Throw Away Food That Has Been Sitting Out
All dogs are different. Some dogs rush to their bowl to eat their entire serving right away, while others may take their time. Donât allow the dog food to sit in the bowl for longer than 2-4 hours. Be sure to empty and clean their bowl thoroughly if this occurs.
The same theory applies to unserved food. If it has been opened and sitting out for over four hours, it is recommended to throw it away.
Following these tips will make your dog food storage more efficient while keeping your dog healthy along the way.
Working Together With Dog Food Storage
The storage container itself will house up to 47 kilos of food providing you with plenty of freedom for maneuver. An innovative sealing system keeps all moisture away from your dog food, and must also keep pests away. We ought to say that, like with many of those dog food containers, youll find some prospects complaining about ants making their method contained in the container. So lengthy as they are made from food-grade plastic , then it is a nice thought dog food containers to store your dogs food in plastic containers. If the lip is secure and hermetic it might possibly hold the meals much fresher than maintaining it in the unique packaging, as a plastic container may be properly resealed between uses. How in regards to the Paw Prints canine pet food container that comes with an fascinating bone design? And if youre not a fan of doggie bones you presumably can always go for its word-themed variant.
It also sits on top of four wheels so if you have to move it round, you are capable of do so simply with out having to wrestle to raise a full dog food container. Made with heavy-duty food-grade plastic, this stackable dog food container is environment friendly and straightforward to retailer. It has a screw-top lid that types an hermetic seal, preserving pests and the elements out, and preventing extra dog food from going dangerous.
How Much And When Should You Feed Your Dog
This will vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 lbs your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.
For our 80 lb Hooch, that means 2 meals a day each containing 4 cups of food. It is important to note that, dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed several small meals throughout the dayrather than just one or two large meals, so you may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on accordingly to keep your pup comfy!
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Storing Canned Dog Food
An unopened can of dog food can remain fresh for years when stored in a cool and dry location, but only buy the number of cans that can be used before they reach their “best by” dates. Once opened, canned food should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than seven days. If you do not think you will use the whole can in that amount of time, freeze single-serve portions and thaw them on an as-needed basis. Canned food that has been opened and left at room temperature should be discarded after four hours. Clean the bowl prior to refilling it.
Youve spent good money on your dogs food. Dont let improper storage sabotage your dogs health and well-being.
Dr. Jennifer Coates
Mistake #: Only Washing Your Dogs Bowls Once In A While
Yes, life is so busy. But unwashed dog food bowls can develop bacteria, mold, mildew, and other contaminants, says Domaracki. Naturally, you dont want any of that anywhere near your pup.
What to do instead: While it may seem like an extra chore at first, get used to washing your dogs food and water bowls and measuring scoops with soap and hot water after every single meal, per the FDA.
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Mistake #: Regularly Topping Off Dry Dog Food
If you already store your dog food in an airtight container, a common mistake is to fill it back up before its totally emptied out. The problem with this is that leftover fat and crumbs from dog food can build up inside the container over time and, again, start to go bad.
What to do instead: Use up all of the food in an airtight container before you refill it. When the bin is empty, thats a good reminder that its time to wash it out and then add fresh food, says Churchill.
Storing Unopened Dog Food
The best way to keep dry kibble and unopened canned food is in a cool, dry, and secure place. The temperature shouldnt be more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When theres excess moisture or heat, this can cause the nutrients inside the dog food to break down and the quality will deteriorate. You should keep them in their original packaging so that you have all the important information that you need.
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How To Safely Store Dry Dog Food
How you handle dog food once you have it at home can make a big difference in how long it remains fresh and maintains its ideal nutritional profile, says Dr. Jennifer Coates. The following are five mistakes you dont want to make in order to best keep your dog safe.
Image:Michelle D. Milliman /Shutterstock
What Type Of Container Should You Use
My personal pick and the only one I recommend when it comes to properly storing dog food, is a durable plastic bin, like this one:
When you really look at the question of how to store dog food, a bin is really the best option.
