1. Introduction

The variety of pet food products on the market has grown rapidly—from dry kibble and wet food to premium raw and human-grade options. Formulas, nutritional profiles, and brands have also become increasingly diverse.

Choosing the right food is closely linked to a pet’s overall health, body condition, immunity, and longevity.
For pet supplies wholesalers, pet food brands, start-ups, and pet product suppliers, understanding different categories of food and the key selection criteria can help build a more competitive product line.

This article provides a clear and structured guide to:

• What types of pet food are available?

• How to choose the most suitable formula for your pet?

• Common mistakes when purchasing pet food

• Want to create your own pet food? Should you produce in-house or work with a professional OEM/ODM manufacturer?

2. What Types of Pet Food Are There?

1. Dry Food

• Most common and easy to store

• Stable pricing; suitable for bulk purchasing

• Helps with chewing exercise and dental health

2. Wet Food

• High moisture content with excellent palatability

• Suitable for picky eaters, senior pets, or pets with dental issues

• Higher cost and stricter storage requirements

3. Raw / Freeze-Dried / Air-Dried Food

• Nutrient ratios closer to a natural diet

• Freeze-drying or air-drying preserves nutrients

• Higher price point and stricter raw material standards

• Ideal for owners seeking premium nutrition

Each category has its own market demand—the key is choosing the option that fits the pet’s needs and the owner's budget.

3. How to Choose High-Quality Pet Food?

1. Choose Based on Pet Conditions (Age, Breed, Weight, Health Status)

• Puppy/Kitten: Higher protein and energy requirements

• Adult: Focus on maintaining healthy body condition

• Senior: Requires joint-care nutrients and lighter formulas

• Special breeds such as large-breed dogs, small-breed dogs, or long-haired cats also require dedicated formulas

2. Read the Ingredient List and Nutrition Labels

• Cat food: Animal protein content, taurine, Omega-3

• Dog food: Balanced protein, fat, and fiber levels

• Small pets (e.g., guinea pigs): Require additional Vitamin C

• Avoid unspecified meat meals, excessive fillers, artificial colors, and artificial flavors

3. Select Certified and Reliable Suppliers

Check for certifications such as SGS, ISO, HACCP, FDA, AAFCO.
Choose brands with transparent ingredient sourcing and clear labeling.

For B2B buyers, additional considerations include:
supply stability, production capacity, MOQ, lead time, and quality control.

4. Common Mistakes When Choosing Pet Food

1. Not Adjusting Food According to Age

Examples:

• Puppies eating adult formulas

• Adult cats eating kitten formulas

Both may cause nutritional imbalance.

2. Not Changing Diet After Illness

Examples:

• Kidney disease → low-phosphorus, low-protein diets

• Sensitive digestion → highly digestible formulas

• Obesity → weight-management formulas

3. Blindly Choosing Expensive or “Good-Looking” Ingredient Lists

A good food is one that is nutritionally balanced and suitable for the pet’s individual needs, not necessarily the most expensive.

4. Only Looking at the Brand Without Checking Raw Materials or Manufacturing

Key questions:
Is the factory self-owned? OEM? Traceable?
These matter far more than packaging.

5. Should You Produce Pet Food Yourself or Use OEM/ODM?

For pet food brands, distributors, and entrepreneurs, the common question is:

Should we manufacture in-house or outsource to a professional OEM/ODM?

Below is a comparison:

Advantages of In-House Production

• Full control over formulas, costs, and processes

• High flexibility; easy to test products in small batches

Disadvantages of In-House Production

• Extremely high setup costs (equipment, drying, sterilization, QC)

• Food safety risks must be borne internally

• Requires nutritionists, veterinarians, R&D and QA teams

• Without large-scale production, unit cost becomes higher

Advantages of OEM/ODM

• No need for heavy capital investment

• Ready-made formulas available

• Professional support on regulations, formulations, and quality control

• Ideal for new brands or companies aiming for fast market entry

Disadvantages of OEM/ODM

• MOQ varies by factory

• Custom formulations require additional time and quantity

How to Decide? Ask Yourself These Questions:

1. Does my brand require a high level of customization?

2. Do I have the capability to manage regulations, testing, and food-safety risks?

3. How quickly do I want the product to launch?

If unsure, it is recommended to start with OEM to test the market, then consider investing in your own facility later.

6. Conclusion: Why Choose Acepet?

Whether you are a pet food brand, a new start-up, or planning to launch your private label, choosing the right manufacturing partner determines product success.

As one of Taiwan’s leading pet supplies wholesalers, pet supplies factories, and OEM pet product suppliers,
Acepet offers the following advantages:

• Over 80 years of brand history

• Hundreds of patents and 600+ in-house products

• Fully owned factories with stable quality and complete equipment

• One-stop support for OEM/ODM, product design, mold development, and packaging

• Extensive experience working with international brands (US, EU, Japan, Southeast Asia)