just packaging—it was a silent salesperson.

What makes stand up pouches the go-to choice for pet treats?

Pet treat brands need packaging that grabs attention on shelves—and keeps treats fresh.

Pouches win with easy storage, resealability³, and eye-catching design. They check all the boxes for pet food companies.

Let’s break this down.

1 Portability and convenience matter to pet owners

Pet owners often travel with treats. Whether heading to the park or training at home, they need easy-access packaging.

• Zipper closures make resealing simple
• Lightweight design is easier to carry
• No spillage compared to tubs or boxes

“Customers love the zip closure and slim design—it fits in my bag!” — One of my U.S. clients shared this during a recent reorder call.

2 Shelf impact is higher with pouches

Stand-up pouches¹ stand tall and face-forward. This makes your brand more visible compared to flat bags or jars.

Pouches give marketers more space to tell a story. This is crucial in the pet treat market, where emotion sells.

3 Barrier performance protects freshness

Pet treats often include meat-based or moisture-sensitive ingredients. Spoiled treats damage trust fast.

Stand-up pouches¹ use multi-layer laminates⁴. These layers:

• Block oxygen and moisture
• Maintain aroma
• Extend shelf life

We often recommend PET/AL/PE or Kraft/PET/PE for clients in humid countries. These structures balance barrier and price.

How do stand up pouches support sustainability goals⁵?

Sustainability is more than a trend—it's an expectation now.

Pouches use less material, reduce shipping volume, and are now available in recyclable options.

Consumers are asking brands to go green. Many of our European buyers now request mono-material PE pouches⁶ or paper-based stand-up bags.

1 Lower material usage and carbon footprint

Let’s compare packaging weights:

One of our Canadian clients reduced logistics cost by 27% after switching from jars to pouches. Lower weight means more units per shipment.

2 Recyclable materials are growing

While traditional pouches used mixed materials, now mono-material films allow for recycling.

At IMIPAK, we provide:

• PE/PE recyclable pouches
• Kraft paper + PLA biodegradable options

Our R&D is testing even thinner barrier layers to meet both performance and recyclability.

What do buyers like Mark Chen look for when choosing pouch packaging?

Buyers are under pressure to cut cost—but still deliver a premium experience.

They want low MOQ, fast lead time, flexible customization⁷, and reliable delivery.

I’ve worked with many like Mark. Here's what they typically ask in our first meeting:

• “Can I see a sample with my logo?”
• “What’s the MOQ if I only want 3 SKUs?”
• “How do I make sure the pouches won’t smell weird?”

1 Customization is key

Buyers want options. We offer:

This helps them test the market with limited risk.

2 Logistics and trust

Late shipments hurt sales. We keep 10 production lines running to meet deadlines.

Plus, we share:

• Batch tracking
• Material certification
• Real-time production updates

Many of our buyers, especially from North America, told me they left other suppliers due to fake certifications or weak communication.

What challenges do stand up pouches still face?

No solution is perfect. Pouches face challenges too.

The biggest concern is recyclability complexity and possible odor issues⁸ with low-quality material.

We’ve had buyers switch to us after bad experiences with low-cost suppliers. They complained:

• The bag material had a strong odor
• Ink rubbed off after just a few weeks
• Pouches leaked under pressure

1 Quality consistency

Cheap doesn’t mean good value. We always suggest:

• Use food-grade ink
• Ask for odorless lamination adhesives
• Request drop test video before bulk shipping

2 Recyclability vs. Performance

High barrier pouches are often not fully recyclable. Mono-materials are improving, but not perfect.

We help clients balance this by:

• Choosing thinner but effective films
• Offering “recyclable-ready” options
• Using recyclable zippers and valves

Conclusion

Stand-up pouches¹ dominate because they balance branding, function, and sustainability.