A high quality, durable plastic bin protects your dry dog food from rodents, bugs, moisture, outside contaminants, and yes, even your own dog.
A dog food bag cant do any of that.
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Tip : Check Your Dogs Food For A Distinct Smell Or Discoloration
Any dog food that has been open for over 50 days might have a distinct smell or discoloration. If you notice that your dog food smells funky, be sure to throw it out and avoid feeding it to your dog.
Always check the food you want to give your dog beforehand. It is a safety tip to make sure you can spot any spoiled food before itâs too late.
Storing Opened Dry Food
But if ever youve already opened the dry food package, you can reseal it and put it back in a cool and dry place. If you want to store it in another container, make sure that its clean and dry and has a lid that seals it tightly. You can still keep it in its original packaging and put everything inside the container. Or you can just tape the important info outside of the canister so you still have pertinent details on hand.
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How Can I Tell If Dog Food Is Spoiled
If your dog suddenly wont eat or takes a few bites and walks away, they may be telling you somethings wrong with their food. Heres how to tell:
- Theres a sour or rancid smell.
- The dry food is moist, moldy or has bugs in it.
- The food has been exposed to high heat or humidity.
- The bag is past its Best Before date.
- Your dog seems sick or uncomfortable after eating.
- Theres a change in your dogs stool.
If you ever have any concerns about your dogs food, dont risk it. Toss out whats left and replace it with a fresh bag.
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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Airtight Dog Food Storage Containers
Dry dog food is extruded, and then sprayed with oils that start to break down and go rancid once the food is exposed to air, Dr. Nelson says. So, kibble needs to be kept in an airtight container.
When it comes to the type of dog food containers you should use, Dr. Nelson says Plastic or stainless steel containers are fine for storing kibble as long as they are airtight.
Pet product company Van Ness offers plastic pet food storage containers in several sizes, ranging from 5-pound storage containers to 50-pound storage containers.
I prefer stainless steel because it is easier to clean and lasts longer.
One stainless steel dog food container option is the Harry Barker Classic Dog Food Storage Canister. It features an airtight food-seal vacuum locking lid designed to ensure freshness and is made of steel for easy cleaning.
What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed My Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs walk a bit on the wild side when it comes to snacks as they love thin apple slices, banana chunks, carrots, whole unsalted peanuts in the husks, and dehydrated sweet potatoes! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore doing friendly fruit and veggies for treats like we have. We still on occasion will offer Hooch bully sticks or a jerky treat, but it is better for him if we limit his intake due to the levels of phosphorous that those treats contain.
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How Do You Know Your Dog Food Has Gone Bad
If you are trying to store dog food long term, it is important to know when the food has gone bad and it is time to get rid of it. There is a fine line between making the food last as long as possible and reaching the point of rancid or moldy food. Here are some ways to tell that it is time to throw the food out
- Expiration Date: All dog food bags have an expiration date on them. Even though some food can last longer than those dates, its a good idea to get rid of dog food when that day has passed.
- Mold: If you see any signs of mold growth either in the food or on your container, you need to throw the food out. Mold can be very toxic to dogs
- Bugs: You may start to notice weevils, meal moths, or numerous other bugs that enjoy grains and meats. Get rid of the food immediately and inspect the areas around your container to make sure the bugs are not elsewhere. Although many of the bugs that end up in dog food are not harmful when ingested, not getting rid of them immediately can lead to an infestation of all the food in your house, not just dog food.
- Smell: If the dog food begins to smell like paint or chemicals, it has gone rancid and needs to be thrown out.
- Your Dog Wont Eat: Although there are many possible causes for loss of appetite in dogs, if your dog starts to refuse their food or eat smaller portions, there is a good chance that the food is starting to go bad.
