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Senior Dog Food - 10 Tips for Storing Senior Dog Food

To ensure the quality of the food you are feeding your senior best friend, it is not only important that you choose the best food through senior dog food reviews and other knowledgeable means… you also have to make sure the food is properly stored so that it remains fresh and healthy; otherwise it can do your senior pal a lot of harm.

Here we give you 10 tips for storing dry and wet senior dog food:

1. Once a bag of dry food is open, finish it before 6 weeks

As soon as the bag is open, the expiration date loses validity. Six weeks after it was opened, the food’s nutritional value has decreased considerably.

2. Store the food in its original bag and inside a sealed container

The original bag protects against humidity and oxygen. After serving your dog, take all the air out of the bag before closing it.

Never store your pet’s food directly inside a plastic container. These containers have dangerous chemicals that can be absorbed by the food, the kibbles can get rancid faster due to residues in the bin, and bugs and bacteria may find a way in and infect the food.

3. Store in a cool and dry place

The perfect temperature to store dog food is below 70°F, and under less than 15% humidity. You don’t want to place your pal’s food in a place full of moisture, since this will encourage mold growth that can make the fats go rancid.

4. When putting the food in the freezer, seal it

If you don’t seal the food before putting it in the freezer it may get wet. Use a kitchen vacuum sealer, zip lock bags, or sealed containers, and store it there for only some days.

5. Wash your containers regularly

When old, bits get rancid… and when containers are not washed, the old food can infect the new food. Wash the bins with a soft detergent and boiling water, and make sure the container is fully dry before storing new food.

6. Prefer glass or stainless steel containers

These are very good in keeping moisture and oxygen out. Plastic is not so good.

7. Put only small amounts of food in dispensers

Dispensers are very convenient, but they can also be dangerous for your dog if you don’t know how to use them.

Do not leave food inside for a long time, and never add new food on top of old food. Wash them with boiling water regularly.

8. Store wet food in the fridge for no longer than 3 days

Wet food leftovers must be taken out of the can and stored in a sealed container inside the fridge for a maximum of three days.

9. Freeze leftover wet food in sealed containers

It is OK to freeze small amounts of canned dog food, but only for 3 days tops.

10. Store cans in a cool place and respect the expiration date

Never feed your dog canned food that is past its expiration date as it may make him sick.

These tips apply no matter the quality or brand of the food you choose; nevertheless, always follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer and by senior dog food reviews when considering a specific brand.

~ Staff, SeniorDogs.com

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