How to Store Dry Dog Food Correctly to Keep It Usable and Tasting Good
You love your dog. You are a responsible pet parent, and you’ve done your research. You know exactly what dog food is best for the needs of your particular pooch. But with all the time and effort you put into finding your dog the absolute best dry dog food — and one that he’ll eat with gusto — what about proper storage? Have you thought about learning the best way to store your dog’s favorite food so that it stays fresh, safe, and keeps all its valuable nutrients?
What’s the best way to keep kibble after you've found the one that's just right for your pet?
Don’t Give the Bag the Boot
The number one mistake made by well-meaning pet owners is to transfer their dog’s dry dog food out of the original bag and into a plastic storage container. It’s important to know that the bags the best dry dog food products come in are specially designed to protect that particular food. The insides of the bags are typically waxed to repel the oils and fats included in the best dry dog foods. When poured into a plastic container, the fat can stick to the plastic and become rancid, which then contaminates fresher kibble that’s dumped into the same container.
The dark, coated bags that dog food comes in are designed to be the ideal storage container for that food. If you want to put your dog’s dry food into a plastic storage container to maintain freshness and protect from any pests or rodents, the best idea is to place the entire bag into the plastic container.
It’s also a good idea to keep the dry food inside the bag in case you end up needing to look at sell-by dates or bar codes in case of a product recall.
Keep Air Out and Flavor In
Be sure to keep your best dry dog food as airtight as possible. This not only keeps it fresh and helps keep dog food flavorful, but it also helps to keep the nutrients intact and keeps the food rich fats and oils from evaporating or turning rancid. Either keep the bag of dry dog food inside a sealed plastic container or roll the top of the bag down tightly and clip closed with a clothespin or bag clip.
The best dry dog foods are formulated to remain fresh for about six weeks when properly stored. Exposing dog food to air and humid conditions can cause it to deteriorate faster and possibly become contaminated by bacteria that could make your dog sick.
Shun the Sun
The best dry dog food should always be stored in a cool, dry place, preferably in a darkened area away from the sun. Cabinets, cupboards, closets, and pantries are great places to store dry dog food. Allowing bags of dry dog food to be stored in the sun can raise temperatures inside the bag to a level than can encourage the growth of bacteria.
Storing dog food in the garage is another common mistake. Dog food should not be stored in places where temperatures fluctuate. You should also avoid storing dry dog food under the sink where it could be exposed to moisture. Even the best dry dog food can grow mold if exposed to dampness.
Out with the Old, in with the New
Be sure not to keep dog food past the expiration date. Even if you find a great sale on the best dry dog food, it’s not a good idea to buy more than your dog can eat in six weeks.
It’s also best not to add new dog food to the old, or pour the remainder of an older bag of dog food on top of your new one. You could be transferring bacteria from the old bag to the new.
Canned Food Cans and Can’ts
Canned dog food can be stored for long periods of time. It’s important to check the expiration dates, but many canned dog foods have a shelf life of up to five years. It’s a good practice to push the older cans forward when you buy new cans so that you use the older ones first. Once a can is opened, unused portions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days in an airtight container.
Uneaten remainders in a dog’s bowl should be disposed of after about four hours.
Following these safe food practices for your pooch will keep him healthy, happy, and safe.
Resources— K9cuisine , petcentralchewy.com, thehonestkitchen
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