China’s Top Pet Food Manufacturers: OEM & Private Label

1. What is a Pet Food Manufacturer?

A pet food is any food product created by a pet food manufacturer intended to be consumed by pet animals after placement on the market.

Pet food can be wet, dry, freeze-dried, frozen, processed, unprocessed, or partially processed. Pet food manufacturers are various companies that formulate and develop food specifically made for pets.

The roles and responsibilities of pet food manufacturers in the industry go beyond formulating and producing pet food ingredients. They research to create a balanced feed formulation with the animal’s specific nutritional needs in mind. They are also tasked with sourcing the best feed raw material to create high-quality and safe food and private-label packaging.

As a growing brand, you can identify what specific type of pet food you will be offering. For instance, some brands offer dog food, cat food, Small Animal Food (rabbits, hamsters), and Bird Food (parrots).

Pet Food Manufacturers Solution

If you are a small business looking to stand out and bring high-quality pet food to the market quickly, the OEM or private label service is your best bet.

● OEM Pet Food Manufacturers

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a company that formulates and produces pet foods for brands like private labels or retailer brands.

They are mostly big companies with factories and facilities to produce high-quality pet food based on contracts or agreements.

They provide a comprehensive solution that includes planning, developing, bulk manufacturing, and packaging based on the brand’s unique product ideas.

● Private Label Pet Food Manufacturer

Private-label pet food manufacturers are similar to OEM Pet Food Manufacturers only in that it usually involves pre-formulated pet food.

Rather than creating a new pet food recipe, you agree to use a ready-made pet food formulation of another company’s product.

Private Label is a quicker and cost-efficient way businesses can brand high-quality pet food.

2. Why Partner with Chinese Pet Food Manufacturers?

Cost efficiency

Competitive cost is one of the main reasons the industrial pet food business in China has grown significantly over the years.

This is because the labor costs in China are relatively lower—thereby, reducing the overall cost of production.

That’s why you can get a high-quality pet food formulation at cheap prices.

Advanced Factories

Another reason many brands partner with Chinese Pet Food manufacturers is advanced technology in pet food formulation.

Chinese pet food manufacturers’ factories and machinery are engineered with modern facilities and artificial intelligence.

This technological advancement helps to achieve a high-quality feed formulation and custom packaging.

Scalability

Another reason why you should partner with a Chinese Pet Food manufacturer is to easily scale up your business.

As a small business with limited resources, Chinese pet food manufacturers can help you with small MOQs when starting.

As your business continues to develop, you can scale up by increasing your MOQ without unnecessary delay.

Access to Global Trends

To stay current in the pet food market, you have to be subjected to the present trends on the global market.

Working with Chinese Pet Food manufacturers will lead you to the latest trends in the world market.

They are fast to adopt the latest pet food variants from dry food to wet food to grain-free to organic food.

High-quality Feed Formulation

The Chinese pet companies do not just formulate feeds, they make use of the best raw materials to create high-quality pet food.

Your brands will stand out from the competition by partnering with the Chinese Pet Food manufacturer.

Remember, the reputation of the manufacturing company you partner with will tell a lot about your brand reputation.

3. Types of Pet Food: Dry, Wet, Freeze-Dried & Organic

Wet Pet Foods

Wet pet food comes in cans, foil trays, pouches, and chubby rolls and is one of the most popular choices.

Wet Pet Foods are usually vacuum-packed with high water levels. This makes pets drink less water because wet pet food has a high water level.

Wet food may be stored up to 5-7 days when properly kept after having been opened.

Dry Pet Foods

Dry pet foods can be flaked or extruded/baked (kibbles), and contain less moisture than wet foods—thus served in lesser quantities.

Dry diets include high carbs, but this does not prevent them from providing enough protein levels to fulfill the nutritional demands. Dry pet meals are ideal for pet owners who prefer to serve their pets at once for a long period.

Most pet owners prefer dry pet food because it can be left on the plate for a longer period. However, dry pet foods contain low moisture (about 8-10%) and pets would need to drink more water.

Freeze-Dried pet food

To prepare freeze-dried food, ingredients are heated gradually while frozen in a vacuum to drive out excess water.

Due to this, the nutrient is not reduced, making it one of the most “natural” types of dry food.

Although freeze-dried pet food is quite costly, it has a very long shelf life and requires no chemical preservatives.

