The Downsides Of Wet Food
Wet foods are harder to store and harder to portion out. Few dogs eat one single can of wet food, which means youll probably be storing foods in your fridge or freezer to make up the different portion sizes.
Wet food doesnt stay good as long as dried food does once the package is opened. Youre on a ticking clock the moment you pop the seal, so youll need a realistic plan for preserving your dogs food.
Freezing Wet Dog Food
Owners that need to store their opened wet dog food for a longer period of time can look to the freezer for help. Freezing the dog food will keep it safe to eat for a long period of time if done correctly.
There are a few different methods depending on the needs of the owner and dog. With that being said, the freezing method can deteriorate the quality of the food in terms of nutritional content and taste.
Keeping it in the freezer for too long may make it undesirable to dogs, so owners should try serving the food as soon as possible.
The easiest way to freeze the food is to pop it in some zip-lock bags. Owners can portion out the food so that it’s easy to defrost and prepare come dinner time.
Never put the can directly into the freezer. Due to the formula’s high moisture content, doing so will lead to a nasty surprise when it freezes. Instead, use multiple zip-lock bags placed on a tray. It’s important to space out eat tray to ensure that the bags don’t stick together as they freeze.
Another alternative is to use ice cube trays. This is great for owners looking to make a quick treat for their pup. It’s also beneficial for portioning food after it has frozen. Simply fill the trays, leaving enough room for expansion.
With either method, defrosting is fairly easy. Whether it’s a large portioned zip-lock or small cube, run the frozen food under some warm water or pop them into the microwave. It’s important to heat them up to moderate temperature to avoid burning the dog.
Tip #: Store The Food In A Cool Dry Dark Place
When storing dog food, always remember that bacteria is your enemy.
And where do you find bacteria? In places that are humid.
Thats why its important to store your food in a cool, dry placeand avoid places where the food could get wet or too hot .
Storage at temperatures of 120°F for more than 48 hours can accelerate the normal degradation of the vitamins.
You should also avoid sunlight as much as possible, since light will increase the speed at which the food degrades.
Given these tips, a kitchen closet or pantry makes a great storage place for dog food. Just run the A/C in the summer to keep the food from spoiling due to the heat.
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Storing Wet Dog Food In The Fridge
If an entire can of dog food is too much food for one feeding, the opened can will hold up very well in the fridge. The food will stay in good condition in refrigerators set at a temperature between 40 and 45 degrees.
Depending on the particular brand and formula, owners can keep the open can in the fridge for five to seven days. With that being said, it’s important to take a few additional steps to ensure maximum freshness and prevent contamination of other foods.
The main goal of storing the opened food in the fridge is to retain moisture and prevent air exposure. If not protected in the fridge, the food will dry out.
There’s also the possibility of mold spores growing on the surface. The best way to avoid this is to reseal the can. Plastic can covers are a great option for owners that frequently store cans. They snap onto the top of the aluminum can and create a tight seal.
This method also helps to prevent the smell of the food from permeating to other foods in the fridge. Owners will find this tool a worthy investment to avoid that dog food smell.
Another option is to use plastic wrap. High-quality wrap has similar properties to the plastic cap. It prevents moisture from escaping while creating an effective barrier against oxygen and smells.
If owners don’t have those two around, a plastic zip-lock bag will do. They excel at keeping moisture in, but will still allow air and smells to travel through.
Tips For Keeping Wet Dog Food Preserved For A Long Time
1.Store wet dog food in airtight dog food storage containers or use a plastic wrap to keep the food fresh.
2.Refrigerate wet dog food once opened to avoid food spoiling.
3.If youre using leftovers, only use them for a week before freezing the rest or making new batches of homemade mixes.
4.You can put the leftover food in an airtight bag and freeze it to ensure the food lasts as long as possible.
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Choose The Right Method
Freezing a hunk of food is going to cause problems later as you desperately try to thaw it out. Instead, consider how youll serve it and freeze it to facilitate that method.
- Take your wet food from its packaging and divide it into the portion sizes your dog needs. Freeze these portions separately so that when you thaw them out, youre thawing an entire portion on its own.
