Unlocking the Potential of Bella Dry Dog Food What You Need to Know
Can you freeze dry dog food? How to store dog food properly
If youre worried about keeping your dogs food as fresh as possible for longer and wondering whether you can freeze dry dog food, this guide will fill you in on how to store wet and dry food to ensure it lasts while also maintaining its nutritional value.
Diet is a top priority for dog owners. Its not only important to research and buy the best dog food for your pooch so that you know that theyre eating healthy, balanced meals, but you also need to think about storing their food properly so that it stays fresh and doesnt go bad, making your pet ill.
If youve ever asked yourself does dog food expire the answer is yes. Most dog food packaging will have an expiry date on it and if you dont follow this advice your dog could end up with an upset stomach, food poisoning or worse.
Once the pack is open and if not stored correctly, dog food will perish even faster as its affected by air, moisture and room temperature. So, heres what you need to know about storing your dogs food and keeping it fresh for longer.
How to store wet dog food
Depending on the brand a can of closed wet dog food can last anything from a few months to a few years. However, once its open, it needs to be stored properly and even then it will only be good for three to five days.
Check the expiry date on the can to make sure its still in date when opening. Then make sure its stored in an airtight container and put in the fridge straight after its opened.
How to store dry dog food after opening it
While dry dog food lasts longer than wet dog food, it is still perishable and needs to be stored in the right way. Heres what to do to make sure it stays as fresh as possible:
Seal the bag
Once you open the bag of dog food, youll need to check its sealed properly in order to keep out any air or moisture as this is how bacteria gets in. Roll down the sides of the bag and seal it tightly using a bag clip.
Keep it in an airtight container
If kibble is exposed to air, the oxygen breaks down the oils in the food, which speeds up the process by which it goes bad. To prevent this from happening, keep the bag of dog food in an airtight container.
The best options for these are stainless steel or glass as they have better seals, are easier to clean and last longer. If you do choose to use a plastic container you will need to keep it clean and dry and replace it regularly as the chemicals in the plastic can seep into the food.
Leave it in the original packaging
Instead of emptying dog food out of its bag and into a container, place the whole bag into the container. This will add an extra barrier to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Plus, keeping the original packaging means you have the expiry date and manufacturer details in case there is a problem with the food.
Clean the container regularly
Before you place the dog food in the container make sure you wash it using hot soapy water or white wine vinegar, rinse it and dry it thoroughly. When you buy a new bag of dog food, dont mix it in with the previous bag. Rewash and dry the container to prevent oils building up and turning the food rancid and to stop mold from forming due to excess moisture.
Store it somewhere dry
Store the dog food somewhere dry and cool such as a pantry nowhere hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (you may want to avoid garages and sheds). This will prevent moisture causing mold and high temperatures breaking down the nutrients in the food.
Freeze it
If youre worried about dry dog food going bad, buy it in bulk and freeze it so that it is preserved for longer.
How long can you keep dry dog food for?
Unopened dry dog food may last from 12 to 18 months, but once opened it may only be good for as little as two to six weeks. Check the expiry date to be sure. If there is no expiry date it is best not to take a risk and to throw the dog food out as you dont want your dog to get ill.
Dry dog food that has gone bad may start to smell bad or change texture. You may notice mold on the inside of the bag. If it looks and smells fine, but your dog wont eat it, this may also be a sign that its past its sell-by date.
Can you freeze dry dog food?
Not only can you freeze dry dog food, but it is a great way to keep it fresh for longer. It can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for six to nine months. Simply take it out in small quantities and defrost.
Can you store dry dog food in ziplock bags?
We wouldnt recommend storing dry dog food in ziplock bags unless you are freezing it as the seal is not airtight enough. If you are using them to freeze dry dog food, buy smaller ziplock bags so you can get more air out of them and to avoid attracting extra moisture as the food defrosts from the inside.
This will also allow you to divide the food up into smaller portions to take out as needed instead of defrosting a big bag. Instead of storing the bags in the freezer on their own, place them inside an airtight container for a double barrier. The best way to freeze dry dog food is to use a vacuum sealing machine so that no air can enter the bag.
Can you freeze dog food in a Kong?
The Kong chew toy is a great way to give your dog food or treats while keeping them stimulated as they attempt to extract the food.
A Kong can be stuffed with anything that is safe for your dog to eat all in moderation. Try mixing wet food with kibble and then topping with a treat such as peanut butter or cream cheese. Once stuffed put the Kong inside a sealed container and freeze.
For a full list of recipes you can try out at home see our guide to Kong fillers.
How do you freeze-dry dog food?
Freeze-dried food is raw dog food (using fresh, raw ingredients such as meat, fish, eggs and vegetables) which has had the moisture removed from it using low temperatures and high pressure. This alternative to a raw food dog diet provides your pet with all the nutrients it needs in a meal that is designed with a longer shelf life in mind.
You can buy freeze-dried dog food online, but you can also make it yourself. Once you have chosen your ingredients (make sure you research recipes for a nutritious, balanced meal) cook these in a crock put on a low heat for eight hours. Once cooked, mash the ingredients together, cool and then divide the mixture into smaller portions.
