Wet food is a delectable option for dogs. Typically, they are flavorful and packed with the necessities. Additionally, food in cans is typically more fresh than food in dry form. So what happens if the dog is unable to consume the entire can?
Dog owners who prefer to feed their furry friend wet canned food frequently ask this question. There are a few methods to extend the shelf life of that food and cut costs as a result, so don’t throw away the leftovers out of fear of them going bad.
Check the “best by” date before purchasing the dog’s favorite can of food. This date, which is frequently printed on the can’s bottom, can help owners determine how best to store the food.
It’s crucial to understand that this date does not have an expiration. It’s just a general guideline of the point at which the manufacturer believes the food will start to lose nutritional value. This basically means that it isn’t a big deal to feed the food a little after the specified date. However, it also has its downsides.
It is perfectly legal for stores to sell cans that are well past their prime because this date doesn’t indicate when the food will go bad. Owners frequently buy cans with packaged dates that are many years old.
Owners should always strive to purchase the freshest can possible. Owners can then store the food safely for a long time. Wet canned food’s shelf life varies significantly between manufacturers. Most of the time, this number isn’t even written on the can.
If properly stored, canned food typically has a shelf life of two to five years. Food should be kept in a dry and cool place.
Unopened cans don’t need to be refrigerated. It is safe to consume at room temperature like any other canned food because of the airtight can and added preservatives that keep out air and bacteria. Although storing it in an unheated garage or basement may be convenient, owners must make sure the temperature doesn’t fall below 50 degrees or rise above 100.
Owners can keep a supply of food for their dog with proper storage. Of course, it’s always a good idea to speak with the manufacturer and learn more about their specific shelf life.
Ideally, once their food is given to them, dogs will finish it all. However, that’s not always the case. Wet dog food is more prone to mold and bacterial growth while dry dog food can be left outside for days or weeks.
Contamination will result from keeping this food out in the open for an extended period of time. Due to its high moisture content, it will spoil in a matter of hours.
Owners should watch their dog while they eat. If they don’t finish all the food in one sitting. there is still a window of opportunity to eat.
Before it becomes shady, owners can leave the food out in the open for up to four hours. Giving the dog the option to finish their meal in a few hours is a good idea because they might decide to do so.
Owners should throw away any leftover food and wash the dish after four hours have passed. Every time you feed wet canned food, put it in a fresh bowl to prevent leftovers from contaminating the new meal.
The benefits of wet dog food
Given that wet dog food is frequently more enticing to dogs than dry, picky eaters may be persuaded to consume a full serving of nutritious food. Making your own dog food can give your dog access to a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
Wet foods are available in a wide range of flavors and ingredients, making it easy to select foods your dog enjoys or that won’t aggravate any allergies they may have. Changing nutritional density for pregnancy or seasonal changes like hunting or sporting season can be incorporated into the meals you give your dog.
Wet foods are more difficult to portion out and store. Few dogs consume a single can of wet food, so you’ll likely keep food in your refrigerator or freezer to account for the various portion sizes.
Once the package is opened, wet food doesn’t last as long as dried food. Once you break the seal, time starts to run out, so you’ll need a practical strategy for keeping your dog’s food fresh.
The short answer is yes. For a much longer period of time than it would at room temperature, wet food keeps well in the freezer. This may be a practical way to make the most of your wet food cans or pouches.
However, you must understand how to store your wet food and why you are doing so. With the right planning, you can avoid food waste and store your dog’s food conveniently while avoiding some of the inconveniences associated with serving wet food in the first place.
You can’t just freeze the cans. Since wet food contains a lot of moisture, it expands when it freezes. It might leak out of the can in the best-case scenario or, in the worst-case scenario, explode out of the can, leaving you with a massive mess to clean up.
Rather, open the can and divide the contents according to your dog’s serving sizes. Make sure that your food is secure and airtight by using freezer-safe bags or containers. Using items that stack well and thaw quickly will help you keep your food situation organized.
When you try to thaw out a piece of food that you’ve frozen, problems will arise. Instead, plan how you’ll serve it and freeze it so that it can be done that way.
Develop a system so that you always have food available for your dog to eat and take all necessary precautions to ensure that your dog’s food stays in good condition.
If you intend to freeze the food for your dog’s future meals, divide it into portions suitable for meals. The portion size depends on your little guys feeding requirements. Slide the portions into a plastic bag. You can put each portion into its own bag or pack as many as you can into the fewest number of bags. If you choose the latter, make sure to leave enough space between each portion so they don’t blend together and make it difficult for you to separate them later for your dog’s mealtime.
Take the food out of the freezer and thaw the meal portions in the microwave or with warm water. If you microwave them, only heat them to lukewarm temperature. Place your finger in the food several times to check that it is only slightly warm throughout. Don’t worry about defrosting anything if you intend to give your dog food-filled bones or bite-sized treats. Hell enjoy the snack frozen.
Sometimes those large dog food cans are too much for your dog to consume in a short period of time. Keeping the food in your freezer can help you save money by preventing you from tossing it in the trash after a few days, but only if you do it correctly.
Put the small, bite-sized pieces of the wet food into ice cube trays. This is useful if you intend to give your child frozen treats in place of regular meals. You can also place the bite-sized pieces of food into bags and separate them as you would his meal portions before placing the bags of food in the freezer.
Slide the food into the freezer. For the first few hours, if you’re putting bags of portioned food in there, be gentle and put the bags somewhere they won’t be bumped or tossed around. Although your dog might like it, you don’t want the portions to come together as one big chunk of food.
Is it okay to freeze wet dog food?
Unfortunately, freezing dry dog food and then thawing it can lead to the growth of mold. Can You Freeze Wet or Dry Dog Food? DON’T freeze wet dog food because doing so alters the food’s flavor and texture and may lessen its nutritional value.
FAQ
How do you store canned dog food after opening?
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.
How long can you freeze dog food?
Advice on Freezing Dog Food Frozen food is best served within six to nine months of being thawed in the refrigerator, though it can last even longer.
Can you put wet dog food in a Kong and freeze it?
If desired, seal the wet kibble inside the Kong by adding a spoonful of peanut butter, cream cheese, or wet dog food to the opening. Place the Kong in a zip-top bag and freeze it. Serve frozen.
Is dog food OK if frozen?
Dry dog food can be frozen, and doing so is a great way to keep it fresher for longer. For six to nine months, it can be kept in the freezer in an airtight container. Simply take it out in small quantities and defrost.