Pet Food
Storage
Recommendations
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Dry Pet Food
Storage
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| DO'S |
DON'TS |
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Feed opened
dry dog food for a maximum of
six weeks only.
"Use By" (or "Best Used
By", etc.) dates apply to sealed bags only.
After six weeks, the
nutritional value of the dog food is substantially lower than when the
bag is first opened.
To help you keep track,
date the bag of dog food with a marker when you open it, and throw out
any kibble remaining after six weeks.
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Never buy
dog food with harmful artificial
preservatives.
Dog food with artificial
preservatives generally has a longer shelf life than kibble. However,
the risks of these harmful chemicals far outweigh any benefits.
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| Always store dog food in its
original
bag. Place the whole bag into airtight pet food storage
containers.
1) The packaging helps protect the
kibble from oxygen and humidity.
The
premium dog food companies also use better quality packaging, including
the use of oxygen barrier bags made of petroleum products. This
packaging, in particular, is very effective at keeping out oxygen and
moisture.
After feeding your puppy, squeeze as much
air out of the bag as possible, re-seal it, or fold the top over very
tightly and apply a clip.
2) The original bag of dog food contains the barcode, batch
code, and expiration date. This identifies the particular batch of food
you're feeding your pooch. It is very important information to have in
the event of a dog food recall, or if you suspect any problems with the
food.
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Do not pour kibble directly into
dog food
containers.
This is a very common, but dangerous
dog food storage practice!
1)
Residual fats and oils that settle at the bottom and sides of the pet
food storage bin can become rancid and contaminate fresh new
food.
2) Harmful chemicals from plastic
pet food containers can seep into the dog food.
3) This increases the risk of
storage mites, mold growth, and bacterial contamination, leading to
food poisoning, vomiting and/or bad diarrhea.
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*** Recommended ***
AIRTIGHT Pet
Food Storage Containers
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See here for a wide
selection of:
Glass and metal are both extremely
effective
oxygen
and
humidity barriers.
Attractive too!
This 60L
Stainless Steel Pet Food Bin is great. It holds most 55lb bags of dog food. It
is completely airtight and features a hands-free step-on
pedal for easy access when filling your doggie's bowl.
Another choice for large bags of dog food is this 69
Quart Plastic Airtight Pet Food Container  . This plastic dog food storage
bin can
store a 50lb bag of dog food.
Additionally, its lid flips wide open for easy scooping, and it has
four wheels making it easy to move around.
Airtight SOFT Pet Food
Storage Containers
are a great option if you're
traveling
with your dog, or are short on space. Features include a patented
dual-gasket sealing system, and collapsible soft-sided bag.
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| Store dry kibble in a cool, dry
place, such
as a pantry.
Ideally, dry dog food should be stored at a
temperature of less than 70 degrees F, and at less than 15% humidity.
Avoid storing dry dog food in fluctuating
temperatures as this causes condensation, i.e. moisture!
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Never store open bags of dry dog
food for
lengthy periods in warm, humid areas, or in sunlight.
Heat and moisture promote the growth of
mold and cause fats to go rancid.
If the bag of dog food does come into
contact with water - for instance, a wet kitchen floor or leaking
basement - Discard it!
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| Be cautious when storing dry dog
food in the
freezer.
The freezer can add moisture to the food.
Kitchen vacuum sealers are ideal for
preventing the kibble from moisture exposure.
If you don't have one, you can store small
batches of kibble in zip lock bags or small airtight food containers.
Take out only enough to last your dog a few days.
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Do not feed pet food that has
discolored or
does not smell right.
Return it to the store you purchased it
from, and/or contact the dog food manufacturer providing details of the
bar and batch code, and expiration date.
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| Wash
all pet food containers frequently.
Old rancid kibble can contaminate fresh, new
kibble.
Use a gentle detergent and very hot water.
Ensure you dry all dog food storage bins completely before refilling.
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Never ever purchase kibble or dog
treats
from open food bins at bulk food stores!
This is really playing with fire!
Not only do you not know what you're really
buying, but there's the increased risk of mold and bacterial
contamination, diminished nutrients, bugs, etc, etc.
Don't do it!
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| Preferably, choose glass or
stainless steel dog food
bins over plastic containers.
Glass and
metal pet food bins are very effective oxygen
and
humidity barriers.
Plastic pet food storage containers are not
as effective as, over time, oxygen seeps through the polyethylene walls
of the storage bins.
Small metal or glass dog food containers are perfect for storing
smaller bags of dog food and dog treats.
Many of the premium dog food companies use
quality zip lock bags for
their dog treats. Keep the treats in the bag, and put the original bag
into the jar. Always use airtight pet food containers and apply the
same storage principles to dog treats as kibble.
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Avoid buying unopened dog food in
bulk
unless you absolutely have to.
If you have to buy bulk dog food (e.g. For
cost savings or lack of local access to premium dog food brands), be
sure to store the bags in airtight pet food storage
containers.
Unopened
dry dog food can last from four months to three years
(depending on the pet food manufacturer, the brand, the formula, and
whether artificial or natural preservatives are used).
The average shelf life for unopened dog food
containing natural preservatives is approximately one year.
If the bag has never been opened and is in
good condition, it acts as a protective barrier. Not enough oxygen and
moisture can penetrate the closed bag in a year, to cause significant
oxidation or microbial growth concerns.
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| Place small amounts of kibble at
a time in
pet food dispensers.
Dog food dispensers can be very convenient.
However, if not used properly they can also pose serious health risks
for your dog or puppy.
Don't let kibble sit in the dog food
dispenser for lengthy periods, and avoid contamination by not adding
fresh kibble on top of older kibble.
Wash dispensers frequently in very hot water!
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Avoid exposure to storage mites
and other
pests.
Dogs with allergies are frequently allergic
to storage mites.
Storage mites commonly thrive in the grains
in dry dog foods.
One
of the most common storage mites, "Tyrophagus Putrescentiae", a mold
mite, usually goes unnoticed unless you have an infestation. These mold
mites develop where there is moisture and/or high humidity.
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Canned Pet
Food Storage
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| DO'S |
DON'TS |
| Store opened canned dog food in
the
refrigerator for a maximum of three days.
Transfer leftover wet food into airtight pet
food containers before putting in the refrigerator. Discard whatever is
left after three days.
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Do not feed wet dog food that
looks or
smells bad.
Return it to the store you purchased it
from, and/or contact the dog food manufacturer providing details of the
bar and batch code, and expiration date.
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| It
is perfectly safe to freeze leftover wet dog food in airtight pet food
storage containers.
This is a perfect solution if you have a
small puppy or dog, or are using a recipe "intended for supplemental
feeding only".
Freeze small amounts, to last for a maximum
of three days in the refrigerator. Use small airtight dog
food storage containers.
Ice cube trays work well too. Place the
entire tray into a flat airtight container, and store the container in
the freezer.
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Do not leave the food in the open
can, or
re-use empty cans to store dog food.
When canned food has been exposed to oxygen,
it causes a chemical reaction and the tin or aluminum from the can, may
transfer into the can's contents.
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| Store unopened canned dog food in
a cool
environment, and use before expiry date.
Canned foods are protected from oxidation by
the airtight storage method and, purportedly, can remain edible for
extremely long periods of time. i.e. Years and years and years!
However, playing it safe, we recommend you
follow the pet food manufacturer's Best By date.
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Do not feed food from damaged,
dented, or
bulging cans.
Damaged or dented food cans can have leaking
seals which allow microoganisms to enter the product, making it unsafe
to eat.
A bulging can is a sign of contaminated food.
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