Yes. Even though commercial dog food is designed to have an extensive shelf life, they don’t last indefinitely. Dog food goes bad if not properly stored, but you can use various techniques to make it last longer.
Can wet food go bad?
Wet food can go bad. But, well-stored, unopened canned food has an expected shelf life of up to 2 years. Once opened, wet food goes rancid quickly, even when refrigerated.
An open can of wet dog food can last for only three days if stored in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated. If left at room temperature, the food will remain fresh for 2 hours only. Discard any food that remains unconsumed after 2 hours.
Can dry food go bad?
Yes, dry food goes bad. When not opened, a bag of dry dog food can last for at least two years. However, it’s suitable for use for a few weeks once it’s opened.
Although dry food is ultra-processed and contains preservatives meant to extend its shelf life, poor handling and exposure to elements make it quickly go bad at home.
Can dog treats go bad?
Yes, dog treats can go bad. However, with proper storage, you can extend their shelf life. Treats like canned and dry dog food come with a specific shelf life. How long treats stay fresh depends on the ingredients, manner of storage, and the kind of preservatives used.
Commercially produced treats last for a substantially longer time before going bad compared with homemade treats. Further, soft treats containing meat are more likely to go bad faster than hard biscuits.
Additionally, well-preserved treats in airtight containers endure longer than in open and humid places.
Expiration date meaning
What does the expiry, ‘’sell by’’, or ‘’best by’’ dates mean?
The expiry date simply indicates the date by which the food is likely to have degraded. Food that has gone past the expiry date is no longer safe.
The best-by/sell-by date shows the date the flavor, taste, color, smell, and nutritional value remain unaltered.
These dates apply to unopened food; the further the expiration dates, the fresher the food.
Ensure the bag or can is well-sealed and not damaged for maximum freshness.
Effects of Bad Dog Food
Feeding your dog food that has gone bad can cause severe problems and negatively impact your dog’s health. Some of the effects of feeding bad food include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal discomfort
- Itchy skin
- Rashes
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Abdominal pain
- Dull fur
How to tell if dog food has gone bad
It’s true that dogs have a unique sense of smell and pick odors miles away. Be keen if your dog sniffs at his food and turns the other way or if it takes a few bites and goes away, as there could be a problem with the food.
The bad thing is some pups can eat just about anything. As such, being able to tell if your dog’s food is spoiled is important. These are the telltale signs that your pup’s meal has gone bad:
- The food has an unpleasant sour smell: Although dog food may not have the best smell, be wary if it has an awful odor different from when you first opened it.
- It’s way past its expiration date: Check the food label for the manufacturing/ processing and expiry date. If the food has exceeded the expiry date, it’s most likely gone rancid.
- The food has changed color: Most dog foods, whether kibble or canned, comes with a deep brown color. Any color changes may be an indication that the food has gone bad. Don’t feed your dog food that has turned green, deep blue, or black.
- The food looks moldy or dusty: inspect the food for any mold, bugs, or moisture signs. Discard the whole bag or can, even if only a small portion is moldy. It is an indication that the food is no longer fresh.
- The food has been exposed to humidity or heat: Evaluate the way the food is stored. Both heat and air speed up the rate at which the food degrades. Leaving dog food in the open puts it at risk of going bad. Improperly stored dog food is likely to go stale very fast.
- Look out for your dog’s clues: Pay attention to your dog’s behavior. If It usually has no problems feeding but suddenly becomes reluctant or downright refuses to eat, It might signal that the food has gone bad. Further, the food may have degraded if your dog shows signs of illness or discomfort after eating.
What causes dog food to spoil
The following are some causes of dog food degradation:
Exposure to heat
High temperatures make dog food susceptible to bacteria growth and spoilage. Heat also causes the fats in the food to oxidize, lowering their quality and decreasing their nutritional value.
Subjecting dry food to heat makes it dry out and shrink, which robs your dog of the hydration it should receive from the food. High temperatures also induce chemical reactions in dog food, altering its smell and taste.
As such, dog food should be stored away from sunlight and other heat sources, including stoves, heaters, fires, and cookers.
Exposure to air
Air feeds harmful bacteria. It fastens the decomposition process in dog food, making it prone to bacterial infection. Exposing your dog’s food to air will cause bacteria to multiply and spread speedily.
It’s, therefore, essential to store dog food in air-tight containers to prevent it from going bad due to its contact with air.
Exposure to moisture
Moisture encourages the growth and spreading of mold in dog food. This makes it spoil very fast and produce a foul odor and smell. Feeding moldy food to your dog will cause stomach upset.
Why do fats in kibble go rancid fast?
The oxidation process causes the fats in the kibble to go rancid very fast. Exposing the kibble to oxygen makes its fatty oils break down and degrade immediately after opening the bag. This degradation makes the food not only foul-smelling but also poisonous.
Shelf life expectancy in canned dog food
When buying canned food for your dog, looking at the shelf life indicated on the container is crucial. Unopened canned food should last between 2-5 years. Although undamaged canned food can last much longer because canning involves sterilizing, it’s best to toss it out if it has passed the ‘’use by date’’.
On the other hand, open canned food can last for only three days. Opening the can exposes the food to air and moisture, degrading quickly. Any food left past this period should be discarded. Keep open cans tightly closed and refrigerated to preserve freshness.
How to Store Dog Food for Maximum Freshness
You can ensure your dog’s food stays fresh for longer by doing the following:
Keep it in the bag, or can
Experts recommend keeping food in the original bag it comes in. These bags are made specifically to protect food from air and humidity, which hasten the decomposition of the food.
