Learn The Difference Between A Best By Date And An Expiration Date
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There are so many different brands, types, and flavors of dog food on the market that picking one can be overwhelming. Feeding your pup a healthy, nutritious food doesnât stop once you make an educated decision on what to feed, though. Knowing how to properly store your dogâs food to prevent spoilage, being aware of the signs of contamination, and understanding the difference between a âbest byâ date and an expiration date are all important aspects when it comes to your petâs nutrition.
Store Your Dog Food In Its Original Packaging
There are two good reasons for storing your dog food in its original packaging. Firstly, it will have been made from food-grade material. Ordinary plastics can actually cause food to spoil. Even if they are airtight, they may draw out oils from the dog food. Over time, this will lead to it becoming rancid.
Secondly, the original packaging will have all the key information about the dog food. You never know when you might need to refer to this. For example, if the brand has a product recall, you will need to check the original packaging to see if you need to return the food.
Can You Get A Bad Bag Of Dog Food
Dry or canned, most dog food is made to lastfor a while, that is. Although many commercially-available dog foods have long shelf lives, they dont stay fresh forever. Does dog food go bad? In short, yes: without proper storage, dog food can spoil or go rancid.
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The Trouble With Rancid Fats
Worryingly, a number of animal studies have indicated that vitamins in food are destroyed when oils and fats go rancid :351-5, 1942). This means that when your dog consumes old kibble, they may not be absorbing all of the nutrients, vitamins and fats they need for a healthy, well-balanced diet.
To make matters worse, the consumption of oxidized fats has also been linked with a range of health concerns, including decreased immune function .
While this all may sound concerning, don’t despair! There are a number of steps you can take to help your chosen kibble product stay fresh and nutritious for as long as possible.
What Fats Are In Kibble
There are many types of fats and theyre divided into the number of carbon bonds they contain. And the more carbon bonds the fat contains, the more quickly it will oxidize.
- Saturated Fats, like those found in beef, contain no carbon bond. So theyre not as unstable as other fats.
- Monounsaturated Fats contain one double bond, meaning they oxidize more easily. Olive oil is an example of a monounsaturated fat. But the amount of oxidation isnt nearly as much as it is in PUFAs, or polyunsaturated fats.
- PUFAs, as their name implies, contain several carbon bonds. Chicken fat contains PUFAs, so foods with chicken or poultry fat are much more likely to oxidize than those with beef.
The fats with the most bonds are DHA and EPA the fats found in fish oils.
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Keep Your Dogs Food Fresh
It will save you and your dog a lot of headache to keep their dog food fresh from the start. Make sure to only open one package at a time, using it within 6 weeks of opening. Maybe you have a small dog, and they cant eat such a large bag in that timeframe. And try not to be too tempted by all of the bulk deals you can find. Instead, think through how much dog food your pup eats in a year. And dont keep any more on hand than that amount.
Remember to always keep your dog food sealed tight in a cool, dry place. Its better to keep your furbabies safe and healthy upfront, rather than having to deal with unfortunate consequences later on.
For more articles about helpful pet parenting tips, breed mixes, and fun dog-friendly activities, check out the Blog at TryFi.com.
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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I Designed Canned Or Dried Dog Food To Last
Most dog foods found in the market are dried or canned. Sometimes, we find fresh frozen dog food in the supermarket freezers. However, the art of canning and dehydration had been utilized to make dog food last.
Thats already convenient for you. Even though with its design, it will still spoil when it has been taken out of its preservation container or has been introduced to oxidants.
Knowing how long is dry dog food good for, like an Unopened canned dog food which have a shelf life of two years, will enable you to buy manageable quantities accordingly. A dry dog food variation that hasnt been opened can stay fresh for 12-18 months.
How Long Is Dry Dog Food Good After Expiration Date
Natasha Lowery1 week after they have been opened.
In this manner,What is the shelf life of pantry foods?
Shelf Life of Pantry Foods Ingredient Shelf Life Nuts, unshelled 6 months Oil, canola 2 years unopened, 1 year opened Oil, olive 6 months Oil, vegetable spray 2 years 60 more rows
In this regard,What to do with expired canned goods?
These expired items can pose a health threat to you and your family if not disposed of in the proper manner. Dump the contents of the can into the garbage disposal or trash bag if the contents are within two months past the expiration date. Thoroughly rinse the can in your sink and recycle the can at your local recycling center.
Similarly, it is asked,How long is canned food good for after expiration date?
Canned food can be eaten up to a year past the expiration date, as long as its kept in a cool, dry environment. If the can is perfectly intact, with no dents or holes, then its totally safe.
