Feed Your Dog Pallaby
If you are looking for an alternative to your usual bulk bag of kibble, consider switching to pallaby. Delivered in compostable, pre-portioned pouches, pallaby pet food is optimized for freshness, and is consumed quickly after the pouch is opened. Even better, each pouch is tailored to fit your pup’s nutritional needs.
Not all kibble is created equal.At Pallaby, we believe dogs deserve fresh, safe foodjust like humans do. We don’t believe in feeding dogs food that’s been sitting around on a shelf for weeks or months. That’s why every pallaby kibble is packed in small 2.5 lbs bags, keeping it extra-fresh, being served to your pup. You can even see the expiration date printed right in the bag!What makes Pallaby kibble so fresh? Every single ingredient is hand-picked by our team of experts and guaranteed to be top-quality. Then every batch is cooked in our state-of-the-art facility and shipped directly to your door meaning it never spends time sitting on a store shelf or being oxidized in gross Tupperware containers. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!
How To Tell If Dry Dog Food Is Bad What You Need To Know
Something you may not think about that often is the expiration date of your dry dog food. And some pet owners may even think that dry dog food stays fresh for way longer than it actually does.
Unlike wet dog food, dry dog food is usually made with preservatives and other additives and then freeze-dried to extend its freshness date. But what is the date? And how do you tell if your dry dog food is bad? Weve done some digging on this subject matter. So, lets talk about it.
The Problem With Rancid Fats
Heres why you dont want your dog to eat rancid fats.
So its very important to prevent your dogs food from oxidation.
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Can I Put Dog Food In Mylar Bags
Yes, you can put dog food in mylar bags. Mylar bags are airtight, waterproof and highly flexible, making them perfect for storing dog food. They are lightweight, durable and available in a variety of designs, so you can find the perfect one for your pets food.
Mylar bags can keep dog food fresh for longer periods of time and prevent food from freezing or melting in extreme temperatures. Additionally, mylar bags are non-toxic and rust-resistant, so you dont have to worry about dangerous bacteria or rust contaminating the food.
With their superior protection and convenience, mylar bags are an excellent choice for storing dog food.
Use Metal And Glass Containers
Glass and metal containers are usually better for storing food than plastics. This is due to the fact that plastics can begin to give off undesirable flavors and smells, which can affect the taste of the dog food.
Plastics can also be ruined easily by dents, scratches, and punctures. Ultimately, this may cause the dog food to become contaminated and harbor harmful bacteria. So, if possible, go for metal or glass containers, as they work better with keeping air and moisture out of the dog food. This will help extend the life of food and prevent it from harboring a bad taste.
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Do Unopened Dog Treats Expire
Dog treats have an expiration date, just like any other food item. Does that imply that the food is inedible as soon as the date printed on the package passes? This is similar to how crackers would likely still be edible if consumed a few days after their expiration date.
Another thing to remember is that dog treats have two dates. One is a best before date and the other is an actual expiration date. An ingredient’s shelf life may have passed by the time it reaches its expiration date, but the best by date indicates when your dog treats should be consumed for the optimum quality.
What Can You Do With Leftover Dry Dog Food
Store your dogs food appropriately.
Dry kibble should be stored in an air-tight pet food storage container with a lid and kept in a cool, dry environment. Many dog owners simply scoop food from the bag and roll the bag over resulting in food that can go stale, collect moisture, grow mold, or become contaminated.
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Will Your Dog Get Sick If He Eats Expired Food
Unfortunately, your dog may very well get sick if he consumes spoiled or expired food, but its not guaranteed. To keep your furry friend safe, its best to toss out any food that may be on the fence between fresh and spoiled.
Your dog may be more likely to get sick if mold or bacteria has grown on top of the food. Theres also a higher possibility that your pooch may have some tummy trouble if the fats in his food have gone rancid.
However, it is important to note that dogs all have varying immune systems, so some pooches will prove more susceptible to food-caused illnesses than others.
If you suspect that your canine companion has eaten food that may have gone bad, give your veterinarian a call. Have information about your dogs foods ingredients, the food manufacturer, and the expiration date at the ready so that you can give your vet the clearest view of your dogs situation.
How To Keep Dog Food Fresh
Since kibble, wet food, fresh ultra-processed and fresh frozen dog foods all go bad quickly once the packaging is open, its important to take steps to extend the shelf life and preserve the quality.
