Growing up, I was aware of just 2 to 3 pet food brands. I’d step into a store, pick up that familiar yellow and blue packaging of Pedigree, stopping only to confirm if it was a 2kg or 5kg pack (had to choose the right one based on mom’s orders!)

Back then, just a few big brands had the monopoly on pet foods.  

But today, a lot has changed— starting with an actual pet food aisle in supermarkets! Our furry friends now have an entire array of product options, customized meal kits, and even the extra delight of sustainable packaging for environmentally conscious pet parents.  

And don’t even get me started about the sheer diversity of packaging design on this aisle! From sleek modern aesthetics to playful designs that celebrate our furry friends, these packages don’t just hold food—they tell a story.  

Here, we have curated a list of the 12 best pet food packaging designs to draw inspiration from while designing your own pet food package. After all, a great design can help you stand out on this very same aisle!

12 best pet food packaging designs

1. Made by Nacho

A chef-curated and pet nutritionists-backed feline food? Any cat parent would be sold for this first-of-its-kind cat food. Made by Nacho offers a selection of wet and dry cat food and snacks to improve digestion and boost immunity. They claim that their products do not contain ingredients such as wheat or soy that are major allergens and are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The packaging colors here are playful and energetic reflecting the brand’s fun, approachable theme. Some product labels include images of the cat mascot, Nacho, making it more personal and connected to the brand's story. They also have food sold in pouches and cans which have a glossy finish to it.  

The focus is on highlighting the high-quality ingredients used in their pet food, with illustrations of fresh meat or seafood and a clear emphasis on their commitment to quality. Even the readability is excellent — you can find all the vital details including the quantity, flavor, source, and claims on the packaging immediately. Additionally, the resealable packaging adds convenience and improves product durability.

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2. Maev

Maev is a new-age pet wellness brand that focuses on providing high-quality, raw dog food to create balanced meal options for dogs. It offers products such as raw food starter kits, supplement bars, and bone broth topper.

Why does the packaging design stand out?

Well, if there is an Apple brand for pets in terms of design, it is Maev for sure. With its black and white design, the packaging is modern and minimal. The typography is simple and elegant with clear labeling, showing the key benefits of the food. At the front of every package, you can spot subtle graphic elements consisting of animal symbols (such as chicken, cow) helping you recognize the source of the food.  

For their bone broth and supplement bars, the design follows the same cohesive branding—clean, stylish, and straightforward, ensuring an easy and premium unboxing experience for pet owners. It is also a recyclable pet food packaging.  

Did you know that, among pet owners, 69% are inclined to buy pet food if the packaging is designed for sustainability?

3. Bark  

Bark, as the name suggests, is a pet food and treat for dogs. They provide carefully formulated dog food recipes to help keep your dog fit while supporting healthy joints.

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The whimsical packaging design here is something that even your pet would bark about! The logo resembles a barking dog, making it easy to interpret the target audience. In terms of detailing, the packaging design deserves a gold star. Fun pastel color variations and large, easy-to-read font perfectly complements the playful nature of dogs. The packaging grabs your attention with quirky pet illustrations adding to the brand's appeal in catering to canine needs. The use of doodles adds a personal, engaging touch, while the packaging presents ingredients and recipes in a creative story format. Overall, it is a pleasing packaging to look at!  

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4. Front of the Pack

Apart from supplying dog food, Front of the Pack is known for its pure powder dog supplement developed by a group of biochemists and vets to improve canine health. It is known for its quality and transparency with the ingredients as you can clearly see on the ‘front of the pack.’  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The packaging design here is sleek, minimal, and premium. It primarily features neutral color tones including soft pastels. Again, the font is playful showing the nature of a dog. Front of the Pack also plays beautifully with visual hierarchy in its typography to grab buyers' attention while retaining its minimal, clean look.  

The key selling points of the product (such as "Air-dried dog food") and ingredients are also clearly visible, ensuring transparency about the product’s benefits helping pet parents to purchase it easier. The packaging is eco-friendly, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainability.  

5. Finn

Finn is a pet wellness brand that offers premium supplements to improve pet health. The recipes are formulated to help with hip and joint issues, anxiety, the development of a healthy and shiny coat, and vitamin deficiencies.

