Storing pet food and keeping it safe from pests is a very important task. The last thing you want is to feed your pets something that is past its expiration date or that has been infested with insects. Follow these tips to learn how to store pet food properly.
Dry Pet Food Storage
Dry pet food is a convenient way to feed your pet, but you’ll need to take certain precautions when storing it. Here are some tips for properly storing your pet’s food:
Store in a Cool and Dry Place
Store your dog food in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in the garage or near windows, where heat and sunlight can affect the quality of the food. If possible, store the opened bags in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag. If you’re not sure whether your pet food has been contaminated with moisture, check for signs of mold growth on the surface of the bag. If you see any mold growth, discard all of the contents immediately.
Keep It Airtight
Keeping your pet’s food in an airtight container will help keep it fresh and prevent bugs and other pests from getting into it. You can use any size bag or container that can be sealed tightly. We recommend glass or stainless steel bins and buckets as some plastics contain BPA and metals can expose the food to lead. The container should be large enough to hold all of your pet’s food so that you don’t have to refill it often.
Look for a Durable Storage Container
If you’re looking for a way to store dry pet food, consider finding a sturdy container. The best dry pet food storage containers are made of stainless steel or plastic and have tight lids that seal in the freshness of your pet’s food. If storing in a plastic bin, keep the dog or cat food in the bag the food was purchased in and place the bag inside the container to lock in moisture and avoid contamination of your pet’s food with plastic exposure.
For pet food safety, these containers should also be able to withstand high temperatures and moisture, which helps keep your pet’s food fresh and dry. The container should also be easy to clean and keep sanitary, especially if you don’t have time to wash it after every use.
Freeze the Excess Food
There are many reasons to freeze dry food. One of the main reasons is to extend its shelf life. If you have a large bag of dry pet food and only need a few cups at a time, it can be difficult to know how long the product will stay fresh. By freezing the excess food, you can be sure that it will last as long as possible.
Freezing also makes it easier to divide the food into smaller portions for easy feeding. You can use an ice cube tray or other reusable containers to store smaller portions in your freezer. This makes it easy to thaw out just enough food for each meal without having to worry about wasting any leftovers.
If you’re planning on using up all of your dry food within a couple of months, there’s no need to freeze it ahead of time. However, if you have more than you need in storage or plan on storing it for longer periods of time, freezing is a great way to keep it safe from spoiling quickly.
Store the Food off the Floor
Pests like ants, cockroaches, and rodents will crawl up onto the shelves and into your pet food bags if they can get into them. So make sure you put your dog or cat food at least 6 inches off of the ground or higher than anything else in your home. If you have any cabinets above where you keep your pet food stored, then make sure that they are closed tightly as well.
How To Store Wet Pet Food
Wet pet food is generally more perishable than dry pet food. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week, but it’s best to use it within 3-5 days. If you don’t use it within that time frame, you’ll have to either freeze or discard it.
Keep it Airtight and Cold
When storing wet pet food, make sure that you keep it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. This will prevent moisture from getting in and making the food spoil too quickly. If you want to store wet pet food for longer than a week, then you’ll need to freeze it instead of keeping it in the fridge.
What Happens When You Do Not Store Pet Food Properly?
Pet food is a sensitive product that can easily spoil if not stored properly. When you do not store pet food properly, there are many things that can go wrong with your pet’s diet. Here are some of the things that happen when there is poor pet food storage.
It Attracts Pests
Pet food attracts pests like mice and rats, who will eat it and leave it for other pests to enjoy. This can lead to an infestation of pests in your home if you don’t store your pet food properly.
It Spoils Easily
Pet food contains essential nutrients that are needed for your pet’s health. If these nutrients are not stored properly, they will spoil quickly and become unusable for your pet. This can cause health problems for your pet and may even lead to death if left untreated.
It Loses Nutritional Value
Pet food contains essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for your pet’s health as well as taste buds. If these nutrients are not stored properly, they can lose their flavor and nutritional value, which may cause your pet to stop eating the food altogether.
As pet owners, one of the most important things we have to do is store food properly. In order to make sure that our pets will always have food available, we need to keep our supplies organized and maintained in a healthy manner so that nothing is wasted or spoiled. As a distributor of pet food and supplies for dogs and cats, you can trust us at BlackPaw Pet Supplies to have what you need when it comes to storing pet food properly. Give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you.