Shop more often: Almost one-quarter of pet parents purchased two packages of pet food at a time even though 64 percent of pets took at least four weeks to consume one bag of food, according to research . Buying several packages might save on extra trips to the store but could increase the odds that your dog food expires before your pooch polishes off the entire bag.
Make space in the freezer:Storing fresh, frozen foods in the freezer can extend their shelf lifebut Chavez offers one caveat.
If its been exposed to heat or previously frozen and thawed above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, freezing is not recommended, he says.
Practice safe storage: Leaving dry dog food unsealed, pouring kibble into plastic containers or leaving food out too long are among the most common dog food storage mistakes to avoid. Instead, Chavez suggests leaving dog food in its original packaging and storing it in a cool, dry spot with limited exposure to heat and light.
Paying attention to the expiration on your dogs food ensures that your furry friend is benefiting from all of the flavor and nutrients her dog food should provide and protecting her from potential illness.
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If The Dog Food Doesnt Smell Right
If a food looks fine but smells bad when you open it and, especially, if your dog seems reluctant or slow to dig into it its likely that the foods preservative and antioxidant agents have not performed as well as they should. The fats in the food may be rancid, making it unappealing, but not necessarily unhealthful. Oxidation of the fats in a food can result in a chemical chain reaction that leads to a rapid spreading of free radicals . The absorption of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins is significantly reduced in oxidized foods defeating the purpose of buying that costly nutritious diet!
If a food is giving off a strong, chemical or rancid odor, its probably not dangerous to feed to your dog, but its certainly not what the manufacturer intended. If it doesnt smell right, you shouldnt feed it, advises Armstrong. My experience is, if a food is rancid, a dog wont eat it, even if hes a real chow hound.
Armstrong and several other pet food company executives admit that all makers of naturally preserved foods struggle with the task of preventing rancidity and oxidation in their products. The one downside of natural preservation systems is that sometimes shelf life is shortened, says Dr. Brown. Still, its better than putting chemicals and artificial preservatives into our animals tissues.
Is It Possible For Dogs To Thrive Solely On Dry Food
Dogs appear to enjoy dry dog food, and the majority of them live happy, healthy lives on nearly any brand. Dogs perform OK on dry dog food, which is good news for pet owners. Although many canines prefer wet dog food because it is more digestible, dry food is still a healthy option. Although many canines prefer wet dog food because it is more digestible, dry food is still a healthy option. So, lets take a look at why dogs may survive just on dry food.
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Is Metal Container Ok For Dog Food
Yes, metal containers are generally okay for storing dog food. Many people choose to use metal containers when traveling with their pet, such as aluminum dog food tins with airtight seals. Metal containers help protect food from moisture, pests, and maximize freshness, as well as keeping food free of bacteria.
Metal containers are also easy to keep clean compared to plastic. However, if your dog food has higher fat content, it is important to leave space for the food to breathe, as fat helps preserve the food, but can also cause the food to spoil faster than other types of containers.
That being said, overall, metal containers are an ideal choice for storing dog food.
What Is The Time To Feed A Dog
The amount of time it takes to feed a dog will vary depending on the type of food and the amount of food being served. Generally, its recommended that adult dogs are fed two meals per day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Puppies, on the other hand, may require 3-4 meals per day depending on their age and activity level.
The time it takes to feed a dog also depends on the size of the dog. Smaller dogs tend to finish their food much faster than large dogs. In addition, if the dog is eating wet food, it will take them longer than if they were eating dry food.
The best thing to do is to figure out how much food your particular dog needs, and then feed it in the proper amount of time. This could be anywhere from 5-15 minutes. It is important to try to feed your dog at roughly the same time every day to help establish a consistent eating routine.
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Does Dry Dog Food Actually Expire
The answer to this question is somewhat complicated, as it depends on the specific type of dry dog food. Generally speaking, most types of dry dog food do not actually expire in the way that other types of food do.
However, they do go bad if they are left exposed to the elements for too long, or if there is a noticeable change in texture, color, or smell. It is important to check the expiration date, use-by date, or best by date on the package to determine when the food should be discarded.
Some manufacturers also offer suggestions for how long the food can be stored. Generally speaking, the best way to ensure the safety and quality of dog food is to store it in a cool, dry place and to use it before the stated expiration or use-by date.