Frozen pet food should not be mistaken for freeze-dried pet foods—the latter is usually more expensive and convenient to feed.

This is because freeze-drying requires more time to produce and requires specialized machinery to complete the process.

Commercial Raw Organic Pet Food

In addition to wet and dry pet food, there are commercially raw organic products that may be frozen or freeze-dried.

Raw organic pet food can include fruit, vegetables, and, in certain cases, herbs with a moisture content of around 65%.

In terms of processing, raw organic food such as meat and edible bones are chopped, combined, and frozen.

Raw Organic Pet Food is in demand among pet owners because of its natural ingredients without any additives. However, raw organic food spoils quickly and does not support leaving the food for long, unlike dry pet foods.

Species-specific formulas

Choosing the best pet food should not be assessed on the format of the food, but rather on its nutritional value.

The best pet food, however, is majorly based on the individual pet’s needs and what works best for the owner. Most manufacturers create formulas for individual pets.

For instance, cats’ foods are usually taurine-rich and grain-free, dogs are mostly protein-rich, and rabbits include fiber-rich pellets.

Also, pets like Hamsters include mixed seeds and grains, fish also benefit from floating or sinking pellets.

4. Regulations for Pet Food Production in China

To assess manufacturers’ safety standards, check if they meet international and national standards and regulations.

Local Standards and Regulations

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) oversees domestic pet food production and pet food importation. MARA set several strict rules on pet foods sold in China. From product registration, formulation, and specification to labeling and claims, etc.

For example, all ingredients and additives used in pet meals must meet the regulatory requirements in the authority’s positive lists. The Labeling Regulations for Pet Feed are the foundation of pet food labeling guidelines, including detailed criteria for necessary labeling items (e.g., product name, net weight, usage directions) and product claims.

International Standards and Regulations

ISO Standards

Check whether the manufacturers hold an ISO certificate to maintain transparency and product authenticity. Check for ISO 22000, Food Safety Management Systems, and ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems.

GMP certification

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) sets the standards and conditions needed to guarantee food safety at every stage of manufacturing and supply chain.

FDA regulation

FDA, U.S. Food and Drug is the regulatory agency of pet food in the United States. Make sure your products meet the standard and requirements of FDA when selling pet food in the United States.

EU regulation

EU regulation is tasked with the regulations of pet foods and ingredients to meet European law. If you are planning to expand into Europe, it is crucial to ascertain that your manufacturer follows strictly EU regulations

5. Private Label & OEM Solutions for Global Brands

Private Label and OEM offer one of the best solutions for global brands looking to break into the pet food company.

Here are some of the important business solutions you can get from pet food OEM solutions

Custom Formulations

One of the best solutions that private label and OEM offer is the ability to create custom pet feed formulations.

With OEM & Private Label companies, you can get the exact type of formulations according to your preference.

For instance, you can request high-protein wet, dry, or freeze-dried dog food.

Moreover, aside from the range, you can give a detailed explanation of what the ingredients of the pet food should contain.

The OEM manufacturers can tailor productions according to your needs and brand preferences.

Custom formulation solutions are important as they give you the ability to control what you want your brand to stand for.

Custom Packaging

Another important solution you stand to get by partnering with OEM and private label companies is Custom packaging.

Custom packaging is important for making the pet food safe and secure for delivery.

Furthermore, good packing also plays an important role in the average shelf life of pet food.

For example, properly kept, unopened canned wet dog food may survive up to two years. But, packaging materials not properly sealed may barely last a few months.

Bulk Wholesale Options

Private label and OEM manufacturers offer business solutions that allow brands to order in bulk at wholesale or discounted prices.

This business solution is ideal for brands that are looking to supply a huge retail market. Bulk options can allow you to negotiate costs and save more on the cost of delivery.

Either way, the average price per pet food item will be reduced significantly, giving you a high ROI.

Pet Food Research and Support

Many OEM & Private Label companies offer support in conducting pet food research and formulation to better your chances in the market.

Pet food Research and formulation is not just demanding, it is a time-consuming task. Working with OEM & Private Label companies can help you save time and resources.

In addition to formulation research, many OEM and private label companies also offer global shipping and customer support.

6. How to Choose the Best Pet Food Supplier

Certification from local and international bodies

Safety certifications and standards are required to ensure that pet food producers rigorously follow guidelines at each stage of the manufacturing process.

