6 Mistakes People Make When Storing Dog Food [ How to Avoid ]

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Storing dog food the wrong way can not only result in wasted food, but it can also harm your pet’s health and ultimately make them sick. 

In fact, improperly stored dog food has been linked to E. coli and salmonella outbreaks in the past, so it’s critical that you know how to properly store dog food if you want to avoid illness in your beloved pets as well as protect yourself from harmful bacteria. Follow these simple steps to avoid 6 mistakes when storing dog food.

Dog food can last for a long time if you keep it in the right conditions, but many people make mistakes when storing dog food that can reduce its quality or cause it to spoil. 

To avoid these six mistakes when storing dog food, consider storing it in an airtight container in your pantry or basement to keep moisture out and prevent pests from getting into it. 

Also, be sure to check the expiration date and replace dog food that’s already expired before opening a new bag. Your dogs will thank you!

What are the Mistakes People Make When Storing Dog Food [ 6 best Dog Food Storage ]

Not rotating dog food

Just like with food for people, your dog doesn’t want to eat dog food that has been sitting around too long. 

Most dog foods are good for a year before they need to be thrown out and switched with new bags. 

It’s important to always use up what you have before buying new bags of dog food. 

Old dog food can go rancid, which is bad for both your health and your pet’s health. 

If you buy in bulk, it might be even more important to avoid letting old dog food sit around! 

If your pet gets picky about her brand of food, that’s another reason why it might be smart to replace your supply every month or so — she may just not like how old bags taste or smell compared to newer ones.

Not using enough bags

You might think that, since you already have a 20-pound bag of dog food, adding another 20 pounds to your pantry won’t make much of a difference. 

You’d be wrong. Putting too much dog food in one spot not only takes up more space than it needs to but also exposes it to air and humidity. 

Humidity can lead to more rapid decomposition, which will leave your pup’s dinner spoiled before you even get home from work. 

Opt for several smaller bags and store them in different locations; 

it’s better to spread out your dog food for optimal freshness—just like you would with other foods in your pantry.

Not sealing properly

Many dog food Variety contains a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, it can go bad if you don’t store it properly. 

Always check your expiration dates to make sure they haven’t passed; once opened, dog food needs to be stored in airtight containers and disposed of within 1–2 days. 

You should also seal unopened bags or cans right after purchasing; ideally, you should keep them in a dry location away from extreme temperatures. 

Once sealed, dog food shouldn’t be left out on countertops; you should always move it to an upright container with a secure lid. 

If you need more information about proper storage techniques for your brand of dog food, check with your vet or pet nutritionist for help.

 Improper bag storage

If you’re storing dog food in bags, make sure they are not left out in open air; rodents can chew into them and contaminate your food supply. 

To prevent contamination, store dog food in a tightly sealed container or cabinet. 

In fact, you may want to consider storing dog food in a plastic bin with metal latches—they’re not very attractive but they can protect against moisture damage and insects that can destroy your dog’s food supply.

Leaving out on the counter

One of those most common dog food storage mistakes is leaving a bag out on the counter. Out on display, dogs will smell it and paw at it. It’s also an easy target for a pesky house guest. 

A better idea is to move your pet food into a low cabinet or pantry—where humans can’t get at it but Fido still can. 

The best place for storing dog food is in an airtight container in a cool, dry place where no one (including you) will be tempted to open it up and take a handful while cooking dinner.

Putting away unused bags

Dog food bags are often full of air. In fact, they’re meant to be. That’s why they’re sealed up airtight when you buy them; it keeps out pests, moisture and other contaminants that can lead to spoilage and contamination. 

If you leave a bag of dog food on its side or flat in a cabinet, you run into a couple of problems: that means your dog will have to eat from inside of a plastic bag (they don’t like that) and it’s likely to go stale more quickly than it should. 

The best solution? 

Store open bags of dog food upright in pet-food storage containers with lids as soon as you bring them home from the store (or pull them out of your own pantry)

Best Methods and Advice for the Storage of Dog Food

What more should you be doing besides making sure the dishes for your dogs are clean? 

The following advice will assist you in maintaining the quality and freshness of the various types of dog food that you purchase.

Raw Dog Food

It is not advisable to keep raw dog food in the refrigerator for extended periods of time. After it has been opened, you have only two days to utilise it.

The ideal place to store raw dog food is in the freezer, preferably in plastic containers that have lids and are designed to be used with freezers. 

If it is properly wrapped, raw foods that have been frozen will maintain their quality for around six months. After it has been thawed, use it no later than three days later.

Kibble / Dry Dog Food

Always store the dog food in its original packaging, such as bags. 

Their packaging normally contains helpful information for dog owners, such as the recommended serving size and expiration date, and these containers are typically constructed to seal out air and moisture.

After opening, reseal the bag to reduce the amount of oxygen and humidity that the kibble is exposed to. 

You can keep the dog food safe from vermin and oxidation by storing it in an airtight container after folding and clipping it and then putting it away.

Choose glass or metal containers over plastic ones if you want to keep the dog food in a container rather than the bag it came in. 

Plastic is not as durable as glass or metal. It’s possible for the kibble fat to get stuck to the plastic, which then gives off unpleasant smells and tastes and turns the kibble rancid. 

If you really have to keep it in a plastic container, you should just place the food bag in its whole.

Keep the dog food in a dry and cool location within the house. It should not be stored in regions where it might be exposed to heat, moisture, or humidity. Store the dog food in a location that is difficult for both your other animals and your children to get.

Dry dog food should not be mixed if it is old or fresh in order to prevent possible contamination of the newer food with germs and bacteria.

Wet / Canned Dog Food

Depending on the contents of the can, dog food that has been opened and stored in the refrigerator can be kept there for up to five days. 

Do you have any doubts about your ability to use the dog food within the allotted window of time? 

You might freeze it in individual pieces, then defrost them in the refrigerator the night before you want to use them.

It is not recommended to defrost food at room temperature, regardless of whether the meal is intended for people or animals. 

It’s only safe to keep an open can of dog food at room temperature for a few hours, in case you were wondering how long you may keep it there.

Because food stored in cans may acquire a different flavour with time, it is advisable to move the food to containers that can be sealed again or that are airtight.

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