Is it safe to eat expired canned food?
Theoretically, if the can was packaged correctly and is undamaged, it should have an almost indefinite shelf life. However, if you do not want to risk food-borne illnesses from spoiled canned goods, you will probably want to establish your own safe guidelines for consuming expired canned foods .
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Why You Shouldnt Give Your Cavapoo Expired Dog Food
Expired dog food runs the possibility of containing harmful bacteria that can cause serious problems with your dogs overall health. Apart from the food that has lost its nutritional quality, expired food can lead to a range of harmful illnesses that is not worth the risk.
A Cavapoo needs a healthy and substantial diet to promote good health and a great quality of life. Expired food is tantamount to feeding your Cavapoo empty organic matter that is likely harboring dangerous pathogens that will lead to illness.
To avoid these problems, always check the labels of both dry and canned pet food to make sure the dates are still far away. For dry food, always make sure you seal the bag after serving a portion. The key is to make sure no air can be exposed to the food, and it may help to empty the bag into a sealed containerand then discard the original bag.
Dog food that comes in cans is important to provide your dog with texture and some semblance of whole foods and meats to keep them engaged with their meals. Since a Cavapoo is a small dog, you may find that feeding him/her an entire can for one meal is too much.
This may cause you to only feed your Cavapoo a half can and save the other half for a meal later in the day. This is fine but make sure you do not leave the can in your fridge for longer than 24 hours. Also, always put the wet food in the refrigerator and never live it sitting out at room temperature.
Can I Feed My Dog Out Of Date Chicken
Perhaps even more dangerous than out of date red meat is out of date poultry like chicken. Spoiled chicken brings with it all the dangers seen with spoiled meat but there is also the added risk of giving your dog salmonella poisoning when feeding them rancid chicken.
This illness would require immediate veterinary attention and can even lead to death if not addressed. Raw chicken, rather out of date or not, should never be given to your dog under any circumstances to avoid severe illness.
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What About Raw Meat
Supplementing raw meat into your dog’s diet is fine, but only if it is very fresh. The reasoning behind feeding raw meat is usually to mirror your dog’s natural diet, but remember that meat from the shops is not the same as freshly hunted meat. Meat from the butcher has been processed in an abbatoir, and often transported for days before being sold.
If you really want to feed raw meat, best to go for a freeze-dried option, such as K9 Natural or Ziwi.
Start With The Expiration Dates
Pet food manufacturers establish expiration or best by dates to ensure the safety of your dog. In general, unopened dry pet foods have a shelf life of 12-18 months, while unopened canned foods are good for two years from the date of manufacture. Look for the expiration date on the bottom of your dogs food bag or cans, and plan to open and use the food before that date.
Keep in mind, the date stamped on the bag indicates how long the food will stay fresh before being opened. Once its opened, and air and moisture have a chance to get in, dog food can start to degrade. Some experts recommend using opened food within a couple of weeks. If youre concerned about getting through an opened bag before it goes bad, consider buying dog food in smaller amounts. Better to safely use up a small bag than risk a large, opened bag of dog food spoiling before its emptied!
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Does Dog Food Go Bad Or Spoil
Dog food, especially kibble and canned food can last longer than many people foods. However, they can still go bad or spoil especially if not stored or handled properly.
When it comes to dog food, its best to refer to the manufacturers guidelines and expiration dates for determining freshness.
Youll also want to inspect your dogs food for any signs that the batch has gone bad which well dive into below.
But at the end of the day, youll always want to err on the side of caution. Its just not worth taking chances with your four-footers health.
Simply put: When in doubt, throw it out!
With that in mind, as long as youre following the recommended storage guidelines and keeping tabs on the expiration date, most foods should remain fresh, tasty, and safe for quite a while.
Dont freak out if you just noticed your dogs food is no longer safe and fresh there are several same-day dog food delivery options available thatll help keep Fido fed in a pinch!
Natural Preservatives In Kibble
Natural preservatives, such as vitamin E and vitamin C are used in better quality foods. But while natural preservatives are less toxic than their synthetic counterparts, they dont offer the same shelf life. And while theyre less toxic, not all natural preservatives are, well, natural!
Some of the more common natural antioxidants include:
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Best Dog Food For Small And Large Breeds
Small breed dogs and large breed dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require large-breed dog food with different balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on large-sized kibble and have their own nutritional requirements that can be accommodated with a small-breed dog food. Research your dogs breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you should be aware of.
