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Finding a food that’s both healthy and tasty for your dog is just half the battle—it’s important to know how to store it too. While dry food should be stored in closed containers and can last a long time, wet food may need to be stored in the fridge and only can be stored for a short amount of time.
Whether you’re one of the 37.7% of pet owners who feed their dog kibble, the 35.3% who mix wet and dry, or someone who relies exclusively on a blend of wet and fresh food, keeping the food fresh and optimal is the key.
How To Store Dog Food – 5 Tips for Storing Dry Dog Food
1. Tightly Seal The Dog Food Bag
You might be wondering if it’s so bad to just leave pet food in the bag and put it away in a closet somewhere.
The answer is no, it’s not, but that comes with the caveat that the bag must be tightly sealed. If it’s left open, the food can go stale, which isn’t particularly appetizing for your dog. This is especially a problem if it’s put somewhere warm and damp.
Some dog food comes in resealable bags. If yours does, make sure to seal the bag properly and leave no gaps so that air can’t get in every time you use it.
If your dog food brand doesn’t come in a resealable bag, you can buy a clip to hold the opening together as tightly as possible—but it still may be best to use an airtight container, as there’s less room for error.
2. Use Dog Food Storage Containers
A more secure and reliable way to store pet food is to buy a dog food storage container. You can find these in a variety of places, from Chewy to regular pet stores.
I personally use a metal canister to store my dog’s food and it works great. Because I buy his food in a bulk bag, I pour half of the food from the bag into a container that is easily accessible in the kitchen and leave the other half sealed in the bag.
Make sure to choose a container that will fit enough food so you don’t have to keep refilling. For large dogs who eat more food, a larger storage container is best.
3. Store in a Cool, Dry Place (Away from Your Dog!)
It’s also important to make sure the pet food is stored in a cool, dry place. It’s a common misconception that kibble doesn’t go bad—it does. Some experts recommend using opened dog food within a couple of weeks if you’re just leaving the bag open, which is why a container and a cool, dry place away from heat can slow this down.
You should also make sure this place is secured from your dog, who might otherwise have a feast! Storing pet food securely is as important as making sure it doesn’t go stale, particularly if you have a food motivated dog with a knack for sniffing out their next binge!
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4. Check for Expiration dates
While the above is a general recommendation for how long kibble tends to be good for, always check the bag for expiration dates.
Some foods may expire sooner than others. Make a note of this if you pour it into a dog food container and throw the bag away, because no storage will make food that’s due to go off last longer.
5. Keep Storage Containers Clean
Make sure to keep your storage containers clean, washing them between each use. Food particles might otherwise remain in them and go bad, causing an unpleasant experience for your dog. Expired dog food can and will make them sick.
It’s usually not good enough to rinse them out with water. Instead, make sure to use dish soap and thoroughly scrub and rinse it all away before putting more food into the container.
How to Store Wet Dog Food After Opening
Wet food is very different from dry food, as it’s much less hardy once it’s been exposed to the elements.
Hill’s, a reputable dog food brand, recommends canned food is stored for no more than four hours at room temperature and no more than five to seven days in the fridge between 40-45°F.
They also recommend that wet food isn’t frozen, as it changes the texture. While freezing and defrosting wet food may not harm your pet, it could put them off their food or even make it more difficult to eat.
While this is just Hill’s, since they make both standard and prescription canned dog food, this is a good guideline to follow in general.
Just like dry food, you can store the wet pet food in a container. You can transfer it to a plastic container or buy a lid for cans often sold in pet stores that will seal the can, allowing you to place it directly in the fridge.
Do not place the can on its own in the fridge without using a can cover, as despite the fridge’s temperature, this can still cause bacteria to get in and will also cause the food to dry out—lessening its hydration properties.
Some dogs, like seniors, may also have sensitive teeth so if your dog doesn’t seem to be a fan of cold food, microwave it for 10 seconds after removing it from the fridge. This will help encourage them to eat by bringing the food back up to room temperature.
How to Store Dog Food from Fresh Dog Food Delivery Services
Recently, fresh dog food has risen in popularity. It’s generally customized, fresh, often human-grade pet food for your dog that companies like The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie Food portion out and deliver right to your door.
While this has many advantages, like tasty food that’s of the best quality, it can’t be stored as long as kibble which is the obvious disadvantage. It’s important to listen to each company’s instructions.
Ollie Food, for example, says their food is good for up to 6 months in the freezer or 4 days in the fridge.
Raw food, however, is a completely different subject and requires a lot of research before dipping into how to feed your dog, what to feed them, and how to store the food.
Final Thoughts
Whether you feed your dog kibble, wet food, fresh food, or a mix, storing dog food properly is the key to keeping them healthy and happy. Don’t let kibble grow stale or wet food grow bacteria—instead, follow proper storage instructions and make the food last as long as possible.
FAQs
Is it OK to Store Dog Food in a Plastic Container?
Plastic containers are very safe to store both wet and dry dog food in—however, you should make sure you clean the container between uses. This stops old food particles from growing bacteria and accidentally getting mixed in with a new batch of food.
How to Store Homemade Dog Food
Although it will depend on the ingredients, homemade dog food should be stored similarly to fresh dog food. It’s usually not good to leave homemade dog food out for more than a couple of hours, and it should be good for a few days in the fridge.
How Long Can Moistened Dry Dog Food Sit Out?
If you rehydrate your dog’s kibble with water, you should treat it like wet dog food. This means throwing it away after it’s been sitting out for a couple of hours if your dog hasn’t eaten it yet.
