Pet Food Packaging Trends: A Tail-Wagging Journey

Nowadays, it is hard to find an unpacked product on store shelves. 95% of products are packed by a manufacturer. Pet food is one of the products that require obligatory packing due to their physical and nutritional properties. Proper packing of pet food is all about the preservation of taste, aroma, and nutrients.

Yet, pets do not choose food themselves. These are their owners who select food for animals. Thus, wrapping comes as a marketing tool that can manage consumer behavior. Multiple trends in the packaging industry are able to urge customers to buy particular products. This is what we’re going to concentrate on. In the article, you’ll find up-to-date info about pet food packaging trends and how they affect consumer behavior.

Pet Food Packaging Trends

The wrapping industry is constantly developing. New technologies are implemented, while design trends evolve. Thus, covers are adjusted to the demands of modern consumers. Nowadays, the following trends are observed in the packaging industry.

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainability is the most topical trend on the modern market. Since packaging waste pollutes the Earth a lot and the pace of contamination increases exponentially, the need to think about cover recyclability or proper disposal is a must for modern society. Thus, the shift to recyclable or biodegradable materials helps restrain the growth of garbage, which is why it is obligatory for manufacturers.

The use of sustainable wrappers attracts conscious customers who try to take care of the planet. Thus, eco-friendly covers for pet food can become a decisive factor for consumers when selecting products.

Recycling comes as a wrapper-effective solution for reducing the amount of garbage and the negative impact on the environment. The use of organic materials (banana leaves, bamboo, etc.) is another popular direction of packaging industry evolution.

Uniflex comes as one of the conscious manufacturers of pet food packaging. The company is well-versed in the latest technologies and implements eco-friendly solutions to produce safe wrappers. For example, mono structures of PP and PE are used to make covers recyclable. Uniflex is an expert in the sphere of product packaging. It is ready to offer unique high-quality options for any type of product, including sustainable pet food packaging.

Personalization

The global consumption market features a high level of personalization, meaning that consumers appreciate an individual approach to designing covers. In this regard, pet owners expect the designers of wrappers to figure out personalized solutions, taking into account their needs. This concept is reflected by vivid designs for different categories of consumers.

Convenience

Ease of wrapper handling is another important criterion when consumers select food for pets. Many manufacturers equip packages with extra tools for better convenience and ease of opening and storage. For example, the following options are applied:

• zipper locks;
• handles;
• opening sticks;
• transparent windows;
• euro slots.[1] 

Such tools allow for opening and closing packages multiple times, which helps preserve food freshness and prevent spoilage. Others facilitate carrying and product observation. As a result, all sorts of convenience tools lead to improving consumer loyalty.

Transparency and Clean Labeling

Labeling is one more important parameter of proper package designing, since it helps achieve smooth communication with customers. Modern consumers pay due attention to the product content and are willing to study a list of ingredients. Brands that provide clear and straightforward labeling get a competitive advantage since their interaction with consumers is easier.

When designing labels, brands should specify all the needed info that may interest consumers. These include a list of ingredients, origin, expiry date, etc. Clear and transparent specification of this information helps gain brand trust and enhance credibility among consumers.

Technology Integration

The implementation of innovative technologies helps improve interaction with consumers. QR codes and augmented reality techniques help enhance the packaging experience. By scanning codes, consumers can learn even more info about the product and obtain all the needed info. This technology provides higher interactivity. Besides, tech integration contributes to market differentiation.

Health and Wellness Focus

Pet owners pay due attention to the dietary needs of their animals. Thus, they tend to study the nutritional benefits of treats before making a decision and prefer to select premium-class food to guarantee product safety.

Manufacturers should highlight this aspect to provide consumers with the needed info. Emphasizing this type of information on labels helps attract health-conscious consumers and increase sales.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although trends are aimed at simplifying production processes and improving package quality, packaging manufacturers face a number of challenges. Trying to get accustomed to quickly developing technologies, they should renovate their facilities and production mechanisms. Some trends cause extra expenses on realization, which is why companies are not willing to implement them.

Yet, technologies do not stand still. New trends appear constantly. Thus, it is inevitable to avoid[2]  them; otherwise, you won’t be compatible on the modern market.

The modern packaging industry offers a wide variety of solutions for pet food. Flexible wrappers come in different shapes and sizes. Pouches, bags, sachets, pillows, etc. are available for packing dry or wet food. Plastic comes as the most popular pet food packaging material. Such wrappers guarantee the highest level of protection against external impacts; they create and maintain the optimal climate inside covers to preserve food freshness and nutritional value. Besides, they are favorable to all printing technologies with the opportunity to apply inks, pictures, and logos durably.