- Another method is to freeze bite-size pieces into something like a silicone ice tray. You can pop out just enough to thaw for a meal each time.
- Freeze portions in flatter forms, such as in plastic bags. The flatter they are, the easier they are going to thaw.
- Place food in the fridge to thaw 24 to 48 hours ahead to help keep food safe. You can also place the food on the counter at room temperature a few hours before you serve it to finish thawing.
- If your dog prefers warm food, you can thaw food gently in the microwave, taking care not to overheat it. Stir thoroughly and allow it to sit before serving to ensure there are no hot spots.
Follow all the right precautions to ensure your dogs food stays good and develop a system so that you always have food ready for your dog to eat.
Leaving Food Out For Feeding
Ideally, dogs will consume all of their food once it’s given to them. However, that’s not always the case. While dry dog food can stay out in the open for days or weeks, wet food is more susceptible to mold and bacteria growth.
Leaving this food out for prolonged periods of time will lead to contamination. Because it has high levels of moisture, it will go bad in only a matter of hours.
Owners should keep an eye out on their pooch as they eat. If they don’t finish all the food in one sitting. there’s still a window of time where it’s good to eat.
Owners can leave the food out in the open for up to four hours before it gets sketchy. The dog may choose to finish up their meal in a couple of hours, so it’s good to give them that opportunity.
After four hours are up, owners should discard of the leftover food and clean the dish. Wet canned food should be placed in a clean bowl with every feeding to ensure that leftover remnants don’t contaminate the new meal.
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Common Problems With Dog Foods Past Their Expiration Dates
Dog foods tend to undergo a lot of changes, once they age. Such changes can have an impact on your dog, especially in terms of his health and level of energy. With that in mind, it is crucial for you to be aware of the common problems associated with expired dog foods aside from checking them for mold and bacteria. By knowing these problems, you can decide whether you should feed the food to your dog, even when it expires.
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Gamma2 Vittles Vault Airtight Container
The Gamma2 Vittles vault airtight container is made with heavy-duty BPA-free HDPE plastic. It comes with a free measuring cup. The container has an airtight seal that is used for storing dog food from harsh elements and pests and locks in moisture to keep it fresh and flavorful. The measuring cup is a convenient addition to the container. Pet owners can dispense proper amounts of food for dogs and avoid dog food waste with this airtight container.
The handles design makes it easy to lift and transport to other places. The spinning mechanism makes sure that the container is sealed. Walmarts website shows exceedingly favorable reviews the cans durability is particularly impressive.
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Health Benefits Of Wet Dog Food
There are many health benefits of wet dog food. One is that it helps to maintain the ph balance in your pups digestive system, which will help them have better stool quality and less gas! It also contains all-natural ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that can improve their physical condition from the skin down to teeth and nails.
Another benefit is that this type of food has lower fat content than dry varieties itll be healthier for both you and your pup when they eat these types of foods because there wont be as much cholesterol or saturated fats going into their bodies.
Store The Opened Canned Food In Airtight Containers
Most people think that after opening some canned food that they can just put it in the fridge and it will be good for a long time. The problem is that canned food that is placed in the fridge will have some condensation due to the temperature differences. Condensation is basically small water droplets that will actually start to rust the can as it contains iron. So if you have ever wondered why your canned food tastes like metal after a couple of days in the fridge then this is the reason.
Once you close off the contents of the canned food in an airtight container you will prolong its shelf life, especially if you place it in the fridge. When it comes to what kind of airtight container you can use you have several options like zip lock bags, mason jars, or plastic containers. No matter what kind of airtight container you use make sure that the container is closed correctly. A good thing to think about is the size of the container, generally speaking, you should use a container in which the contents of the canned food fit but doesnt have too much empty space.
If you store a small amount of canned food in a large container then it will spoil as there will be enough air in the container to allow bacterial growth, even if it is in the fridge. If you are wondering if you can eat canned dog food then check out my recent article Can humans eat dog food in an emergency? .