Additionally, if purchasing in bulk or storing food for long periods of time, it is important to repackage in smaller containers or buy-in-bulk containers that provide an airtight seal.
How Long Is Canned Dog Food Good
Your pets bowl should be emptied of moist or canned food not eaten by your cat or dog within 4 hours if the ambient temperature is above 50°F. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45°F, for a maximum of 5-7 days. Any cat or dog food remaining after that time should be thrown out.
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How Long Is Canned Dog Food Good For After Being Opened
Canned dog food has a longer shelf life than dry food when its unopened. It can last about 2 years before it reaches its expiration date. However, once its opened, it has a much shorter shelf life than dry food.
It should be refrigerated and used within a few days, with 7 days being the maximum. If you cant use an entire can in a week, you can freeze individual portions. Then just thaw and serve as needed.
Is Your Dogs Food Fresh
So how long does a bag of dry pet food really last after it’s been opened?
According to renowned dog nutrition experts, Steve Brown and Beth Taylor, approximately 2 weeks. Yes, just 2 WEEKS! Yikes!
What about the expiration date on the bag, you ask? While it is true that the shelf-life of an unopened dry dog food product can be up to a year, once a bag of kibble is opened, the two-week count-down begins, making the expiration date on the bag somewhat misleading.
Why does a bag of kibble only last for 2 weeks once opened? It’s all down to a sneaky process called oxidation.
Pet food bags are designed to keep kibble stable and safe for your pet to eat. But, when a bag is opened, and the kibble is exposed to air, the oils and fats in the food start to react with oxygen, gradually causing them to break down and eventually turn rancid . Sounds yucky, doesn’t it?
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Tip #: Do Not Give Your Dog Food That Is Discolored Or Smelly
You wouldnt drink milk that smells funky, would you? Of course not!
And you shouldnt feed bad-smelling or discolored-looking food to your dog, either.
Thats why its never a bad idea to give your dog food a quick whiff before giving it to your dog, especially if its has been opened for longer than 60 days.
If you can train yourself to get in this habit, then youll know what the food is supposed to smell likeand youll be able to tell if that odor starts to change.
How Can You Tell If Dog Food Has Gone Bad
There are a couple of telltale signs that your dogs dinner is past its prime. Here are some things to look out for while inspecting your mutts meals:
1. Something smells suspicious. Bad odors are a key sign that your dogs food isnt as fresh as it could be. Of course, youll still want to use common sense. Fish-focused foods are bound to smell, well, fishy, and the same goes for other doggie delights. However, if you notice a sharp, rancid odor, or a huge difference in smell from previous food batches, it could be a sign that the food has gone bad.
2. You find mold. Any signs of mold or moisture mean that its time to toss out your dogs food. Unfortunately, our furry friends can develop food poisoning from even a small amount of moldy food.
3. There are bugs in your dogs food. First of all, ew! If you see any bugs in your dogs food, its time to toss it. While the bugs themselves wont necessarily harm your hound, its a sign that the food was not stored properly on its way to your pups plate, so its best to stay on the safe side and get rid of the contaminated food entirely. Plus, bugs may crawl through bacteria or other potentially dangerous substances, which they can then spread to your dogs food.
4. The food is past the bags expiration date. While expired food may not necessarily have gone bad, its better to be safe than sorry.
Dont forget to apply the same scrutiny to your dogs treats that you do his food treats can and do go bad over time.
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How To Keep Dry Dog Food
We recommend that you follow these easy guidelines:
- Purchase only as much food as your dog will consume in a few weeks.
- Keep the food in the original bag, push out as much air as possible, and seal tightly with a clip, wire, or elastic.
- Place the bag inside an airtight container.
- Do not combine new and old foods. Unless youre changing your dogs diet, always complete the old food bag before opening a new one.
- Always clean the container in between each food bag. Rancid oils will set off a chain reaction in your new food, causing it to spoil much more quickly.
- After cleaning, always allow the container to air dry thoroughly.
- Please keep it away from insects and rodents in an excellent, dry location.
- If you have too much food, freeze a portion of it.
Pay Attention To Expiration Dates
Manufacturers establish best by dates to ensure the safety of your dog. Look for the expiration date on the bottom of your dogs food bag or cans, and plan to use up the food before that date.
In general, unopened dry pet foods have a shelf life of one year, while unopened canned foods are good for two years from the date of manufacture. Dry food, when stored properly, should last through the manufacturers indicated expiration date.
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