Pets don’t always have the most discerning palettes. Chances are your fur baby just finished devouring a dead lizard they found in the backyard before coming in to give you kisses. This is why they depend on you to provide them with fresh, balanced meals to keep them healthy and happy. Food that’s not stored properly can degrade and turn rancid, which will make your pet sick.
And, it’s likely that “breakfast” and “dinner” are two of your pet’s favorite words. The excitement that surrounds meal time can be measured in purrs and wags, so in order to keep meal time happy and healthy, here are a few tips to ensure you pet’s food stays fresh and nutritious whether you feed wet or dry.
Keep Dry Pet Food In The Bag It Came In
While it’s tempting to pour a new bag of dog or cat food into an airtight bin, it’s actually better to store kibble in the bag it came in. You can certainly put the whole bag into another container, but keeping the food in its original packaging provides an added barrier that helps seal in fats and oils and prevents the food from becoming rancid. Keeping food in its original bag also preserves the UPC code, lot number and “best by” date in case you run into any issues, such as a product recall or defect. Also, be sure to wash the storage container regularly and dry completely before adding in another bag as moisture can prompt mold and mildew growth on the food.
Store Pet Food In A Cool Dry Place
Hills Science Diet recommends that dry cat or dog food should always be stored in a cool, dry environment under 100 degrees. Pet foods that are subject to temperatures of 120 degrees (such as in a hot garage at the peak of summer) for more than 48 hours can accelerate decay and deplete the food’s vitamins. It’s best to store canned food in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees. Hills Science Diet does not recommend freezing canned food as it changes the taste and texture, which might throw you fur baby off their diet.
Keep Pet Bowls and Scoops Clean
Many of us use measuring cups to make sure our pets get just the right amount for their breed and size. These scoops should be cleaned regularly. The same with food bowls. Unwashed pet food bowls can develop bacteria, mold, mildew and other contaminants. Therefore, dog food bowls should be cleaned after every use per the FDA. Dish soap is perfect for this, and it also may be a good idea to have two sets of dishes so you always have some clean ones ready to go at meal time.
What If Your Pet Doesn’t Eat All Of Their Food at Mealtime?
While dry food can be left in your pet’s bowl all day in between feedings, wet food is a whole other matter. Your pet should be able to consumer their wet meal within four hours if served inside with temperatures above 50 degrees. If they’re habitually not consuming all their food, try cutting back on the portion to give them a meal that’s a little more in line with their appetite. Open cans can be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap or with a silicon lid, for a maximum of five to seven days. Any food stored longer than that should be thrown out.
How To Know If An Unopened Can Or Bag Of Pet Food Is Still Good
Fortunately, all pet foods come with date codes, UPC codes, and “best by” dates. If your dry bag says the food would be best by December, by December 1 the unopened bag or can should be discarded. This is important because the nutritional value of the food starts to degrade the closer it gets to its “best by” date. It’s best to buy the portion of food that your pet can consumer within a few months of opening (for dry) and store only enough canned food to last about a week or two at most.
When In Doubt, Just Ask Your Jacksonville Vet
With a thorough wellness exam, your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and right portion size to keep your pet happy and healthy. Don’t have a vet yet? Google vet near me, or vets near me and choose a 5-star vet based on Google ratings. At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we are thankful to all of our clients for their great reviews, and proud of our rating!
