Purchasing dog food in bulk offers several advantages. It is one of the best tips you can follow when shopping for supplies for your furry friend.
This shopping trick allows you to save money on dog food, ensure you always have enough stock to keep your canine well-fed, and avoid unnecessary or unscheduled trips to the pet store.
Stocking up on your pet’s favorite food can also work to your advantage if the brand is so popular that it constantly runs out quickly. However, stocking up on plenty of dry and wet dog food comes with one huge challenge: storing them properly so that they retain their good quality and continue to be safe for your pet’s consumption even after a long time.
Proper Dog Food Storage Methods and Tips
If you want to avoid wasting dog food and money and ensure your dog is always eating something healthy and safe, follow these best practices and tips for storing your pet’s favouite eats and treats:
1.Invest in good-quality airtight dog food storage containers
Maintaining the quality of opened or unconsumed dog food starts with storing them in the proper containers.
Because of how they are produced, kibbles have little or no water content and are sprayed with oils that break down when exposed to air. As a result, they go rancid quickly once the package is open.
You can prevent unconsumed kibbles from spoiling rapidly by keeping them in their original package, sealing it, and storing it in airtight containers.
When shopping for airtight food storage containers, you can choose between plastic and stainless steel.
If you want something easy to clean, more durable, and lasts longer, opt for a stainless-steel storage container.
2. Refrigerate untouched leftover wet food
If you only feed your dog half a can of wet food, keep the untouched leftover in the can and refrigerate. However, you need to take a few extra steps to maintain the freshness of the product and prevent contamination of other foods.
Transfer the wet food to an airtight storage container and refrigerate it immediately. However, if you want to keep it in the can, reseal it using a plastic can cover.
Plastic can covers snap easily onto the top of the aluminum cans and create a tight seal. With the can sealed more thoroughly, you prevent molds from growing on the surface. The additional cover also helps prevent the smell of the dog food from spreading to the other foodstuffs stored in the fridge.
You can use cling wrap to double-seal the can as well. This technique prevents moisture and smell from escaping from the leftover dog food.
Make sure you feed refrigerated wet food to your dog within seven days.
3. Clean pet food storage containers regularly.
Reusing containers for a new batch of leftover dry and wet dog food might be more convenient and faster for you, but it is definitely unhealthy and unsafe for your pet.
Always wash your dog’s food storage container between refills. This means avoiding topping up old leftovers with new ones. Following this practice prevents the oils from getting sour and contaminating the new food. It also helps keep molds, mildew, and bacteria away from the containers.
When washing the container, use hot soapy water or a mixture of warm water and white vinegar. Don’t forget to wash your dog’s food and water bowls and measuring cups daily as well to keep them safe from molds, mildew, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms.
Make sure you air or wipe dry all these utensils thoroughly since excess moisture can cause the growth of molds and mildew.
4. Store unopened dog food packages in a cool, dry location.
Exposing dog food to heat and humidity can affect their quality and freshness. High temperatures can accelerate the product’s degradation process, causing the loss of nutrients your pet needs to get from his diet.
On the other hand, humidity causes moisture and molds, which can make your furry friend sick. As such, always store your stock of pet eats and treats in a cool, dry, and preferably dark place. It is best to store unopened wet and dry dog food in a cool dark place, such as a cupboard or a pantry. Another option is to place them in the fridge or freezer.
If you are storing dog food in a pantry, avoid placing them on the floor. Put them on a table or shelf or inside a bin. Additionally, make sure your dog won’t be able to access their food’s storage place to prevent him from sneaking a snack and creating a mess in this area.
As a bonus tip, make it a habit to check the bag of kibbles and can of wet Dubai pet food before feeding them to your dog.
Throw away any can with deep dents, swelling, or air bubbles, which are all signs that the product’s safety seal has been compromised and bacteria is growing in the food.
Also, always check the package of dry dog food for tears or holes, which insects and pests can use to get into and contaminate the product, and can cause health problems for your pet.
Keep in mind that what you feed your canine friend is critical to his health. However, your storage practices can also make a big difference to his wellness and safety.
