How to Store Dry Dog Food Long-Term

It would interest you to know that dog food requires the same proper storage conditions as human food. And if you’ve got a large quantity of dry dog food in your possession, then you need to familiarize yourself with these properly curated tips on how to store dry dog food long-term. 

In this blog post, we will discuss among other interesting topics, the best practices for storing dry dog food for long-term use. Keep reading to find out more!

What Causes Dog Food Spoilage?

Dog foods do not spoil on their own, there are external factors that provide an enabling environment for bacteria to thrive, molds to grow, and pests to attack dog foods. To be able to store dog food long-term, it is important to know those factors that can cause the spoilage of dog food.

The causes of dog food spoilage can be classified into biological, chemical, and physical causes. 

1. Biological Causes of Dog Food Spoilage:

The biological causes of dog food spoilage include the activities of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, and yeast; damage due to insects, rodents, and pests, as well as the activity of dog food enzymes.

Microorganisms especially salmonella and pseudomonas bacteria have been one of the major causes of dog food recalls over the years. The Pseudomonas bacteria are the major cause of rancidity in dog food. Rancidity occurs when the fats and oils in dog foods are broken down in the presence of oxygen. It causes a change in the taste and smell of dog food.

Canned or wet dog foods are usually sterilized and all oxygen removed before being put into the market. If sterilization is not properly done, food spoilage can occur. Wet dog food with swollen cans usually contains gas produced by bacteria such as Clostridium, while spoilt unswollen canned food is likely to be due to the Bacillus bacteria.

Dry dog food can go bad after opening if not properly stored. A poorly stored dry dog food could get infested by pests such as weevils and moths. It could also grow molds, become rancid, and lose its taste and nutritional value as well as its safety for dog consumption. If such spoilt food is fed to dogs, it could lead to serious illness.

2. Chemical Causes of Dog Food Spoilage

The chemical causes of dog food spoilage include reactions with oxygen, light, and other constituents of the dog food. Oxidation is a chemical process whereby oxygen in the air reacts with the components in dog food. This process is responsible for rancidity. Exposure of dog food to light can cause the loss of vitamins and color. It may also favor rancidity.

3. Physical Causes of Dog Food Spoilage

The physical causes of dog food spoilage consist of temperature, moisture, and physical damage to containers. Temperature can directly affect the storage duration of dog food, as they’ve been found to break down fast at higher temperatures. 

The recommended temperature for storage is 50-70°F for cupboards and pantries, 34-40°F for refrigerators, and 0°F or below for freezers. Microorganisms grow faster at room temperature, hence, to slow their growth, store dog foods in a cool and dry place.

How to Store Dry Dog Food Long-Term

We now know that microorganisms, oxygen, moisture, light, and cracks in packages are the major causes of dog food spoilage during storage. 

To prevent spoilage, store dry dog food in airtight containers in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. Dog food that is stored in this manner will eliminate oxygen which is required by most bacteria to grow, multiply, and cause food spoilage.

It will also prevent the rancidity of fats in dog food; as well as prevent the breakdown of nutrients due to oxygen and the loss of vitamins due to sunlight. Here are 20 simple tips to help you store dry dog food long-term.

1. Ensure it’s Well Packaged.

Before you proceed to make payments for any dog food, take some minutes to critically look at the packaging. Check if there’s a tamper-proof company seal on the carton. If there’s a company seal, ensure that it hasn’t been broken. 

Look at the edges of the packet and confirm there are no open edges, no rips, tears or holes. A quick way to detect a punctured package(bags) is to press lightly. 

If it deflates and you feel the escape of air from the packet, then it’s damaged and there’s a strong likelihood of spoilage.

All these checks are necessary because for you to successfully store dry dog food long-term, the food must be properly sealed. Any packaging defect can create room for the entry of air and microorganisms, which can initiate the food spoilage process. 

2. Always Check the Expiry Date

While you check the package to be sure that there are no open edges, don’t forget to also look at the expiry date. You wouldn’t want to mistakenly feed expired food to your furry friend.

While some dog foods could still be safe for dog consumption after expiration, a lot of others aren’t. Raw dog foods and frozen dog foods usually have a short shelf life and are best consumed by dogs before the expiration date is attained.

We recommend that you always buy dog foods that have a long expiry date. The only time you should consider dog food with a short expiry date is when you’re sure your dog will exhaust it before it expires. 

But if the plan is to buy large quantities to store for long-term use, always go for food with a longer expiry date.

3. Choose Dog Foods with Natural Preservatives

Since the plan is to store dry dog food long-term, it only makes sense that we buy dog foods that contain preservatives. But there’s a catch to this. 

You will want to avoid artificial preservatives like ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), etc. as their safety in dog foods has been questioned. Ethoxyquin for one has been found to cause kidney damage in animals.

Instead, go for dog foods with natural preservatives such as vitamin E (tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and plant extracts like rosemary. These natural preservatives are capable of preventing the rancidity of fats and the breakdown of water-soluble nutrients in dog foods. 

