Based in Rizhao, Shandong Province, the heart of China’s agricultural processing and supply infrastructure, GAGA Pet Food Co., Ltd. stands as a benchmark manufacturer specializing in premium freeze-dried pet food. Underpinned by more than a decade of research, development, and high-capacity manufacturing, our company is dedicated to scaling private label and bulk supply solutions for brands around the globe.
The international pet food sector is undergoing a profound structural shift. Modern pet owners no longer view pets simply as companions; they treat them as family members, demanding the same nutritional standards they would apply to themselves. This consumer trend has driven massive demand for freeze-dried formulations that preserve the biological structures, heat-sensitive vitamins, essential enzymes, and raw aroma of premium proteins.
At GAGA Pet Food, we do not operate a commercial consumer-facing brand. We focus 100% of our capacity on offering neutral, secure, and highly confidential OEM and ODM services. By completely separating our operations from direct market competition, we ensure our partners' brand equity, formulations, and proprietary market opportunities are fully protected.
Freeze-drying, or lyophilization, is the gold standard for preserving organic food matrices. By transitioning moisture directly from solid ice to vapor via sublimation, we bypass the destructive liquid phase that degrades proteins, causes oxidation, and strips critical nutrients in traditional high-heat kibble extrusion.
We flash-freeze raw meats down to temperatures between -35°C and -45°C. This ultra-fast process prevents the formation of large, destructive ice crystals, ensuring the meat's cellular walls stay intact and preserve natural texture upon rehydration.
By lowering the atmospheric pressure inside our chamber below the triple point of water, ice sublimates directly into gaseous vapor. This removes 97% to 99% of total moisture while avoiding thermal degradation of native vitamins.
Our raw finished products consistently exhibit a water activity index (aw) of less than 0.6. This effectively arrests the growth of spoilage molds and pathogenic microorganisms, achieving a natural shelf life of up to 18-24 months without any chemical preservatives.
Shandong Province is recognized as one of the largest hubs for agriculture, animal husbandry, and ocean fisheries in Asia. Operating from Rizhao allows GAGA Pet Food to tap into an integrated, localized supply chain.
This proximity brings distinct operational advantages:
| Customization Dimension | Available Options & Technical Scope | Target Species & Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Formula Classifications | Single-ingredient pure meat, compound functional meats, grain-free formulas, botanically-enriched protein patties, raw-diet ratios (meat/bone/organ). | Felines (Cats), Canines (Dogs), Small Mammals (Hamsters, Rabbits), and Exotic Pets. |
| Physical Shapes & Formats | Cubes (6mm to 15mm), round patties, mini discs, raw-meat sticks, whole prey items (quail), crumbled powders, custom geometric shapes. | High-value training rewards, complete meals, kibble mixers, wet food rehydration toppers. |
| Functional Enhancements | Goat milk integration, active probiotics, prebiotic dietary fiber (pumpkin/spinach), joint supports (glucosamine/chondroitin), skin & coat nutrients (omega-3 fatty acids). | Targeted age groups: Weaning puppies/kittens, lactating mothers, senior pets with digestive/dental sensitivity. |
| Bulk & Brand Packaging | High-barrier stand-up pouches, zipper barrier bags, nitrogen-flushed jars, individual unit blisters, bulk corrugated cartons with heat-sealed PE liners. | E-commerce retail, boutique brands, veterinary clinics, large wholesale distributors. |
We work closely with your product teams to define exact specifications, nutritional targets, target cost structures, and specific import requirements for your target region.
Our experienced R&D team drafts custom formulations. We carefully source raw ingredients and balance active nutrients to meet AAFCO or FEDIAF nutritional profiles.
We run trial batches on our pilot freeze-drying lines, producing precise physical samples within 10 days for your team to test for palatability, appearance, and physical integrity.
We connect you with qualified packaging material partners to supply oxygen-barrier foils, zip bags, or recyclable structures, ensuring your product remains crisp and dry.
Once formula and packaging are locked in, your order goes to our automated primary and secondary freeze-dry chambers. This is managed by highly experienced personnel under strict sanitation protocols.
Every single batch undergoes testing for key safety indicators (such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, moisture levels, and ash content) in our in-house lab, backed by third-party certifications.
Our team handles export documentation, health certificates, and customs clearance procedures, ensuring your container arrives smoothly at your designated port.
Navigating global import regulations for animal-derived products requires an experienced partner who understands the details. At GAGA Pet Food, our facility is engineered to meet strict international standards, allowing our products to enter markets with high entry barriers.
FDA Registration: Our manufacturing plant and processes comply with FDA regulations, ensuring smooth importation into the United States.
HACCP & ISO Standards: We operate under a certified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and an ISO 9001 quality management structure. This includes complete product traceability, from raw farm receipt to the shipping container.
Export Certifications: We hold certifications for key markets including the EU, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. We supply all required veterinary health documentation and origin certificates, minimizing compliance risk at port entry.
Every protein supplier must submit quarantine certificates. All meats are tested for antibiotic residues and heavy metals.
Freeze-drying time and core temperatures are continuously tracked to ensure the sublimation process runs perfectly.
Every batch must pass microbial tests (Salmonella negative, Enterobacteriaceae limits) and water activity checks before being approved for release.
Many brands use our freeze-dried cubes as mixers in premium dry kibble. This introduces high-quality raw nutrition to conventional diets, allowing brands to command higher price points.
Our freeze-dried cakes and patties are designed for quick rehydration. Adding warm water turns them back into fresh, soft raw food in seconds—perfect for senior pets or those with sensitive teeth.
The natural aroma of freeze-dried proteins is highly appealing to dogs and cats. Brands market our raw freeze-dried cubes as clean-label, single-ingredient rewards for training.
As the pet care industry matures, several structural shifts are defining the next generation of products:
Our freeze-dried pet products have a shelf life of 18 to 24 months. By maintaining moisture content below 3% and water activity (aw) under 0.6, the product remains stable at room temperature. For maximum shelf life, we recommend packaging in light-blocking, high-barrier bags with nitrogen flushing or oxygen absorbers.
Yes. All raw meats, fish, and produce are sourced from accredited farms and fisheries that are approved for human food production. We verify that no growth hormones, synthetic chemicals, or diseased meats enter our processing system.
Absolutely. We specialize in custom OEM and ODM development. Our R&D team can design custom recipes blending meats, offal, vegetables, fruits, and functional additives (like probiotics, digestive enzymes, or joint supplements). We can also adjust the physical shape and size to meet your requirements.
Safety is built into our process. We use fresh raw materials with low initial microbial loads. During production, we manage temperature and moisture parameters strictly. Every production run undergoes rigorous microbiological clearance testing in our internal lab, and we can provide third-party analysis certificates for each shipment.
Our MOQs vary depending on the product type and customization requirements. For standard catalog products, we offer flexible starting MOQs. For fully custom formulations or custom packaging runs, MOQ requirements are typically higher to cover production line set-up. Please contact our sales team to discuss details.
GAGA