Why does the packaging design stand out?

Finn’s pet food packaging is unique and innovative. The visual design of the packaging is an ideal example of good hierarchy – easy-to-read label copy, contrasting colors, and a prominently visible logo.  

The color palette includes bold yet soft hues like mustard yellow, teal, deep blue, and pastel pink, giving the brand a fresh and vibrant look. This design can clearly evoke some curiosity among pet parents and has great recall value.  

6. Tilly & Ted

Tilly & Ted is another pet food brand which is created out of love for furry friends. Their sourcing and production are also committed to sustainability.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The design team has adopted an unconventional method of designing the packaging here. They have opted for photo montages in their packaging design that show personality, flavor, and benefits that are visually distinctive. Each packaging shows the cat’s or dog’s personalities with playful imagery. The color palette is bright and lively, using bold, contrasting hues to differentiate between flavors and product types.  

Among these elements, the logo is also clearly visible. Overall, the design balances humor with an emphasis on health, ensuring pet parents feel confident about the product’s quality while enjoying the brand’s lighthearted personality.

7. Kindfull by Target

With over 45 private labels under its umbrella, the American retail giant Target has a pet food brand named Kindfull, which was launched in 2021 and offers affordable, healthy food to dogs and cats.

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The packaging features bright colors with stark contrast that make it pop. A good 90% of the packaging is the use of neutral tones and pastel colors, creating a calming visual.

The designers have creatively incorporated proteins and flavors of pet food on the design through illustrations that look like paper cut-outs. The font choice is also appealing as it perfectly complements the overall aesthetic of the packaging. All-in-all, the Kindfull design team has done an excellent job at organizing the label and giving it a premium look.

8. Ziggy

Based out of France, Ziggy is a natural cat food startup that makes high-quality, gourmet food and stylish accessories for cats.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

When you look at Ziggy’s packaging, they have used minimal fonts and soft pastel colors, perfectly reflecting the personality of cats. A key design element is the use of whimsical and stylized block illustrations of cats, giving the brand a fun and friendly face. These illustrations, combined with minimal yet bold typography, create a contemporary and eye-catching aesthetic. The logo, too, stands out among these catchy illustrations. The product features are organized on the front of the packaging and overall, there is enough real estate for all the relevant information, making Ziggy’s products an example of a good pet food packaging design.

9. Lyka

Started with the founder curating a homemade diet for her dog Lyka, this Australian dog food brand offers a fresh and personalized dog food subscription service.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The contrast between green and light orange in Lyka's packaging offers a vibrant and natural touch to the overall design. The packaging design is completely clean, and uses modern fonts, and the unique selling points (USPs) are mentioned right on the front of the pack neatly, enhancing trust and clarity.  

The best part is the functionality of the packaging which has a zip lock feature protecting the food for a longer time. This same packaging is also designed to be biodegradable.  

10. Frankie & friends

Frankie & friends is a pet food and accessories brand that is exclusively available at Woolworths Supermarkets, an Australian chain of supermarkets.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The packaging features a bright and cheerful color palette, using soft pastels and warm tones to create an inviting and friendly aesthetic. The design here stands out with illustrations of various pets including birds, rabbits, and fish and their natural habitat, each tailored to the specific product. The typography is clean and modern, ensuring easy readability, while key product benefits—such as nutritional highlights and ingredient transparency—are prominently displayed for quick consumer understanding. This makes the brand more trustworthy as well.  

And speaking of visibility, some packages of the brand let you see what the food or treat looks like. Some other packages even offer a pull-out option which is easier than tearing or cutting the package which makes it user-friendly. The entire packaging design is neat, and the logo design is playful and detailed.  

11. Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is one of the leading pet food brands that has existed in the market since 2003. The name was inspired by the founders’ dear dog – Blue. Their message to their furry consumers is “Our promise to Blue is our promise to you”. Their products are formulated with the finest natural ingredients and thus are known for their quality.

Why does the packaging design stand out?