However, unlike artificial preservatives, they are incapable of preserving food for a very long period. This means that dry dog food with natural preservatives usually has a shorter shelf life when compared with its artificially preserved counterpart.

4. Store Dog Food in Airtight Containers

One major way of preventing dog food spoilage is to prevent the entry of air. As we know, a lot of microorganisms are suspended in the air. Some of these microorganisms, especially bacteria like salmonella, have been implicated in dog food spoilage and poisoning.

Storing dry dog food in an airtight container will keep out air. The absence of air in the container will prevent the oxidation of fats in the dog food which would result in rancidity and loss of taste. This will also prevent the growth of molds, as well as the entry of pests like weevils and moths.

5. Choose Glass Containers Over Plastics

Glass containers though heavy, more expensive, and highly prone to breakage, are preferred to plastic containers. This is because plastic containers tend to leach out toxic additives into dog food. 

Plastics are also easily scratched and dented, which could create a haven for the accumulation of bacteria, molds, and food fragments. Some low-quality plastic containers can also be damaged or eaten by rodents, hence creating room for the entry of air and microorganisms.

“Should you decide to use a plastic container, ensure that you don’t take out the dog food from its original bag.” 

6. Always Store Dry Dog Food in its Original Containers

As much as possible, try not to take dog food out of its original container. This is because most original packages are specially designed to prevent air and moisture entry. 

Aside from that, original packages also carry important information such as expiry date, batch number, and list of ingredients. Should there be an incident of a dog food recall, you will need the information on the original package to be able to decide your next line of action.

Instead of taking the dog food out of its original container, try folding and clipping the opened end. You can then place it in an airtight glass, metal, or plastic container. 

One more benefit of storing dog food this way is that it will make cleaning the container easy. All kibble particles and fragments will remain in the original bag.

7. Use Opened Dog Food Within 6 Weeks

Regardless of how long the expiry date may be, we recommend that you limit the usage of dry dog food to 6 weeks after opening. This is because the longer it stays open, the higher the chances of contamination by air and microbes.

8. Freeze Some Dry Dog Food.

If you have more food than your pooch can consume, you can freeze some. To prevent the entry of moisture, we recommend that you use a vacuum sealer to seal the Individual package of dry dog food. 

An alternative method would be to put the food in a ziplock bag. And then wrap them up again in a polythene bag before storing them in the freezer.

9. Store Dog Foods Off the Floor

We recommend that you store all dog foods off the floor. A bag of dry dog food kept on a cold floor might get damp and then facilitate the growth of molds, and bacteria. Glass containers are best locked inside a cabinet, to prevent breakage. Plastics too should be stored off the floor, and also inside a cabinet if possible.

10. Store In A Cool, Dry Place

Exposure of dog food to fluctuating environmental temperatures can catalyze the breakdown of nutrients. High temperatures are known to cause the breakdown of nutrients in dog food. It can also cause the condensation of air to form moisture, which can contribute to food spoilage.

Hence, to guarantee the safety of dog food after long-term storage. It is best to store them indoors, in a place shielded from the direct rays of sunlight. Store dry dog foods in a cool and dry place. 

11. Do Not Mix Old Dog Foods With New Ones.

You may feel the need to keep a single container of dog food, by pouring the remaining quantity of old food into the container of new ones. Doing this may contaminate the new dog food. This is because there is a high chance that you may have germs, dust, moisture, etc in the old food.

We recommend that you finish feeding your dog the old food before opening up the container of new food. This will reduce the chances of contamination. Apart from the risk of contamination, mixing foods with different expiry dates can lead to feeding a mixture of expired and unexpired food to your dog.

12. Always Wash Your Hands Before Handling Dog Food

The way you handle dog food shouldn’t be different from how you handle your food. Before feeding your dog, it’s best to maintain proper hand hygiene. Hands should be properly washed with soap and rinsed under running water. This eliminates possible contamination by germs.

13. Always Use A Scoop

Using your hands to scoop dog food out of its container is a great way to contaminate dog food. This is because, the human hand being an exposed part of the body, is always likely to have germs and fungal spores deposited on them. 

Introducing this unhygienic hand into the container of dog food will directly contaminate the entire dog food. Upon long-term storage, the introduced germs or fungal spores will grow, multiply, and ultimately spoil the food.  

To prevent this from happening, we recommend that you use a scoop to take the dog food out of its container. Apart from preventing potential contamination, it will also ensure that your dog receives a definite ration. You can decide to feed your dog, a scoop, or two scoops, etc.

14. Always Wash Your Dog Food Storage Container.

 Before you refill your dog food container with the new dog food, take some time to wash it. The best way to wash a dog food container is through the use of warm or hot water and soap.

Washing with warm water will help dissolve all kibble oil and saturated fat, making it easier for the soap to clean them off. A good antibacterial soap can be used to ensure that all bacteria are eliminated from the container.

While washing, you should be careful not to scratch the inside of the container or leave any dent on the container. Since this can serve as an abode for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow, multiply, and spoil the new dog food upon long-term storage.

