“Dogs are known for their picky palette. I mean, your dog probably thinks a month-old chicken leg on the sidewalk is a perfectly acceptable snack. That’s why they rely on you to provide fresh, balanced meals every day to stay healthy.” Dog food While you may be nutritious for your pup, you should still learn how to store it properly so you can maintain its nutritional value. Not only is properly stored dog food better for your pup, but improperly stored dog food can degrade and quickly become acidic, which can make your dog sick. He is an associate veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in Alexandria, Virginia, and hosts “Dr. Katy’s Pet Show” on News Channel 8 in Washington, D.C. Learn how to keep your dog’s food fresh for as long as possible.
Dry dog food storage is easy to store and feed, but like all types of pet food, it is perishable. A bag of dry dog food has a “best by” date printed on it to let you know how long you can keep it. However, many dog owners don’t realize that once the bag is opened, this date becomes inaccurate. As a rule of thumb, Dr. Nelson recommends that pet parents use dog food within a month of opening it if it has been properly stored. Once you open a bag of dog food, its freshness is exposed to the elements. Three factors that affect the nutritional value and quality of dog food once it’s open are air, moisture and heat. To help combat these forces, here are some tips on storing dry dog food. Storing Dog Food in Sealed Packages It is recommended that you seal your dog food because it minimizes contact with air, which can contaminate your dog food. To seal your dog food bag, you can roll down the sides and use a bag clip, like this cute bone shaped dog clip, to close up the bag. For extra protection. Airtight dog food storage containers Dr. Nelson says, “Dry dog food is squeezed out and then sprayed with oil to begin with, and once the food is exposed to air, the oil goes rancid.” “That’s why coarse grinds need to be kept in an airtight container.” For the type of dog food container you should use, Dr. Nelson says, “As long as they are airtight, plastic or stainless steel containers are fine for storing coarse ground food.” Pet Supplies offers a variety of sizes of plastic pet food storage containers, from 5-pound storage containers to 50-pound storage containers. I prefer stainless steel because it’s easier to clean and lasts longer. “One stainless steel dog food container option is the Harry Barker Classic Dog Food Storage Canister. It is designed with an air-tight food-sealing vacuum-lock lid to ensure freshness and is made of steel for easy cleaning. It’s best to keep dog food in its original packaging Dr. Nelson says you should store the entire bag of dog food in an airtight dog food storage container. This way, the bag provides an additional barrier that helps seal in fats and oils, preventing them from becoming rancid later. According to the FDA, keeping dog food in the original bag also ensures that pet parents have access to UPC codes, lot numbers, “best by” dates and brand and manufacturer information in case of problems, such as defects or recalls. You may need all of this information when you have a complaint about your dog’s food. Keep dog food containers clean Many dog owners simply refill the dog food storage container with a fresh bag of dog food as it starts to get low, but Dr. Nielsen says this is a bad idea. Dr. Nielsen says, “You wouldn’t store leftover pasta in a plastic container and then reuse it to make the salad work without washing it.” “Be sure to rinse the container between refills. Oil from coarsely ground foods tends to make containers greasy, and then you can contaminate fresh foods with rancid oil from old packets. “Dr. Nelson recommends thoroughly cleaning stainless steel or plastic dog food storage containers with hot soapy water or white vinegar. Then, rinse and dry completely before refilling. Excess moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow on food. A cool, dry place is ideal To maintain the nutritional quality and shelf life of dry dog food, it is important to store the food and its container in a cool, dry place. Moisture can cause mold and mildew, which can make your pet sick. High temperatures can also accelerate the degradation process and cause the nutrients in the food to break down. You will want to avoid storing dry dog food in areas where the temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a garage or shed. Make sure the selected location for dry dog food storage is secure and inaccessible to your dog to prevent him from sneaking snacks in the doldrums. Wet dog food storage can last months or even years if the canned dog food is not opened. Discard cans that have deep dents, air bubbles or swelling; all of these indicate that the can’s seal has been compromised and bacteria are growing inside. Once opened, you have 24 hours to store the food if your dog doesn’t finish it in one meal. Seal and refrigerate to maintain freshness. “Unfinished canned food should be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days,” says Dr. Nelson. “You can use jar lids to keep food fresh. Be sure to squeeze out any air and watch it carefully before feeding. If it’s watery, or has changed in smell or texture, throw it away. “”Once opened, we like to wrap the open end of the tube in foil and secure it with a rubber band,” she says. “This can last up to a week in the freezer.” Tips for freezing dog food If you have more food than your pet can eat before it goes bad, you can always use your freezer. You can freeze it to prevent it from going bad. You can also transfer any leftover canned food to a freezer-safe bag or container before freezing. Frozen food is best thawed in the refrigerator and served within six to nine months, but it can last longer. Make sure you are buying the right amount of food Dr. recommends that pet owners see their veterinarian to find out how much food their pets really need. “With 59 percent of cats and 54 percent of dogs in the United States being overweight, we’ve noticed that pet owners don’t actually know how much to feed their pets,” Dr. Nelson said. “You can’t always follow the chart on the bag because your pet may need more or less food, depending on their physical condition, age and activity level. It’s very important to know how much food they really need. Then, buy bags of food that they can actually eat in three to four weeks, or a portion of the food if you prefer to buy in bulk. ”