Want To Store Your Kibble In A Plastic Or Tin Container
A lot of places sell plastic or tin containers, advertising them as a great way to store kibble. If you want to use one of these containers, thats fine. But there are some things to consider:
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Protecting Your Furry Friend One Meal At A Time
With proper storage, you can help ensure that your dogs mealtime is an enjoyable experience. Want to learn more about how you can improve your best friends eating experience? to receive our exclusive monthly email newsletter for more dog care advice, nutritional info, and special members-only discounts on Bil-Jac Dog Food, Treats, and other products.
Out Of Sight Out Of Mind
If youre just going to use the original bag as storage, its a good idea to store it somewhere your dog wont be able to break in and eat to its hearts content. If you have no cupboard space dont be tempted to leave it out on the worktops as your dog will find a way to get the food, one way or another, so you might want to consider investing in an airtight container.
You dont always have to buy these at the shop, why not pop onto a social media site and check if someone is selling something suitable.
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Vittles Vault Airtight Stackable Dog Food Container
Heavy-duty plastic and stackable
This stackable dog food storage is made of thick, food grade plastic and is ideal for multi-animal homes.
About: The Vittles Vault Stackable Pet Food Container comes in two sizes that hold 40 or 60 pounds of kibble.
Features: This container comes with a one cup scoop and is stackable, making it an excellent purchase for a multi-animal household.
BPA free, the Vittles Vault Container is made of thick, food grade plastic.
PROS
Owners love that this bin keeps the smell of dog food inside the container and that the durable plastic keeps out both pets and other unwanted critters.
Additionally, stackable pet food storage is something that is really convenient for multi-pet homes.
CONS
With the opening facing forward , some users state that the bin may not fit as much food as advertised without some spilling out. Nevertheless, it remains one of the best airtight food containers on the market.
Best Airtight: Iris Airtight Food Storage Container & Scoop Combo
Capacity: 35 pounds total | Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.8 x 18.6 inches | Material: BPA-free, food-grade plastic
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Comes with two separate containers
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Airtight
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Containers are not connected
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A little pricey compared to similar plastic containers
Most of the options on this list are airtight, but the IRIS Airtight Food Storage Container & Scoop Combo is a dual system that gives it a slight edge over some of the others. It includes two storage containersone with a 25-pound capacity and another that fits 10 poundsso you can store two types of foods for different dogs, or keep your dogs food and treats in one place. Both containers, which are stacked on top of each other, have snap lock closures that give them an airtight seal, and the setup sits on top of four free-wheeling casters so you can easily move it around if you need to. It also comes with a two-cup food scoop that matches one of its seven available colors.
Capacity: Medium and large | Dimensions: 10.79 x 10.04 x 0.51 inches , 11.65 x 9.37 x 1.22 inches | Material: Eco-friendly silicone
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Small capacity
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Can be difficult to close
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At A Glance: The Right Way To Store Wet Dog Food
Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container Dont keep it for too long once the tin has been opened Prevent metal oxidation from tins by transferring it to a plastic storage container Only feed it to your dog at room temperature
Wet dog food is commonly sold in tins. Unopened, these can be stored conveniently in a dry and cool larder or basement for longer periods. What is important is that wet dog food is not exposed to direct sunlight.
What Should I Do With Leftover Wet Dog Food
If there is still some wet dog food left in the container, it should last for a few days with proper storage. Youll want to promptly refrigerate any unused portions of wet food or toppers to keep them safe for future use. Covering the food with a plastic lid, or putting it in an airtight container and squeezing out excess air will help protect the food and limit any aroma in your fridge. Check to see that your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees F or below.
In general, a properly refrigerated wet food should last for three to five days. If the food becomes watery, the aroma changes, or the texture is different, you may want to err on the side of caution and throw out that food.
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Tip #: Put The Bag In A Can
Weve just established that you should leave your dog food in its original bagyou should NOT be transporting it into a different bag.
But you can put that original bag inside a secondary container made of glass or stainless steel.
This way you get the benefit of the original bag, and you get the benefit of a second airtight container. This will help ensure that your food stays fresher, longer.