The packaging design confidently speaks of the premium product that they serve. It prominently features the brand’s signature blue color and diamond-shaped logo, leaning more towards a professional touch rather than a playful one. But this can reinforce its identity and reliability in the market. The packaging can be easily spotted at a readable distance due to the logo and font size. It also features a resealable option for convenience.  

Blue Buffalo also did not forget to address the problem of pet parents’ hesitancy of touching pet food. For wet food, they introduced an innovative recyclable polypropylene cup that splits in half, offering convenience for portion control and storage. This won them 2022 AmeriStar Awards in ‘Best in Show and Design Excellence’.

12. Buddy bites

Buddy Bites focuses on providing nutritious, gut healthy dog food with a packaging that meets sustainable demands.  

Why does the packaging design stand out?

When you look at the packaging, you notice how effortlessly the elements are organized. The layout is simple yet effective, with clearly labeled product information highlighting key benefits. The packaging uses a bright and cheerful color palette, with each product variant distinguished by a different vibrant hue. Not only does the design make the products visually appealing but it also helps consumers easily identify different recipes or formulas.  

The use of pastel colors is very inviting and calming, and the copy is crisp and neat making it easy to understand for first-time pet parents. The playful name and logo of the brand personally speaks to a pet parent as it is relatable. Overall, the packaging gives a young and dynamic look.  

Tips to create your ideal pet food packaging design

Creating pet food packaging that stands out on the shelf while meeting the needs of modern consumers and their furry companions can be a rewarding challenge. Here are some essential tips to help you design packaging that captures attention, builds trust, and aligns with your brand's values:

1. Study your target audience

Identify the preferences and needs of pet parents. Are they looking for premium products, affordability, or eco-friendly options? Consider the type of pet—cats, dogs, birds, or fish—and tailor the design accordingly.

2. Emphasize on clarity and simplicity

Clearly display the product name, key benefits, and essential details like ingredients, nutritional info, and serving size. Try avoiding overcrowding the design with excessive text or imagery, as this can confuse customers.

3. Incorporate attractive visuals

Use vibrant colors, bold typography, and playful imagery that appeals to both pets and pet parents. Also, do not forget to highlight your brand logo prominently to build recognition and trust.

4. Reflect brand personality

Align the packaging design with your brand's identity. Whether you are emphasizing luxury, health, sustainability, nature, or fun, make sure it shines through. Use custom illustrations or photographs of happy, healthy pets to evoke an emotional connection.

5. Focus on functionality

Ensure the packaging is easy to open, resealable, and convenient for storage. You can also consider portion control features, like pre-measured packets, for added convenience.

6. Practice sustainability

Use recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable materials to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, communicate your sustainability efforts on the packaging, such as through badges or small notes about your eco-friendly practices.

7. Comply with industry regulations

Include all required information, such as net weight, expiration dates, and feeding guidelines, in compliance with legal standards. Use easy-to-read fonts and layouts to present this information on the packaging label clearly.

Learn more about Artwork Flow’s smart label compliance feature.

8. Test the design with consumers

Organize focus groups or surveys to gather feedback on your packaging design. Tailor consumer preferences and usability concerns. Keep your customers wanting to come back for more!

Wrapping up with Artwork Flow

We have seen a dollop of creativity, functionality, and sustainability in the above packaging designs. Whether it is eco-friendly materials, bold visual storytelling, or thoughtful convenience features, these pet food brands are raising the bar for how pet food should be presented.  

A perfect pet food packaging and detailed label can assure any pet parent that your product is safe. That’s where Artwork Flow steps in. A artwork management software like Artwork Flow can automate the entire packaging design process for you:

• Store any type of packaging design files in a centralized space with metadata management that categorizes your files and retrieves them effortlessly using smart tags.  

• Manage any packaging design or development projects with automated workflows, pre-defined project templates, Gantt charts, and analytics dashboard to track progress.

• Run customized compliance checks on your labels and ensure you meet all the regulatory head requirements such as of Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).  

• Collaborate with various teams and leave accurate feedback on packaging files with proofing and annotations tools.

• Get your hands on the latest file version among many for a flawless launch with our version control feature.

Schedule a demo with us to learn what else is in store!

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