Using a freeze-dryer or vacuum chamber freeze-dry the portions and then store them in an airtight container. Remember to label the portions with the meal name and date they were put in the freezer so that you eat the oldest ones first.
How much freeze-dried dog food should you feed your dog?
Although freeze-dried dog food has many health benefits for your pet because it is made up of raw, natural ingredients, this also means it is not as easy to digest. Make sure you research the amount to feed your dog. This will depend on their weight and typical activity level of your pet.
If you are changing their diet to freeze-dried food make sure you incorporate freeze-dried food gradually (for example one meal a day over a 10-day period) and give your pooch plenty of water.
Dogs food go bad?
A simple and honest answer is yes!
It is important to know how long is dry dog food good for minimizing health risks. Dog food is still food. Like human food, they compose it of ingredients that come from natural resources and eventually breaks down.
If you are a human being with love for dogs through the depths of your soul, you might want to know how long dog food lasts.
Here are ten things you need to know about dog foods and how to keep them fresh:
Dog food usually spoils within a few days of opening it.
An opened canned dog food usually lasts for 7 days in the refrigerator. If it is not in the refrigerator, an opened canned dog food will last about 4 hours.
Dry dog food with an opened bag will last 4-6 weeks and should be consumed within that period. If its exposed to air, it may happen earlier than that. Keeping it in the freezer will make it last longer, according to experts.
I designed canned or dried dog food to last
Most dog foods found in the market are dried or canned. Sometimes, we find fresh frozen dog food in the supermarket freezers. However, the art of canning and dehydration had been utilized to make dog food last.
Thats already convenient for you. Even though with its design, it will still spoil when it has been taken out of its preservation container or has been introduced to oxidants.
Knowing how long is dry dog food good for, like an Unopened canned dog food which have a shelf life of two years, will enable you to buy manageable quantities accordingly. A dry dog food variation that hasnt been opened can stay fresh for 12-18 months.
Dog food contains anti-oxidants, but it will still spoil.
Its true that quality dog food contains antioxidants that prevent it from going rancid or bad. But thats only when the packaging is unopened.
Once opened, the anti-oxidants it contains slow breakdown and oxidants that cause spoilage (like rust in metals) can come in to play and make the dog food contaminated, spoiled or poisonous.
Dates on the packaging are there for a reason.
Contrary to popular belief, expiration dates are not just suggestions on when food might spoil. It has been tested by food makers to see how long their food lasts.
Following the stamped dates about how long is dry dog food for is the most sensible thing to observe all the time.
There was an exact science that came with it. Its the same for dog food. There is a possibility that you can stretch the dates to a few more weeks, but it will still go bad after you have opened it.
Discoloration happens when dog food is no longer good.
Molds can grow on dog food. Sometimes it becomes pale. When this happens, dont feed it to your dogs, just throw it away or incinerate it, so that other animals cant get their paws on it.
Plastic containers are not a good place for storing dog food.
Fats and oils that are contained in the ingredients of dog food are usually the first things that cling to the walls of the container.
Once that happens, these fat and oils will oxidize. Have you ever seen yellow stains on your plastic containers that dont seem to disappear, however you wash it?
Those are facts that have oxidized and went through the microscopic pores of the container. They are like viruses that spread out to new hosts when you put in new kibbles or treats in the container.
It is even worse when you dont wash the container. Plus, plastic has chemicals that react with oxidation, and it can harm your dogs in the long run. So, dont risk it.
If you dont wash their plates, dishes and containers, oxidation happens.
Think about the previous information. Oxidation happens the minute fat and oils hit the plastic containers, and chemical reaction happens. Same goes if you dont wash their dishes, whatever material it may be. If you keep replenishing their bowls without cleaning it first, the oxidation process happens faster because of the initial oxidation that happened in the previous meal they had. Its like you fed your dog poison.
Keep them in their original packaging.
I had designed dog food packaging to fight off spoilage. If you keep it in its original packaging, you limit the risk of having oxidation. But still you need to keep it closed or covered. If you want to keep the dog food in a plastic container for concealment, just place it in there with the original packaging.
The freezer is the best place to store dog food.
Whether dry or canned dog food that has been opened, the freezer is the best bet you can have in storing them. Food degradation slows down when its in a freezing environment.
Listen to your dogs behavior.
Even though we would like to believe that dogs eat anything, sometimes they tell us if there is something wrong with their food. They have high sensory detectors that tell them something can harm them.
If you see that they did not touch their food, check it for spoilage or molds, instead of scolding them. It would also be better to buy in small packaging than trying to save money on hauling big bags of dog food for penny-pinching reasons. It will save you more money by paying good attention to what you feed your dogs.
Is it important to know how long is dry dog food good for? In conclusion, dog food can go rancid and spoil when you dont pay good attention to it. Its a common mistake of most dog owners to think their dogs are invincible. Table food is all right in small controlled quantities.
Dogs have special needs. Special because they are dog needs and not human. We need to give them the love and care that they deserve for being good boys and girls, not just by providing them with any food. If we look out for our food as human beings, we need to look out for their food. A healthy and well-fed dog is a happy and loving dog.
Related Topic: Nutrition Guide: How Much Protein Does a Dog Need?
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