How To Store Your Pet Food To Reduce Loss Of Nutrition 

You know how chips and biscuits become stale and soggy when you leave packets unsealed? The same thing can happen to dog or pet food, too. 

Whether it’s dry kibble or wet gravies, determining how to store dog food is essential to reducing the loss of nutrition and keeping the food fresh. By storing pet food properly and accurately, you can help retain its nutritional value even in the long term, and keep your pet happy and healthy.

If you’re a first-time pet parent, you’re probably wondering, How do you store your dog food? Here’s a detailed guide to storing and preserving pet food as well as its nutritional components effectively. 

When it comes to getting pet food storage on-point, using the right kind of containers is key. Since most of us prefer depositing contents from the original bag to other containers, you may be wondering, Where do you store pet food?

Let’s find out! 

Wet Food

Wet pet food is usually gravy-like and it’s best eaten fresh. However, if you need to store away some for another serving, store wet food in metal can containers in the fridge. Make sure to use can lids to keep the food covered from moisture and other elements that could spoil the food like bacteria, once you’ve already opened a can up.

For can lids, materials such as plastic and silicone work nicely. They are easy to use and their transparent feature helps you monitor the food’s freshness when it’s in the fridge.

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Dry Food

Thinking about how to store dry dog food? The best way to make sure dry dog food doesn’t lose its nutrition and stays fresh for a longer time is to use airtight containers for storage. 

Having said that, it’s important to point out that when storing dry pet food in airtight containers, put the food in its original bag itself. This means you need to purchase an airtight container that is large and wide enough to comfortably fit the whole bag even with the lid on. 

While we usually look for plastic airtight containers for most dry food items, dog kibble is best stored in glass or stainless steel containers. Metal and glass keep dog food fresh, help retain its original condition, and prevent the loss of nutrition. 

By putting the bag in a metal or glass airtight container, you’re essentially storing dog food with two layers of protection from moisture, germs, pests, bacteria, and your dog’s hungry nose. 

Can I put dry dog food in the fridge? Since dry dog food is stored in containers in the original bag, you don’t need to store it in the fridge. If you do, the food might end up losing its texture and nutrition. 

Pet Food Storage Tips So It Doesn’t Lose Its Nutrition

Besides storing pet food in proper containers, it also helps to adopt some useful hacks that keep pet food fresh and unchanged over a period of time. Does dry dog food go bad after opening? Not if it isn’t stored nicely, used before its expiry date, and sealed right after its use each time. 

So, how do you store dog food to keep it tasty and intact? To make life easier on you, here are a few tips to prevent pet food from losing its nutrition and getting spoilt. 

Store Pet Food At The Right Temperature

You’ve put the bag of food in an airtight container, you’ve made sure the container and bag are tightly sealed off. 

However, where should pet food be stored? Here’s what you need to know: 

Typically, pet food, even in its respective containers, must be stored in a cool and dry place. Wet food goes into the fridge but dry food must be kept in a place that’s low moisture and isn’t too heated. Since humid and damp areas attract a slew of pests like roaches and bacteria, dog food is better off somewhere less moist. 

For instance, putting dog food beneath the sink in the kitchen is a bad idea since water leakages could destroy the food in no time. Similarly, storing pet food in the garage without air ventilation will turn dry food into mulch.

Refill Dog Food Containers Freshly 

If you see that your dog food is half empty, you may be tempted to top it up with new food to make it full. Quick tip? Don’t pour new food into existing or old food. This will ruin the quality of your pet’s meals.

Since old food packets could contain bacteria, germs, and other stale properties, mixing it with new food could turn the whole batch bad. Instead, wait for the existing container to finish completely before you refill it with fresh stock. 

Follow this method, and the new food packet will remain fresh and nutritious for a longer period of time. 

Keep Food Containers Clean 

Despite putting the original bag of dog food in the container, the contents of that bag can spoil and fester bacteria if the containers are dirty. 

To ensure freshness and suppleness, clean food containers regularly. If you see slime or dust collecting in the food containers, pull out the food bag and give the container a nice wash. Right after, let the container dry out completely and wipe it with a dry cloth to make sure you’re leaving any moisture or water droplets behind.  

Check For The Expiry Date

Most dog food brands have a shelf life of at least 1 year. However, if you don’t use it within 45 days of opening and you don’t store it correctly, the food begins to rot. 

Store Canned Food In The Fridge

How do you store pet food in the kitchen? Leaving canned or wet pet food out for too long will make way for bacteria to breed in the food. Always store canned foods in the fridge with can lids after opening. 

Avoid Mixing Old Food With New Food

As mentioned earlier, mixing old food with new food can spoil pet food quickly. Refill the container only when it’s completely over. The best way to make sure of this is to feed your dog sufficient portions each time. Also do not mix your food because there is a list of human foods dogs can’t eat which you need to remember.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You probably have several questions about how to store dog food. Here are some FAQs, answered! 

Is It Safe To Store Pet Food In Plastic Containers?

Since plastic is known to have adverse effects on the quality of dog food, avoid using plastic. Use containers made of metal like stainless steel to preserve the quality of dog food. 

How Long Can You Store Pet Food?

Opened canned food and wet pet food can be stored in the fridge for at least 5 to 7 days. Dry food, if stored properly, will last you at least a year, depending on its expiry date and date of manufacturing. 

Does Dog Food Need To Be Sealed?

If you want to preserve its nutrition and keep it from spoiling, make sure dog food is always sealed by a lid after opening. Additionally, never buy dog food that isn’t sealed. 

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know how to store dog food, you can make your stock last for a long time in good condition. 

If you were unsure about how to store pet food, wet and dry, we’ve given you all the information you’ll need to make sure your pets always have a safe, healthy meal whenever they need it.