10 Questions to Ask Pet Food Packaging Suppliers

Choosing the right packaging partner is one of the most important decisions a pet food brand will make. Your packaging isn’t just a container, it’s what keeps your product fresh, what stands out on a crowded shelf, and increasingly, what tells customers about your brand’s values. With so many suppliers claiming to offer the best solutions, how do you separate genuine expertise from empty promises?

At Tyler Packaging, we’ve spent decades supplying flexible packaging to the pet food industry, and we know that the right questions can save brands time, money, and headaches down the line. Here are ten questions every pet food brand should ask before choosing a packaging supplier.

1. What experience do you have specifically in pet food packaging?

Pet food has unique requirements compared with other food categories; larger pack formats, higher weights, and product ranges spanning wet, dry, and treat formats. A supplier who understands the pet food industry specifically, rather than food packaging in general, will be better placed to recommend formats and materials that actually work for your product.

2. What packaging formats and structures can you offer?

Flexible packaging for pet food comes in many forms such as stand-up pouches, flat-based pouches, quad packs, polywoven sacks, and bags, in weights ranging from small treat pouches up to 25kg formats. A supplier with a broad range of formats can adapt to different product lines rather than forcing your brand into a one-size-fits-all solution.

3. What sustainable and recyclable options do you provide?

Sustainability has moved from a nice-to-have to an expectation. Ask potential suppliers about recyclable, recycled-content, and compostable packaging options, and whether they can provide data, such as a Life Cycle Assessment, to back up their sustainability claims. A credible supplier should be able to show, not just tell, how their materials perform environmentally.

4. Are your products certified to recognised food safety and quality standards?

Because pet food packaging comes into contact with a product that’s consumed by animals, food-grade safety standards matter. Ask whether the supplier’s products are produced in accordance with recognised standards such as BRC/IoP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000. Certification isn’t just paperwork, it’s evidence of consistent, audited quality control.

5. What printing capabilities do you offer?

Shelf appeal sells pet food. Ask what print technologies a supplier uses, for example, digital, flexographic and rotogravure printing, and how many colours they can print. High-quality, vibrant printing can be the difference between a pack that gets noticed and one that gets overlooked.

6. Can you support both small brands and larger production runs?

Whether you’re a new, ultra-premium brand launching your first product or an established name scaling up, your supplier should be able to flex to your production needs. From smaller specialist runs to high-volume manufacturing, without compromising on quality or turnaround.

7. What material options do you offer for freshness and barrier protection?

Pet food needs to stay fresh, whether it’s kibble, wet food, or treats. Ask what laminate structures and barrier materials are available and how these affect shelf life, moisture protection, and product integrity.

8. Do you offer functional features like venting, resealability, and easy-open closures?

Practical features matter to consumers. Ask about options such as valves for venting, advanced closures for easy opening and resealing, and packaging suitable for microwaving or autoclave sterilisation, depending on your product type. These details can significantly improve the customer experience with your brand.

9. How involved will you be in the design and development process?

Packaging development works best as a collaboration. Ask how the supplier approaches design and development. Will they work with you through a conceptual and specification process, or simply produce to a fixed template? A supplier who invests time in understanding your brand and target market is more likely to deliver packaging that truly reflects your product’s quality and positioning.

10. What do your existing pet food customers say about working with you?

Finally, ask for references or testimonials from other pet food brands. Reliability, technical knowledge, and customer service are just as important as the product itself. A supplier with a strong track record of long-term relationships in the pet food industry is a good sign you’re in safe hands.

The right packaging supplier should feel like an extension of your team, bringing technical expertise, sustainable options, and design support to help your product succeed on shelf. At Tyler Packaging, we’ve been supplying the pet food industry since 1982, working with brands of all sizes to deliver flexible packaging that combines quality, innovation, and sustainability.

If you’re evaluating packaging suppliers for your pet food brand, we’d love to answer these questions, and more. Get in touch with the Tyler Packaging team today to find out how we can support your next project.