How to Store Dry Dog Food Properly

Anyone who has a dog knows how much they eat, especially the larger breeds. Luckily, these days we are blessed with many options to keep our furry friends well-fed, with sites like Visionarypet offering the option to order in bulk and have dog food delivered to your home. However, this creates another challenge: how do you best store the large amounts of dog food that you have on hand?

Properly stored, you can keep dry dog food for quite some time without it going off or losing its nutritional content. To do so, though, you’ll need to make sure that you take certain steps to ensure you are storing it properly.

How long can you store dry dog food?

The length of time that you can safely store dry dog will vary, and this will depend on the brand, as well as other factors. Every different brand and type of dog food has its own ingredients and preservatives. The packaging and packing methods also vary from brand to brand, which can affect the life of the product.

Because of these differences, you may use this article as a guide, but it is also important to check the use-by date stated by the manufacturer on every product you buy. You should also read the manufacturer’s suggested storage instructions as certain products may have specific requirements. Also keep in mind that if you are not sure if your dog’s food is still ok, it is better to throw it away in case it has gone bad and could make your dog sick. After all, it is better safe than sorry!

Tips for Properly Storing Dry Dog Food

1. Keep it in its original packaging

As mentioned, different dry dog foods may have specific storage instructions. Additionally, manufacturers often invest significantly in developing the best packaging to store their products for maximum shelf life. This means that a product’s own packaging is often the best way to store them. It is a good idea to continue to store dry dog food in its own packaging even once it has been opened. You can do this by lowering the whole package including packaging into a sealable container.

2. Store open food in a container

Once you’ve opened a pack of dry dog food, it is important to store it in an air-tight container in order to maintain freshness. You can still keep the food in its original packaging, but you should ensure that you put the food inside its packaging into a container that will keep air exposure and moisture at bay, as this will prevent it from spoiling. If the food comes in resealable packaging you can store the food in the original packaging, but make sure that it is tightly and completely resealed each time so as to keep it air tight. However, a solid, airtight container is the best option to ensure it is properly sealed, as well as protecting it from rodents and insects.

3. Keep food in a cool, dark place

Whether storing your dog’s food in an air tight container, in its original packaging, or both, it is important that you keep it in a cool place. Temperature changes or too much heat can cause dry dog food to spoil or deteriorate, losing its nutritional properties. You should also keep the dog food out of direct light, which can also affect temperatures and cause dry dog food to go off. Storing the food in an opaque container can also help to make sure that the food stays completely out of the light.

4. Adjust use-by dates once opened

The manufacturer’s use-by date that is shown on the packaging is a good guide as to how long you can store the food as long as it remains unopened. However, you should be aware that once you open the packaging, the use-by date no longer applies. Experts recommend that dry dog food should be kept for no longer than a month after opening, and is only good for that long if it is properly stored. Be sure to also check the manufacturers guidelines as to how long the food should be kept once opened, as this can vary between products.

5. Keep the container clean

It is also important that you store your dry dog food in a clean container. This means thoroughly cleaning it before refilling it, and cleaning in between if needed. However, it is all too common for dog owners to simply pour new dog food into the container without cleaning it, which can cause bacteria, mould and other undesirable elements to grow here. As an additional note, make sure that you completely empty the container before refilling it. Otherwise, the dog food down the bottom could end up being stored for far too long and become stale or spoil.

Author: Sophie G

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