Food storage containers are a handy way of keeping food safe. However, they aren’t the ideal option on their own. Because once you remove food from its original bag and put it into a storage bin, the fats, and oils settle on the walls and bottom of the container, making the food spoil quickly.
The best way is to store the bag inside the bin. Storing the dog food in its original bag in an airtight container can prevent the fats in the food from oxidizing and help keep it in optimal freshness.
When using a storage bin, be sure to clean it regularly. When you’re done with one bag of food, thoroughly clean the container and allow it to dry completely before putting it in a new bag.
Keep it away from air and humidity.
Exposing a dog’s food makes it degrade at a faster rate. The moisture and air break down the food’s proteins and fats, turning them rancid and risking contamination from bacteria. To prevent this, store the food in a tightly sealed container. In addition, keep the food in a cool, dry environment.
Be keen on the expiry.
Manufacturers indicate the expiration date on foods to guarantee your dog’s safety. It’s important to look for the expiration date on the dog food’s package and ensure you use it before that date. Properly storing your food will help extend its shelf life.
Dog Food Storage Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
How long your dog food stays fresh depends on how you handle it at home. Avoid these common storage mistakes:
Trashing the original packaging
You should never throw away your dog’s food’s original packaging. This packaging is made to keep out elements such as air and moisture and preserve and keep the food fresh as long as possible.
The original bag also carries important information, including the barcode, the expiration date, and the batch code, which can be useful, particularly in a dog food recall.
Exposing the food to air
Exposing dog food to air and humidity will accelerate the degradation rate and increase the risk of bacterial contamination such as salmonella. Hence, always ensure that you seal the bag completely after each serving.
Keeping the food past the expiration date
Always discard dog food past the expiry date commonly indicated on the food package as ‘’best by’’ or ‘’use by’’ dates. To keep your dog safe, ensure you don’t feed them on food beyond its expiry date. Expired food can cause tummy upset in your dog.
Exposure to sunlight
Avoid storing your dog food in sunlight, as this causes the temperature and humidity inside to rise. Exposure to sunlight will degrade the food faster and increase the risk of salmonella and other bacterial contamination.
Mixing old food with new food
You should never transfer any remaining food in a bag, no matter how little, to a new one as you may end up spoiling the fresh food unknowingly. The old food may have gone bad, and mixing it with a new one may contaminate it.
Tips for Keeping Dry Dog Food Fresh
Follow these tips to keep your dry food fresh for longer
- Avoid buying food in excess and get just enough to take your dog through a few weeks. Purchasing multiple bags may save you money by reducing the number of trips to the shop, but it also increases the chances of your dog’s food expiring before he finishes the entire bag.
- Retain the food in its original package but ensure you squeeze out air and use elastic, clip, or wire to seal it tightly.
- Store the bag inside an airtight container. A steel container is ideal as it’s the most hygienic. However, you can also use a glass one, provided you keep it away from light, or a plastic one and ensure you clean it well.
- In case you have excess food, keep some of it frozen. Storing dog food in the freezer can help extend its shelf life.
- Never mix old food with new one. Instead, ensure you clear the old bag before opening a new one.
- Once you finish with one food bag, clean the container before putting another. This will prevent rancid oils from reacting with your new food, making it go bad much faster.
- Ensure you completely dry off the container after cleaning
- Store in a cool, dry place far from rodents and insects.
Wet food depositing basics
- While buying canned food, go for smaller cans than the amount of food your dog takes in 2 days.
- Ensure you transfer the food that remains after opening a can into a plastic or ceramic container, tightly seal it and store it in the fridge. This should last for a maximum of 24 hours.
- Don’t leave wet dog food in an open bowl for over 2 hours.
Dog Food Safety Tips
- While handling dog food, it’s important to observe proper hygiene.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before serving your dog’s food.
- Don’t leave the food in an open place.
- Always keep all your dog’s food containers clean. Wash them after every use.
- Seal and store opened dog food properly.
What to do with expired dog food
The best thing to do with expired food is to dispose of it. You can wrap it up in a trash bag and toss it in a trash can or receptacle to prevent wildlife or other pets from accessing it.
You can also contact your local waste management programs and determine whether they have a compost program for expired pet foods.
Does dry dog food expire?
Yes, dry dog food does expire. Unopened, dry food can last up to 2 years. Once open, dry dog food is only suitable for a few weeks.
How long does canned dog food stay fresh once opened?
Once opened, canned dog food can stay fresh for three days when refrigerated. Opening canned food exposes it to air and potential contaminants, which makes it go bad quickly.
Can dog food go bad in heat?
Yes. Exposing dog food to high temperatures makes it susceptible to bacteria and makes it go rancid. Heat also causes the fats in dog food to oxidize, reducing their quality and nutritional value.
Is expired dog food safe?
No. Expired dog food is unappetizing and can cause health issues in dogs. Feeding expired food to dogs can make them to have diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
How long does kibble last?
Once opened, kibble can last for only 2-3 weeks but can go up to 2 years when unopened. However, the shelf life is dependent on the ingredients used.
The Bottom line
Dog food does not last forever. It’s, therefore, essential to watch out for the expiry date to keep your dog safe.
You should never feed expired food to your fur baby as it can cause serious health issues.
Proper storage is essential in extending the shelf life of your dog food.
Further, keeping the food away from heat, air, and moisture keeps it fresh.
There you have everything you need to know about keeping your dog’s food fresh for longer.