To ensure safety standards of producers, ensure the producer is certified by local organizations as well as international regulatory agencies.

Ensure the producer is ISO certified to ensure transparency and product integrity.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is yet another guarantee that ensures standards and conditions for food safety at all stages of production.

Also, check whether the manufacturer is strictly adhering to FDA and EU regulations if you are in the US and Europe.

R&D Capabilities

Before choosing a pet food manufacturing firm, ensure that they have a suitable research and development (R&D) capability.

OEM firms’ ability to formulate and research pet food recipes is an important factor in your business. Custom feed formulation on order can also be supported by well-R&D-equipped OEMs.

Transparency in Ingredients

Pets such as dogs or cats are particularly prone to food allergies. For instance, dogs may have digestive problems due to filler foods like wheat and maize.

On the other hand, organic ingredients such as potatoes and pumpkin might prevent allergy symptoms such as intestinal obstruction, vomiting, and discomfort

As a result, dog owners avoid pet foods that cause or include components that cause adverse effects.

So, when choosing OEM Pet Food Manufacturers, choose one with transparent and authorized ingredients.

Ending up with deceitful OEM Pet Food Manufacturers can be detrimental to your brand reputation.

Sample Testing

Before placing a bulk order for pet food, ask the manufacturer for a product sample to ascertain the quality.

A manufacturer that is sure of its product’s quality will agree to send samples for product testing. Ensure you can carry out quality control measures to ensure they are safe for the animals.

Quality control testing could include Chemical analysis, microbiological testing, and nutritional analysis to evaluate the nutritional content.

Active Customer Support

Another factor to consider when choosing a pet food manufacturer is their customer support system.

Manufacturer customer support will come in handy when there are issues with product and delivery. Good customer service is more likely to attend to your query and solve any issues.

7. Top 10 Chinese Pet Food Manufacturers in 2025

7.1 Mars Petcare China

Mars Petcare is a global corporation with a local Chinese factory that started production in Tianjin, China.

Mars’ 110,000-square-meter China facility is the globe’s largest and most sophisticated pet food manufacturing factory with a yearly production capacity of approximately 250,000 tons.

The Tianjin facility has expertise in research, development, and production of enhanced quality wet and dry dog and cat food.

Mar Petcare, China is a high-quality canned pet food business with strict compliance with international standards.

7.2 Nestlé Purina China

Nestlé Purina PetCare is a subsidiary of Nestlé with global reach, with bases of production in China.

Nestlé Purina manufactures dry and wet pet food lines including domestic specialty pet diets like grain-free and organic lines.

7.3 Wanpy (Shandong) Pet Food Co.

Wanpy (Shandong) Pet Food is an OEM located in China. They are a global brand with a wide range of treats, biscuits, dental chew, wet, dry, and freeze-dried foods.

Wanpy (Shandong) Pet Food supports OEM & private-label partnerships with a presence in over 60 countries and regions.

7.4 Yantai China Pet Foods Co

Yantai China Pet Foods has one of the most advanced R&D bases in China focused on the latest product R&D, pet nutrition, and health science.

It owns world-class freeze-drying plant facilities and is China’s largest export base of freeze-dried and functional pet food.

7.5 Shanghai Dogness Pet Products

Shanghai Dogness Pet Products is another pet food manufacturer that offers customizable private-label solutions for global brands.

The company additionally owns the world’s top pet smart technology brand and is the creator of the “PetSmart Ecosystem”.

7.6 Tianjin Jinhao Pet Products

Tianjin Jinhao Pet Products owns a processing and production factory with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons.

It manufactures high-protein pet food such as dry food for hamsters, rabbits, cats, dogs, and other small pets.

7.7 Hangzhou Better Technology Co

Another well-known pet food manufacturer in China is Hangzhou Better Technology Co. The majority of their products are high-end, organic, and veterinarian-recommended pet formulations.

Their ingredients are mostly from certified organic farms without additives.

7.8 Guangzhou Chunky Pet Food Co.

Guangzhou Chunky Pet Food Co. specializes in the import and export of pet items.

They manufacture pet food, pet biscuits, Innovative pet textures (jerky, dental chews), sustainable packaging, dog houses, and more.

Guangzhou Chunky Pet Food Co. offers OEM, delivery, and after-sales services while developing new items and processing products according to your brand-specific requirements.

