Store dog food in a dry and cool place as much as possible

The freshness of food is very important for a dog's appetite and health. When we buy dog food, it is impossible to buy just the amount the dog will eat each time. Therefore, proper storage of dog food is an important task, especially in summer when high temperatures accelerate food spoilage, so attention to dog food storage is even more crucial.

If you use a feed storage bin, please put the packaging inside it together for storage. This is because the feed packaging helps prevent oxidation and moisture damage to the contents. Some companies use better packaging, including oxygen barrier bags made from petroleum products. This kind of packaging is very effective at isolating oxygen and moisture. After feeding, squeeze out as much air as possible, reseal, or fold the opening very tightly before clipping it. The original dog food packaging has some information marked, such as barcode, batch code, and expiration date. These markings are very important, especially if your dog has an upset stomach and you suspect it is related to the feed.

Do not pour the feed directly into the storage bin. This is a very common but dangerous way to store feed. Residual fats and oils from the previous batch will stick to the bottom and sides of the feed storage bin, causing rancidity and contaminating newly purchased feed. Harmful chemicals from PET plastic food containers can seep into the dog food over time. Repeated direct use of the storage bin increases the risk of mites, mold growth, and bacterial contamination, which may cause food poisoning, vomiting, and/or severe diarrhea.

Store in a cool, dry place such as inside a kitchen cabinet. Avoid storing in areas with large temperature fluctuations, which cause the feed to absorb excessive moisture! Do not store opened dry dog food in warm, humid places or under sunlight; heat and moisture promote mold growth and cause fats in the feed to become rancid. If the dog food packaging comes into contact with water and makes the food wet, it is best to dispose of it as soon as possible.

It is best to put the packaging bag together inside the storage bin

Be cautious when storing dog food in the refrigerator. The refrigerator increases moisture content in dry food. If you want to store it in the fridge, please use vacuum bags designed for kitchen use to prevent exposure to moisture. If you do not have a vacuum sealer, store small portions in zipper bags or small airtight food containers, only enough to last your dog a few days at a time.

It is best to store dog food in glass or stainless steel plastic food containers. Glass and metal pet food containers are very effective at isolating oxygen and humidity. PET plastic food storage containers may not always effectively store food, as oxygen gradually permeates polyethylene containers over time. Metal or glass dog food storage containers are suitable for short-term storage of a few days’ worth of feed and treats.

Avoid buying a large quantity of unopened dry dog food at once unless absolutely necessary. If you do purchase large amounts, be sure to store it in a sealed pet food container. Unopened dry dog food can be stored for 4 months to 3 years, depending on manufacturers, formulas, and whether preservatives are added. Unopened dog food (containing natural preservatives) typically has a shelf life of about one year.

Opened canned food can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days. Leftover canned food should be placed in airtight food containers before refrigeration. However, if more than three days have passed, whether there is food left or not, do not feed it to your dog again.