Did you know that dogs are the most popular pets in the US?
Well, that’s quite true.
People consider their pet dogs family members and don’t shy away from spending a large chunk of their money on dog food and care. In the US, it’s $339/year on average, and in India, that’s about 4,500-5,000 in a month!
These figures mean a huge opportunity for dog food brands.
But the question is, “How do you—as a dog food brand—set yourself apart?”
Believe it or not, the answer lies in great packaging that shines on the shelves and compels dog owners to choose your brand over dozens of others.
Therefore, the least you can do is be updated with trending dog food packaging designs. And with this blog, we will help you do that.
Read on as we take you through six trendy dog food packaging design ideas that can make your dog food brand a winner in the market!
Before we talk about six of the best dog food packaging design ideas, we must answer a pressing question: Why should you even care about dog food packaging?
Good packaging is important for most products for obvious reasons. It grabs attention, builds brand recall, and makes customers keep coming back. However, when it comes to dog food packs, a meticulously crafted packaging design takes on some interesting use cases.
Here are five of them:
Packaging contains the secret sauce of connecting with dog owners: visuals. After all, images are often the very first thing to grab a customer’s attention. They instantly connect with owners and encourage them to try the product.
A well-built, happy-go-lucky dog on a dog food pack immediately resonates with potential customers. They want their furry friends to be as mighty and genial as the ones in the packets. Buying the packet thus becomes the first step towards making that happen!
People want to know if the food they are about to buy is healthy for their four-legged friends. For example, does the food contain chicken, fish, or plant-based protein? Are the ingredients organic or non-GMO? Is the food suitable for a large dog or a small puppy? Does it have preservatives?
A thoughtfully designed dog food package answers all such questions. Effective communication doesn’t just inform the customers. It makes them trust your product and brand.
Just like any food, dog food needs to be kept fresh. And that’s exactly what a well-designed dog food pack does. It has many features that not only ensure freshness but also protect the food from external damage.
Airtight zippers and lids keep air and moisture away. Opaque packaging materials prevent light exposure, which causes color and nutrient loss. Moreover, multi-layered barrier protection minimizes oxidation and moisture absorption.
Thanks to such features, great packaging is not an option but a necessity!
Do you care about your customers’ convenience while using your products? If so, having a well-designed dog food pack is a must.
Different packaging designs ensure this convenience in different ways. Be it handles and grips, resealable closures, or tear notches—many ways make it convenient for dog owners to take the food out and feed their furry buddies.
All of this goes on to enhance the overall consumer experience. In other words, it is a great boost to your brand!
It’s no secret that dog owners care for their pets. But there is something else they care for just as much: sustainability.
According to an LEK Consulting survey, 20% of respondents were willing to pay more for sustainable pet food products. People are paying attention to the environmental impact of packaging materials.
Incorporating sustainability into dog food packaging caters to these customers. It strengthens your brand image. And best of all, it contributes to the environment!
It’s not the dogs but their owners who buy, store, and pour the food. Therefore, the aim of every dog food packaging design should be to appeal to the owners who buy the product.
“Pet food packaging needs to be high quality with good printability, to convey the pet food in the best light … [and] frequently prioritize durability and resealability to maintain freshness over longer periods.” -Alexander Korolchuk, BDM for PetCare Europe, Mondi Group
Simply put, dog food packages should not only look great but also check other boxes of convenience and freshness.
So, let us take you straight into six dog food packaging designs that are trending in 2024!
Nothing appeals more to dog owners than transparency. And this can be a perfect reason for your brand to take “transparency” quite literally.
Transparent windows allow customers to see the food before buying it. When dog owners see what’s inside, they get a better idea about the food—beyond the information that’s already available on the pack.
To make it more personal, you can make the window bone-shaped, paw-shaped, or even insert it within the mouth of a dog’s picture. All of this goes into making the pack more attractive while building trust and confidence among the customers.
Pouches are among the most common types of packaging for dog foods. They come in various sizes and are best for storing dry and frozen food over long periods.
Adding resealable fixtures to these pouches is the best way to enhance the ease of use of these pouches. You can consider adding zippers or press-to-close strips.
Resealable pouches efficiently balance convenience and preservation. They help customers keep the food fresh for longer periods. But at the same time, they let them take out the food whenever their furry champs feel hungry. The perfect sweet spot!
If you want to send a clear message of sustainability packaging design through your products, you can’t miss out on compostable dog food packs. It is the best eco-friendly option you can have for your dog food packaging.
You can choose a high-quality biodegradable material. Plant-based polyesters such as PLA or PHA are great for making pouches and films. Kraft paper is also an excellent option as it's not just compostable and biodegradable but also sufficiently strong and moisture-resistant.
These options are best for single-use pouches, though they also work fine for large packs.
Customers like a dog food package that’s easy to open, close, carry, and store. They also want the pack to keep moisture and oxygen away so the food remains fresh. Not to mention, they prefer sustainability!
Recyclable cups check all these boxes and more. Ideally preferred for dry and moist dog food, these cups can be great options for single-serving treats. You can go for paperboard cups or PET bottles, as both are recyclable materials.
Cups are very convenient to store and carry around, so it can be another plus point for customers. You can employ resealable lids to enhance the convenience. And the best part? These cups easily catch attention and have sufficient space for branding, too!
Canister packs are not as popular as pouches. But they can still serve as great packaging options for dog food.
First of all, they might be just the right options for people looking to stack up on their pet pup’s treats. Cans are sturdy, extremely durable, and can keep the food fresh for long periods.
As a cherry on top, rigid canisters give a retro look, which adds to their overall appeal for customers who love retro vibes.
Some packaging designs shine because of their sheer uniqueness and innovation. The package shown below is a great example of such a design.
Pour-and-store cardboard boxes might not be great for all kinds of dog food. But for dry dog food like biscuits and kibbles, you can incorporate innovative ideas to make it convenient for dog owners to pour the food.
For example, you can have pull-out tops that can be taken out partially to reveal dog treats. Fold-in tops can also work in the same way.
Similarly, you can consider including built-in scoops in the pack to make it easier for dog owners to measure the food portion. Such convenience-enhancing features improve the overall appeal of your food products and boost brand recall.
Great packaging designs have the power to connect with customers and grab their attention. But more importantly, it can keep the food fresh, communicate with customers, and build trust.
By adopting the dog food packaging designs we discussed above, you can make your brand shine in all these aspects. Choose a design that’s convenient and sturdy and preserves freshness. Don’t forget the importance of sustainable dog food packaging!
If you are unsure about where to start, we at Desworks are here to help. With our robust team of creative designers and researchers and the power of AI validation, we can fulfill all your design and packaging requirements.
From ideation and research to design and delivery—we handle it all so you don’t have to worry about it. Contact us now to know how we can help!