Storing Dog Food – The Best Ways for Preserving a Bag of Dog Food

Guaranteed, the biggest bag of dog food costs less per pound or serving—it’s one of life’s little truisms that you can always count on. And because of the lower cost per serving, you are always drawn to that forty-pound bag of food, knowing that you can save a few dollars. The problem is, your dog only weighs five pounds, and buying a bag of food that weighs eight times his body weight seems a little crazy. How long will it take him to eat an entire forty-pound bag, and will it still be fresh when he finally reaches the bottom?

There are approximately 160 cups of kibble in a forty-pound bag, and a five-pound dog eats maybe half a cup per meal, depending on the caloric density of the food. That means the 160 cups of dog food will last approximately 160 days, or five months and ten days.

How to Keep Dog Food Fresh

Dog food manufacturers claim their food can stay fresh for up to six months in the original bag because of the antioxidants and preservatives in the plastic liner. This makes sense, and they recommend that to maintain optimal freshness, you should keep the kibble in the bag and seal it as best as possible. However, if you have a fussy eater, it’s best to package that 40 lb bag of dog food into five 8 lb parcels and store them in the freezer. Freezing kibble helps it stay fresher for longer, and your dog’s enjoyment will remain the same throughout the entire bag. As food gets older, the scent dissipates, making it less exciting for your dog, which may cause them to turn their nose up at it. Freezing it preserves much of the original scent, so most dogs won’t be put off by the kibble. Ziploc bags work great in the freezer, and once out, you can transfer the kibble to an airtight container to maintain freshness.

What About Canned Food?

How long does canned food last? That depends on the best-before date on the side of the tin. Canned food lasts much longer than kibble, and in some cases, it can last almost indefinitely. Buying canned pet food in case lot sales is an advantageous way to save a few dollars, and it’s rare for the food to go bad before it’s eaten.

Once a tin of food is opened, refrigerate the remainder and plan to finish it within two to three days at most. Keep in mind that opened cans can be affected by odors in the fridge that your pet may find unappealing, so a well-sealing lid is essential. Adding a teaspoon of water is always a good idea—your dog will consider it ‘gravy,’ so no need to worry about it lowering the ‘yummy’ factor.

How to Store Dog Treats

Hard biscuits like Milk Bones, Cheese Hearts, and Liver Hearts don’t go bad, but they can turn stale. These can also be purchased in bulk and stored in the freezer to keep them fresh. Often, they’re kept on the counter in an open dish for easy access, but storing them in a sealed container will help preserve their freshness longer.

Soft treats, such as Rollover, should be refrigerated, while products like Pupperoni or Jerky Treats can be stored elsewhere. These products are often dosed with preservatives and have a long shelf life. If in doubt, always read the label. If it states that the product should be refrigerated, then it’s strongly recommended you do so to protect both your pet’s health and your own when handling them.

General Tips for Storing Pet Food

Common sense is key when figuring out how to store your pet’s food. If it looks like it could go bad or stale, seal it up. If it needs to be refrigerated, do so (though we recommend placing it in a Ziploc bag to avoid unpleasant smells affecting other meals, like Sunday’s roast beef dinner!).

If you ever feel a product has gone bad or is adversely affecting your pet’s health, don’t hesitate to return it to the store for a full refund or contact the manufacturer using the number provided on the packaging. If your pet becomes ill, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Buy big and save a few dollars, but make sure to store it safely when you get home—your pet’s health depends on it!