Just like the rest of us, we tend to want the best for our pets, which includes the food being kept fresh, nutritious, and safe. So with kibble or wet food, a few extremely simple yet vital rules need to be followed to keep pet food fresh and unspoiled as long as possible. Pet food appears to be simple to store, but improper storage can lead to spoilage, loss of nutrition, and unappetizing taste for your furry friend. Below are some tips that can help you to store pet food like a pro.
- Use the Right Container for Pet Food Storage
After a bag of food arrives home, it is deemed to pour the content into a smaller container for easy access. Really, that’s the time to think about storing the food best for your pet. Making sure the kibble remains fresh is quite unique to the bag; they are manufactured with oil-resistant layers that keep the flavor and nutrition locked in. On the other hand, transferring the kibble into plastic containers, especially if they are scratched, makes it easy for rancid odors and flavor to develop because the oils are absorbed into the plastic.
What is the best option? Storing the whole bag in an airtight container will keep air, moisture, and pests from contaminating the kibble and keep it fresh. If you have another storage option in mind, make sure it is an airtight, BPA-free container, as you do not want any harmful chemicals leaching into your kibble. In limited available space, a small airtight glass or metal container (such as a Tupperware container) would be helpful for short-term storage. Just remember never to store more than a week’s worth of food at a time.
You should never top off old food with fresh food, as new food placed on top may be sabotaged by older feed going bad and contaminating it. Wash out the food container thoroughly before every refill for the safety and freshness of your pet’s food. - Pet Food Storage Regime
Where you store the pet food does matter! Yes, putting those heavy bags and containers out of sight in the garage or basement is tempting; however, temperature and humidity can greatly influence both short-term and long-term preservation of pet food freshness. It is better to avoid storing the pet food in any hot-humid environment, as heat and moisture are two factors that can really reduce the quality of kibble and canned food.
If possible, the pantry or kitchen cabinets should be the most convenient place for food storage. I mean, this is where you keep your food, right? Keeping a temperature-controlled dry environment will protect your pet’s meals just as you would want to preserve yours. Avoid storing pet food in direct sunlight or places where it can become overheated, like next to an oven or heater. - Do not Let Pet Food Sit Outside Too Long
If you are serving wet food for your furry friend, you should also be aware that it can spoil quickly if it stays unattended at room temperature. So, for good measure, you are better off serving just what your pet can eat in one sitting. Leftover wet food needs to be tossed away after one to two hours. The more it is left out, the more the risk of food-borne bacteria growth, which may lead to potential health hazards for- your pet.
The dry food does not live forever either; kibble, if kept out for a longer time, may get rancid due to the oil present in it. For maximum freshness, kibble should ideally remain out for 6-8 hours. Whatever remains after that should be thrown away. - Clean Food and Water Bowls Regularly
It is easy to neglect cleaning food and water bowls, but regular cleaning is of vital importance in keeping the pet healthy. If left uncleaned, pet food bowls will attract leftover food, subsequent oily film, and bacteria. In reality, even if your pet tends to finish its food quite quickly, the residual food in the bowl could create a potential hazard.
The FDA recommends washing food bowls after each feeding and water bowls at least once daily. It may seem like a little thing, but this one habit can go a long way in preventing bacterial build-up so that your pet is eating from clean and safe bowls. - Know Your Pet Food’s Expiry Date
Yes, pet food has an expiry date, and that is not just a mere suggestion! The same goes for pet food: after the expiration date, it can lose nutritional value and may become harmful for consumption. Even if the food looks just fine and smells perfectly good, it could be lacking vital nutrients or preservatives.
Check for expiry before buying pet food; this way, you can be sure you will use it within its shelf life. Also, remember that canned pet food tends to live longer than dry kibble, so keep an eye on those dates, too, and rotate your food so you’re not giving your pet expired stuff. - Purchase Only Necessities
To help keep your pet’s food fresh, one of the best things to do is to avoid buying in bulk. Although buying in bulk seems like a good idea, kibble begins to lose its freshness once opened and many bags are only good for 1-2 months post-opening.
Experts suggest only buying as much food as your pet can reasonably eat in 4-6 weeks. This way, you don’t have stockpiled food that goes stale before your pet finishes it. Smaller purchases keep your pet always having fresh food. If bulk is really your style, consider the expiration dates and make sure to store your food properly to avoid waste. - Freeze Unused Pet Food
For all those who prefer stocking up or who simply have extra food lying around, freezing is an excellent option for keeping your pet’s food fresh for a long. Freezing helps prolong the shelf life of kibble, while opened wet food can be divided into smaller portions and frozen in ziplock bags.
Thawing frozen food simply requires an overnight stay in the fridge, allowing it to taste just like the day you bought it, right? Further, freezing pet food can extend its shelf life by 6 to 9 months. And pet treats can benefit from this too!
Conclusion
These easy and effective ways to store pet food will ensure that the pet food stays fresh, delicious, and nutritious. Good storage will maintain the quality of the pet food and the health and safety of your pet. Therefore, stand back for a moment and reevaluate the location and methods for storing your pet food—not only to protect it from pests. With fresh and properly stored foods, your pets will flourish and you will get the most out of your purchases!