7.9 Petkit (Shenzhen) Pet Food Division

Petkit (Shenzhen) Pet Food Division is a high-tech firm that specializes in designing and manufacturing smart pet products.

They are also involved in the production of tech-driven functional foods, probiotics, and joint health.

7.10 Dongguan FurryFriend Pet Supplies

Dongguan FurryFriend Pet Supplies is another private-label pet food manufacturer that specializes in exotic pets.

Dongguan FurryFriend Pet Supplies supports Small-batch OEM production for niche markets such as bird or fish food specials.

8. How to Launch Your Private Label Pet Food Line

Market research

The first step to creating your private-label pet food brand should be conducting market research.

Conducting market research will put your company in front of the right people at the right time. Start by defining your target market—whether the cat owners, dog owners, or other small pet owners.

Also, determine the range and types of pet food you want your brand to be associated with.

For instance, you can consider going organic pet food which is one of the best-selling in the market. You may also want to research the type of packaging for your products.

Performing extensive market research will help you understand the business and make the startup process seamless.

Choose a Private Label Pet Food Manufacturing Company

Production is almost impossible without the help of an OEM or private-label pet food production company.

When starting your pet food business, choose a credible and reliable private-label pet food production company.

Make sure that the private label or OEM adheres strictly to local and international standards and regulations during the production process.

Check if they hold necessary certifications like ISO certifications to ascertain transparency and product integrity.

Also, GMP certification ensures standards and conditions are met to guarantee food safety at every stage of manufacturing.

Also, ensure that the manufacturer adheres strictly to FDA and EU regulations if you sell in the US and European markets.

Develop Formula

Work with the R&D team of the OEM or private label pet food manufacturer to develop the perfect pet food formulation.

When developing formulas, keep in mind your target audience to create the right pet food products. However, you don’t necessarily need to create your products from scratch.

You can develop your brands by using the premade pet feed formulation of your preferred private-label company.

All you just need to do is rebrand the pet food products and start selling them as your products.

Design Packaging

Packaging is another essential part you need to create your pet food brand.

Packaging is important for making pet food safe and secure for delivery but good for creating brand awareness.

Work with the R&D team to come up with packaging design, logo, and labels with product details.

Request Samples

Before placing a bulk order for pet food, ask the manufacturer for a product sample to ascertain the quality.

Conduct quality control measures to ensure that the pet food items are safe for the animals.

Quality control testing could include Chemical analysis, microbiological testing, and nutritional analysis to evaluate the nutritional content.

Order and Launch Your product

After ascertaining the product quality, the next step is to place a bulk order and start selling your pet food products.

To increase brand awareness and consumer engagement, develop a marketing and promotion strategy.

This might involve social media marketing, pet show exhibitors, online and offline advertising, etc.

9. Future Trends: Customized Nutrition & AI-Driven Production

As technology and AI evolve, pet food production will also receive a significant boost. Some of the future trends to watch out for in pet food production are as follows.

Personalized Pet Diets

Most pet owners look for personalized pet food products for their beloved pets. Fortunately, big pet food technology companies look for ways to develop personalized pet diets for specific animals or breeds.

Personalized pet foods personalize diets to the individual nutritional needs of each pet based on such factors as age, breed, weight, activity level, and health status.

This specificity indicates that pets get the exact amount of nutrients required to live healthy, strong, and long lives.

Maybe with time, we will hear more about tailored formulations just for individual animals.

AI-Driven Production

Every aspect of manufacturing is being impacted by artificial intelligence, and pet food is no exception.

AI is helping in formulating product ingredients that may assist in eradicating overutilization of raw materials without affecting the product’s quality.

AI robots are also being used more and more to streamline operations by reducing labor costs and improving accuracy in inventory management and packing.

Tailored dietary suggestions for dogs based on DNA testing are achievable with AI-powered data analysis.

The manufacturers can cater to the nutritional needs of each pet more precisely with this level of accuracy.

Eco-Friendly Ingredients and Packaging

Most environmentally conscious pet owners are opting for sustainable pet food.

Thus, we may witness sustainable formulae and environment-friendly packaging material being manufactured in the future

10. Conclusion

Partnering with a Chinese Pet Food producer is a no-brainer as it guarantees better formulation, product scalability, innovation, and compliance.

However, ensure you work with certified suppliers to leverage cost-effective OEM or private-label options that meet global demand.

Start your B2B journey today and take control of the competitive pet food market.