Food, Vaccines, Vet Bills, Spay/Neuter, Doggie Bed, Treats, Chew Bones/Toys, Bowls, Collars, Leash, Training, Fence, Vitamins, Flea Control, Heartworm, Shampoo, Grooming, Grooming Tools, Dental Care, Waste Disposal, Stain Remover, Deworming, Boarding, Car Restraint, Crate
I started the list with food because a friend and I just had a discussion about how expensive dog food is. She just got a puppy and wants to feed it high quality puppy food for a large breed dog. She told me the dollar amount she was paying and it was a lot of money for dog food. I had not paid attention to what I was paying, I knew the food was expensive, but I was not sure of the exact amount. WOW! I think I was better off not knowing the exact amount.
Where am I going with this? Dog food is so expensive, it is important that it is stored properly.
Depending on how dog food kibble has been packaged, sealed and resealed, storing it right in the bag can be just fine. Some pet foods have zip-lock tops that provide a very good seal, and some have plastic linking that also helps keep in freshness. On the other hand, sometimes the bag’s seal may tear, making it hard to reseal. Some people roll the bags closed to seal them while others use some sort of clip to seal the top of the bag.
If a bag of food is going to last your dog less than 2 weeks, I think it is useful to pour the food into a plastic storage container that is easy to seal. Some companies make these containers just for dog food. I use a food safe container and pour out of the bag what I will feed in one week and tightly seal the remainder in the bag.
Although it may be more convenient to open a bag of kibble and dump it in a metal or plastic container for storage, discarding the original bag isn’t a good idea. The bags are designed to keep the foods good, without spoilage, for quite a while. (Check the ‘sell by’ or ‘use by’ date on the bag.) The original bags also keep the fats in the food from soaking through and thereby turning rancid. Plus, if there’s a problem with the food later, you’ll want the information that’s on the bag, especially the lot number.
Unopened canned pet foods have a long shelf life. Depending on the ingredients and canning methods, sometimes these foods can be good for five years. It’s important to keep an eye on the ‘use by’ dates, however, so each time you buy more food, move the older cans to the front of the shelf and put the newer ones in the back. Once a can has been opened, you can transfer the unused portion to an airtight storage container and refrigerate the food for up to five days.
Refrigerated foods are becoming more popular and can be found in pet stores as well as many grocery stores. Some of the foods are found in rolls, bags, or even small plastic containers. No matter what refrigerated food your pet might like, keep an eye on the dates on the package as all of these foods have a fairly short shelf life. Plus, once the package has been opened, the food needs to be used within five days. Check the package instructions, though, as sometimes excess food can be frozen.
Dehydrated foods need to be protected from moisture. Too much moisture before the food is used will lead to the development of mold. The food can remain in the original packaging which is then tightly reclosed after each use or it can be transferred to a canister with an air tight lid.
Commercially prepared raw pet food diets have storage instructions on the packaging which includes how long the product can be frozen or refrigerated. If you’re making your own recipes for your pet, there are some generally accepted food handling guidelines. Raw ground meats of all kinds, poultry, and fish can be refrigerated for one to two days. If you won’t use the meat in that time period, freeze it. Larger cuts of meat such as roasts, steaks, or chops can be refrigerated for three to five days. Frozen meats, if wrapped well and in an airtight container, are generally good for four to six months.
Good nutrition is important. So let me start by saying that you should always feed a good quality food that is highly digestible. I hope whatever you are feeding has the right balance of proteins, fats and fibers with vitamins and nutrients.
Thanks to http://www.lizpalika.com/ for sharing several of these ideas!
How do you store your pet’s food? Do you know how much you spend in one year just on pet food? Please share.
I am thankful for…..Pawprints on My Floor, Slobbery Kisses on My Face, Nose Prints on My Windows, Dog Hair on My Clothes, No Room in My Bed. For There Will Come a Day When These Things are Missed.