What Are The Health Risks To Giving Your Dog Out Of Date Food
The health risks for your dog eating spoiled or expired food can be minimal or benign or even life-threatening and in need of immediate veterinary attention.
Dogs eat in similar ways that we eat they enjoy food but are also in need of essential nutritional value. Therefore, a dog may not immediately reject rancid or spoiled food as we would because they need sustenance and nutrients to properly function at a higher rate than us. We can train ourselves to abstain from food, but dogs are much simpler in their thinking and expect to eat when hungry.
If expired and spoiled food is what is presented to them, they will typically eat it.
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What Foods Should Not Be Vacuum Sealed
Food Items That Should Not Be Vacuum Sealed Raw Mushrooms. Due to their natural ripening process, fresh mushrooms may decay faster if vacuum sealed. Fresh Bananas. Vacuum sealing fresh bananas can actually quicken their ripening time. Raw Garlic & Onion. Soft Cheeses. Freshly Cooked Vegetables. Whole Apples.
What Can I Feed My Puppy When They Are Able To Eat Dry Food
So, your puppy has made it to a point where theyve developed a strong set of baby teeth, and can now start munching away at whatever they fancy as long as its not the curtains.
After a few months, youre likely to be an expert in mushing kibble and liquid a master of measurements, an eagle eye at feeding time. Like we said, its a process. But just because your puppy now has teeth, it doesnt mean you can let them indulge in whatever they want. Theres still plenty of development to be done, so you need to make sure theyre eating healthy puppy food, with:
- High calories: puppies need a lot of energy, because they have so much growing to do. This is why most puppy foods will be higher in calories than most adult alternatives.
- Extra Protein: puppies need lots of protein to help their muscles and organs develop.
- Lots of nutrients: your pup needs all of the essentials, like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and the all-important Vitamin D.
- Glucosamine: the miracle ingredient that supports the development of teeth and bones.
- Digestible Ingredients: foods that are easily absorbed, so they get every drop of nutritious goodness.
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Look For Visible Signs
When most of us pour food into the dog bowl, we rarely take a look at it. If you think the dry dog food might have gone bad, be sure to carefully inspect the food and check for mold or bugs. Also, look for different colors and a white powdery coating. All these are visible signs that the food has gone bad.
Why Fats In Kibble Go Rancid Fast
The minute you open your dogs bag of kibble, air gets in and the oxidation process begins. And every time you open the bag, the amount of oxidation increases, along with the health risks. The fats and oils in the food are very susceptible to oxidation so every time you open the bag, the fat particles break down into smaller compounds such as malondialdehyde, , and the fat becomes rancid.
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Dog Food Usually Spoils Within A Few Days Of Opening It
An opened canned dog food usually lasts for 7 days in the refrigerator. If it is not in the refrigerator, an opened canned dog food will last about 4 hours.
Dry dog food with an opened bag will last 4-6 weeks and should be consumed within that period. If its exposed to air, it may happen earlier than that. Keeping it in the freezer will make it last longer, according to experts.
Note The Expiration Date
Your dogs food has an expiration date just like your food does. Thats why we always make the Best Before dates on our packages easy to find and understand. For dry dog food and pouches of wet food, its on the back. For canned food, its on the bottom of the can and the date is clearly visible theres no secret code you have to crack. After that date has passed, though, swap out old food for new, because we cant guarantee its nutritional integrity anymore.
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Can Dry Dog Food Go Bad What Causes Spoilage
The processes involved in producing dry dog food kill off most bacteria and fungi. Then what causes dry dog food to go bad?
Unfortunately, once opened, nothing is stopping their recolonization efforts beyond the preservatives , which, as we discussed earlier, dont last forever.
Holes in food bags are often the routes by which these bacteria and fungi can repatriate onto your dogs food. Holes are also a route for air and moisture that they depend on.
Air exposure allows for oxygen-hungry aerobic bacteria to multiply. These can produce toxic byproducts and speed up fat oxidation.
Moisture can also find its way into the bag making a great environment for fungi . Even if you think the food in the bag is not wet, your so-called dry food actually contains up to 14% water.
Any increased moisture can lead to a greater water activity, allowing fungal and microbial colonization to happen.
Last but not least, high environmental temperature accelerates both microbial growth and fat rancidity.
Preservatives can only prevent all these processes until the dry dog foods best-by date. After that, the food will start degrading.
After the expiry date , the dog foods nutritional content is highly compromised and it might also contain potentially hazardous substances.
As some studies pointed out, rancidity accounts for most of what we consider dry pet food spoilage and therefore lower fat diets usually have a longer shelf life.