Pet treats might feel like small indulgences… a reward here, a tail wag there. But they can also carry environmental implications. In fact, the US Pet Treat Market size is expected to grow to 17.89 billion USD by 2030. As pet parents ask more questions about sourcing and impact and the industry explores more sustainable ways of doing things, even our tiniest choices (like snacks) are worth a second look.
One example comes from Pawco and their Magic Bars: They’re bite-sized, functional, and plant-based. But they’re also demonstrating reductions in resource use, and offering some takeaways for brands and retailers that want to do the same.
Rethinking Ingredients
We’ve known for a while that traditional meat-based pet food can come with a hefty environmental footprint. One 2023 analysis estimated that replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land. From greenhouse gas emissions to water use and deforestation, the impact adds up fast, especially when you consider the number of pets we’re feeding globally.
Treats might only make up a small part of the diet, but they’re still a meaningful part of the equation. Choosing better ingredients can make a real difference without asking anyone to give up the fun of treat time.
Nutrition: Form Meets Function
It’s a compact, peanut butter-based dog treat made for supplemental use, meaning it’s not a meal, but a health-supporting snack. Each bar is packed with sweet potato, flaxseed, chicory root, and of course, peanut butter. From there, the formulas branch out:
- Gut Health includes yeast fermentate for gut support
- Heart Health adds taurine, a nutrient important for cardiac function
- Hip & Joint features Omega-3s from marine microalgae oil
- Skin & Coat combines Omegas with fiber-rich superfoods for shine and hydration
These bars are intended for intermittent feeding only, not a substitute for a balanced meal, but a smart little bonus in the daily bowl.
Calculating Impact: Real Results, Not Just Good Intentions
As sustainability claims become more common across the pet industry, measuring and communicating real impact is increasingly important. Pawco continuously calculates their impact on the environment and shares some eye-opening data about their plant-based products and processes. The company estimates the environmental impact avoided from their shift away from conventional meat ingredients has contributed to:
- 542 million liters of water saved
- 1,805 metric tons of CO₂ emissions reduced
- 4,225 livestock lives spared
These figures are calculated based on internal analysis and available to the public here: How Pawco Calculates their Impact
For companies across the pet industry, measuring and reporting environmental impact is becoming an important part of building trust with retailers and consumers.
Pawco is also accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition, which assesses and tracks businesses sustainability performance across key areas, including ingredients, packaging, and carbon emissions, helping ensure that progress is grounded in real data rather than good intentions alone.
Packaging Considerations
The bars are individually wrapped and packaged in an outer carton. Single-serve formats like this are common in pet treats and supplements, helping maintain freshness, support portion control, and make on-the-go feeding cleaner and easier for pet parents.
Packaging choices in pet products often reflect a balance between product protection, convenience, and material use. In this case, the outer carton and shipping materials are recyclable or made from recycled content. In Pawco’s broader product lineup, they’ve explored packaging approaches such as reusable ice packs and meal cups made from recycled paper materials for its fresh meal products.
Like many packaging choices in the pet industry, formats can vary depending on the product type and how it is stored, transported, and used.
What Retailers Can Take Away
Products like Pawco’s Magic Bars highlight several useful lessons for brands and retailers exploring lower-impact product development:
- Ingredients Matter
In pet food and treats, ingredients often account for the largest share of a product’s environmental footprint. Retailers evaluating lower-impact products may want to look at how brands are approaching ingredient sourcing, including the use of plant-forward formulations or alternative nutrient sources. - Clarity Builds Consumer Trust
Today’s shoppers are curious and informed, and they appreciate straight talk. Sharing real data and clearly labeling the “why” behind ingredient or packaging choices goes a long way toward building loyalty and standing out on crowded shelves. - Packaging Is Part of the Product
How a product is wrapped (and shipped) is no longer an afterthought. Recyclable and recycled materials matter, and younger consumers, in particular, are paying attention. Smart packaging choices can be a differentiator as much as any nutrient panel.
The Bottom Line: Small Can Be Mighty
Magic Bars may be small, but they illustrate how small product changes can add up, both nutritionally and environmentally. And while they’re just one example, they show how even little innovations in formulation or delivery format can ladder up to something much bigger.
Whether you’re stocking your shelves, advising clients, or planning your next product launch, it’s worth asking: what if the smallest things we make could have the biggest impact?
About the Pet Sustainability Coalition
The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that advances business in the pet industry through collaboration, education, and innovation. Founded in 2013 by eight companies, PSC now serves more than 200 member companies across the pet industry, helping them to progress on their sustainability practices, set and strive for ambitious goals, and report on their achievements. Additionally, PSC leads retailers, distributors, manufacturers, brands, and suppliers in pursuing collaborative solutions to some of the largest industry-wide issues, such as sustainable packaging and protein sourcing. Connect with them on LinkedIn and YouTube. Learn more at www.petsustainability.org.
This article was written in collaboration with Pawco Foods. As a convener of diverse perspectives in the pet industry, PSC shares member news and achievements to foster dialogue and progress. Content does not necessarily reflect PSC’s official positions.