- Buy only one bag at a time. …
- Keep the food in the original bag. …
- Store in a cool, dry place. …
- Store dry food in a high location. …
- Limit exposure to air. …
- Don’t mix old food with new food. …
- Storage containers and bowls for kibble should be washed between refills. …
- Rinse and dry food containers and bowls thoroughly.
The most challenging aspect of switching a dog from dry dog food to wet dog food is that once opened, wet foods do not have a long shelf life. This is why many dog owners choose to feed their dogs wet foods.
Wet dog food does not typically last very long because it is typically packaged in a can for portion control. For this reason, the majority of wet dog food labels advise you to refrigerate the food after opening it and to feed your dog within a certain period of time to maintain freshness.
Wet dog food can be stored in a variety of creative ways in this article, so you can make sure it stays fresh until your dog’s next meal.
How Long Can Canned Dog Food Stay in the Fridge?
As PetMD vet Dr. Jennifer Coates advises, opened canned dog food shouldn’t sit in the fridge for over seven days. The vet further recommends using canned dog food within four days of opening, at least if you want your dog to consume fresh and nutritious food.
Giving your pet dog canned food that has been kept for longer than a week is not advised because the food won’t be wholesome or tasty. If the fridge doesn’t have the right conditions for long-term storage, bacteria could contaminate the food as well. Dr. Coates advises to discard any opened canned food that has been kept in the refrigerator for more than seven days.
What Is the Best Container To Store Opened Canned Dog Food?
The Airtight Storage Container I Use
The best container to store canned dog food is the original container. Using a can cover to seal the top part is highly recommended as it’ll help keep the food airtight, thus preventing moisture, air, and contaminants from creeping in.
As an alternative, you could tightly seal the foil around the can’s opening and fasten it in place with a rubber band.
It is best to use high-quality plastic containers to store canned dog food because, unlike low-quality, inexpensive containers, they don’t impart flavors or odors to the food.
For small cans, here is the container I recommend. For taller cans, go with these round containers from Amazon.
Another option is to get a silicone stretchy cover for the tops of cans, like these, also found on Amazon. I use them all the time for soda cans and soups. A Pink Lid for a Girl Dog
Plastic, Metal, and Ceramic Containers
When wet dog food is opened, the moisture content can quickly evaporate, causing the food to become dry and clumped together. If the food is not kept in an airtight bag or container, the nutrients like vitamins, fats, and minerals can also spoil quickly. After opening the can of wet dog food, you can transfer the contents into a ceramic, metal, or plastic container made without BPA and with an airtight lid that seals tightly.
The wet dog food can be stored in these containers in the refrigerator or freezer, which helps delay food spoilage. To prevent cross-contamination, it is crucial to keep your hands clean as you transfer the wet food into the container and to keep the container clean by washing it after use.
Only the can that has already been opened from a batch of wet dog food can be combined. Up until the expiration date, the unopened cans of wet dog food can be kept in a dark cabinet.
You can freeze any remaining wet food in an airtight container after you’ve opened a can of wet dog food if your dog doesn’t like it or you prefer to switch up the types of wet dog food they consume. The wet dog food will likely last longer this way than it would in the refrigerator.
The only drawback to this method is that the texture of the wet dog food will change, and the thawing procedure necessitates the addition of boiled water into a metal or ceramic bowl and a brief cooling and thawing period before the mixture is fed to your dog. Remember that the method of freezing can only extend the shelf life of the opened can of dog food by a week or two, and that the food should not be frozen after it has gone bad.
FAQ
How do you store wet dog food?
Store opened cans of wet dog food in the fridge. Use a plastic pet food lid made to fit the top of the can to keep them moist and prevent odor from spreading to other foods. In the absence of one of those, you can use plastic wrap or a zip-seal bag, but they don’t effectively contain odors like a lid does.
Can wet dog food be left out?
Storing Canned Dog Food After being opened and left at room temperature for four hours, canned food should be thrown away.
Do dogs like cold wet food?
According to Purina, “you might think about microwaving wet foods (out of the can) for a brief period of time.” But be careful not to serve food that is too hot or cold. There are owners who warm their dog’s cold food to simply return it to room temperature or a little bit higher.