The majority of pet owners only consider the food’s safety and the ingredients used when giving dry food to their dogs. Very few pay attention to how to store the food. However, when exposed to moisture and high temperatures, dog food undergoes similar flavor, texture, and color changes as human food. Therefore, if you don’t store your dry dog food properly, it may quickly deteriorate and turn rancid, exposing your dog to a variety of health issues. We will highlight everything you need to know about long-term dry dog food storage so that it keeps your dog’s food fresh for as long as possible and provides the best nutritional value. Quick Navigation [.
What Causes Dog Food to Spoil
Most pet owners are aware of the dog food’s expiration date, but they frequently forget that once the bag is opened, this date no longer applies. According to studies, it is best to use dog food within three months of opening the package, even though it can be used one year after the date of fill.
This is due to the fact that once the package is opened, its freshness is exposed to various environmental factors. The three major causes of dog food spoilage include:
In the presence of air, the proteins and fats in dry dog food will degrade. The food will consequently turn rancid and pose a significant risk of bacterial contamination. When your furry friend consumes the food, these harmful bacteria could cause him to experience a number of health issues.
Dog foods, generally, have some moisture content in them. However, when they are exposed to too much moisture, the environment is ripe for the growth of mold and the fermentation of organic materials.
Bacteria also need moisture, in addition to oxygen, to multiply. As a result, kibble will start to smell bad, and your pet will probably avoid it. However, it’s crucial to watch out for these indicators because your dog might not always recognize that the food has gone bad.
Consuming food that has gone bad can result in food poisoning and other serious health problems.
Dry dog food contains fats that, when exposed to high temperatures, will start to oxidize. Free radicals produced by this process have the potential to seriously harm the health of your dog.
According to the FDA, the ideal temperature at which dry pet food is to be stored is less than 80°F (27°C). Also, do not keep the dog food near fire sources and stoves where there is excessive heat.
Vacuum sealing or vacuum packing is a type of packaging where the air inside is fully removed prior to sealing. This method of packing is widely accepted all around the globe to pack food.
Vacuum sealing, as the name suggests, is the process of vacuum-sealing the contents of a plastic bag. When the bag is full, the vacuum sealer completely removes the air.
As was previously mentioned, over time, food’s quality, taste, and odor can be impacted by exposure to air and moisture. Food is kept fresh and healthy by being vacuum-sealed against dehydration, excessive moisture, air, and other contaminants.
The shelf life of the food is significantly extended by vacuum sealing, lasting between 6 and 12 months. The food pack can remain fresh for up to two to three years if it is vacuum-sealed and frozen.
Vacuum packing keeps the product fresh and free of molds and fungi while preventing bacteria from growing on your food. Here are a few explanations for why this packaging technique is so popular:
Bacteria and fungi cannot grow without oxygen, so once the bag is vacuum-sealed, air and moisture are prevented from entering, making the environment unfavorable for their growth.
Additionally, the nutrients will not degrade and the food’s fats won’t oxidize, preventing the inside from going bad.
For foods that require some moisture content, such as wet dog food, vacuum sealing is a fantastic option. Vacuum-sealed bags cannot let air or moisture in or out, so the moisture content will remain constant until the bag is opened.
Freezer burn, a condition where frozen foods are harmed by exposure to air, is also avoided by vacuum sealing. Dehydration and oxidation cause this, which frequently happens when packaging is not secure. By preventing the entry of air or moisture, vacuum sealing prevents freezer burns.
Foods that are vacuum sealed remain fresh 3 to 5 times longer than those that are kept in plastic containers. If kept frozen, food in vacuum-sealed bags lasts for roughly two to three years. And 6 to 12 months if stored in other ways.
Vacuum seals are efficient food organizers. You can keep separate bags for different categories of food. Moreover, you can also see the contents inside vacuum bags.
How to Know if Dog Food Has Spoiled
The majority of dogs won’t eat spoiled food, but you should learn how to tell if it is or not (in case your dog doesn’t notice it).
The following are a few warning signs that dog food has spoiled:
How long will vacuum sealed dry dog food last?
Unopened canned foods retain their quality for two years after the date of manufacture, while unopened dry pet foods typically have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months. Plan to open and use the dog food before the expiration date by looking for it on the bottom of the bag or can.
FAQ
How do you store dry dog food long term?
Dry pet food can be preserved longer by using Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, but to prevent mold growth, you must continuously rotate your storage every three to four months (or until the expiration dates on the packages).
How long is dry dog food good for in a sealed bag?
Choose your bag sizes wisely because dry food should ideally be consumed within six weeks of opening the bag. You can leave out bowls of kibble for about a day, but make sure you don’t provide more than what should be consumed in that time frame.
How long will dry dog food last in Mylar bags?
However, even conventional dog food with a small amount of moisture can be kept for only 4 or 5 months. Additionally, our Mylar bags with an oxygen absorber can be used to store freeze-dried pet foods for up to 25 years.
How long will dry vacuum sealed food last?
The shelf life of your food is determined by its type, initial condition (freshness), and storage. Food that is vacuum sealed and kept in the freezer typically lasts for two to three years. That lasts an average of six to twelve months, which is much longer than other methods of storage.