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Morezi Dog Treat And Food Storage Bin
The IRIS USA airtight pet food container is a plastic container with wheels. The containers design is simple and convenient and the wheels allow the larger-sized containers to move easily. IRIS USA Airtight pet food container is available in multiple sizes and thirteen different colors. The built-in airtight seal guarantees that the food will remain preserved from humidity, moisture, and small insects. The reviews indicate that the bin is functional and easy to use. Most customers agree that it is very convenient for their daily needs.
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.
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Q7 How Can I Tell If Dog Food Is Spoiled
If you see any of these signs of food, then your pets food is probably spoiled:
- Mold growing on the surface. This can also indicate that theres moisture in the container. It should be kept in an airtight bag or wrapped up tightly to prevent bacterial growth from happening.
- A strong rancid odor, which could mean bacteria has grown and caused spoilage. If this happens with steel cans, dispose of them right away because they wont last as long once opened.
- Swelling around the seal if the package looks bloated, then something may have gone wrong inside, so dont consume anything from it without consulting a vet first for the advice! It will probably still make your pup sick even though it doesnt look as appetizing.
- The food is slimy or sticky this usually means that its old and should be thrown away promptly.
How Long Does An Open Can Of Dog Food Last
The answer to this question is not very long! As soon as you open a can of pet food its fair game for bacteria. Just as you should not leave wet dog food sitting out for your dog very long, you should not leave a can of dog food sitting out exposed. Cover the can and store it in your refrigerator after opening it. If may be good for up to seven days though most canned food is better if your dog eats it within 3-4 days.
If you dont think your dog can eat the entire can of food in a few days, we suggest that you freeze small portions of the food and thaw them later as you need them.
If you have opened a can of dog food and left it sitting out at room temperature, throw it away if its been sitting out for more than four hours. Make sure you clean your dogs dish before you re-use it.
Even though it costs a little more to buy smaller cans, it can be a good idea to buy your dog small cans of food instead of the big cans if he cant eat all of the food in a large can in a short time.
Canned dog food can last a very long time if it is stored in a cool, dry place. After it is opened, be sure to put the uneaten food in your refrigerator. It can last up to seven days in the refrigerator after its been opened. If you have a small dog that cant eat large meals, it can be a good idea to buy small cans so you dont have to save leftover dog food in the refrigerator.
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Q2 How Long Does Wet Dog Food Last In The Freezer
Canned wet dog food will stay fresh for 12 months in the freezer. But this all depends on what type of dry dog food they are eating . Packeted/boxed varieties typically have a higher nutritional value than canned varieties, which means theyll stay good longer because there is less air inside them.
So keep any uneaten food in a plastic container properly sealed and away from other foods to keep it safe from spoiling.
Q16 What Is The Best Way To Find Out How Long An Opened Canned Dry Cat Food Has Been Sitting Around
To find out the exact best by date of a can, you need to look at the bar code or the circle around it. You should be able to easily tell if it has a capital letter B or small number 1. .This is considered an unopened product and lasts about one year in your pantry if properly stored.
And, if opened products are kept for more than three days after opening them, then they should also be thrown away since harmful bacteria could have started growing inside them already.
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Buddeez Pet Food Dispenser
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Buddeezs pet food dispenser is a plastic container that keeps the dog food safe from harsh environments. The food dispenser offers the user a bag-in feature that allows you to keep the dog food in its original packing before placing it inside. The innovative design of the dispenser shows a handle on the outside to help hold the box easily. A dispenser and a separate opening on the lid allows you to effortlessly pour or scoop out the food. The reviews on Walmarts website show that the majority of the users are satisfied with the product.
Keeping Things Fresh: Pet Food Storage Guide
Your furry buddy likely comes running at the sound of his favorite food being opened because it tastes so yummy. To keep things that way and to ensure that his food stays fresh and safe, its best to store it in ambient temperatures and in air-tight containers. Here, youll find tips and tricks to keep your canine companions food fresh and tasty. Follow these pet food storage tips to always ensure your pup is eating food thats both yummy and safe.
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