Be sure that the washed container has dried completely before pouring in the dog food. This is because moisture can speed up the growth of mold and mildew in dog food.

15. Limit The Amount of Food you Have in the Dispenser:

Pet food dispensers are a good way of taking some work off a dog parent. It is convenient and reliable, as you can fill it up and have your dog eat from there for a couple of days.

For safety reasons, we recommend that you limit the amount of dog food in the dispenser to quantities that can last for at least 2 – 3 days. This is because the food in a dispenser is prone to contamination either by your dog or the environmental elements.

Poor-quality food dispensers may do a terrible job of keeping out air and moisture. And if this happens, I’m sure you can guess the outcome if you store the dog food long-term.

16. Store Dog Food In Different Containers:

If you bought a large quantity of dog food. It is best to store them in different containers, instead of piling them up inside one. This will help curb contamination and also save you money in case of such. This is because when you spread them out in 4 different containers. If one container gets contaminated, you will still have 3 containers of safe food left for your dog’s consumption.

17. Inspect The Container Before Use:

Before filling any container up with dry dog food, make it a habit to always inspect it. Containers that have punctures, scratches, and dents are bad for long-term storage of pet food. These scratches and dents can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and molds. The hole can serve as a path for the entry of air, moisture, and pests, which are all bad for your long-term storage goal. 

18. Keep Out Moisture With Silica Gel

We mentioned that moisture and air are among the chief culprits when it comes to food spoilage during long-term storage. Moisture will enable molds to grow, while air will fuel oxidation and rancidity of fats. 

Placing some packets of silica gel in your kibble container will help absorb the moisture in the container, hence keeping them dry and fresh. 

“Silica gels are poisonous and should not be fed to your dog. If you place some packets inside your kibble container, always check to be sure that you haven’t scooped them along with kibble during meal time.”

19. Repel Insects From Dry Dog Food.

Insects can be a nuisance when trying to store dry dog food long term. However, there are certain things you can do to prevent any form of damage. There are some natural insect repellents like cinnamon, mint, and clove oil you can use, but some have been proven to be unsafe for your dog. 

Cinnamon itself is not toxic to dogs but caution is to be taken in its usage, as it has been found to cause skin and digestive irritation and sensitization in dogs, especially when consumed in large quantities. Mint has also been found to be toxic to dogs. 

Hence, we recommend not inserting these spices into your dog’s food. What you can do is place a little quantity inside the cabinet where your dog food is stored or place it on the outer parts of the container. 

You can also ensure that your cabinet does not bear any kibble fragments, which can attract ants and other insects. Always keep the dog food cabinet clean.

20. Don’t Let Children Handle Dog Food:

During your busy moments, you might feel tempted to ask your child to help you out in feeding the dog. This can turn out to be a huge disaster because kids won’t practice the same level of hygiene as you would. 

They might decide to pour the dog food directly out of the container into the food bowl, ignoring the scoop. They might decide to return spilled kibbles to the primary food container. They may even decide to scoop out the kibble with their hands. 

These actions could thwart your goal of storing dry dog food long-term. To avoid these scenarios, keep dog foods out of the reach of children, and always feed your dog yourself. At least until your kids are old enough to follow your procedure.

How Long Can Dry Dog Food Be Stored?

For unopened dog food, you can store it as long as the expiry date entails. But once you’ve opened it, the storage duration shortens to about 6 weeks. This is because an opened dog food is exposed to air, the moisture in the air, and other elements of dog food spoilage.

If you’ve followed all the tips we listed in this guide, you should be able to successfully store your dog food for at least 6 weeks without it going bad. 

How to Tell if Dry Dog Food Has Gone Bad

Though the food spoilage process is a gradual and subtle one, there are still some things you can look out for. If you suspect that your dry dog food has gone bad, the first thing to do is to check the expiry date. 

Though some dog foods can still be effective even after expiration, don’t take the unworthy risk of feeding such food to your dog. Discard all expired dry dog food as soon as possible. 

Spoilt dry dog food may grow moulds and mildew on them, so look for signs of such growth. Check for the presence of insects, moths, weevils, and other pests in the food. This could be an indicator that the food has gone bad. 

Perceive the dog food. If it smells different than you know, then it has likely gone bad. Another thing you can also do to tell if dry dog food has gone bad is to observe your dog’s reaction.

Dogs have a stronger sense of smell than humans, if the food smells bad, they will turn away from it. If your dog avoids eating the same kibbles it’s been binging on, then it’s time to make a change.

What to Do if your Dog Eats Spoilt Dry Dog Food

If you mistakenly feed your dog spoilt or expired dry dog food, the best thing to do is to take it to see a veterinarian immediately. Your vet may perform gastric lavage, a procedure that aims to remove the spoilt food from your dog’s stomach.

Do not attempt to induce vomiting in your dog unless you are following a vet’s instructions, as this could be harmful to your dog. Carrying some quantity of the spoilt dog food to show the Vet, can improve the choice and direction of treatment.