How to Store Dog Food

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Most people don't give much thought to how they store dog food, but there is a proper way to store dry and wet dog foods. Paying attention to things like temperature, moisture, and packaging can help you to ensure that your dog's dry food will last. Wet foods, such as canned and homemade food, often require refrigeration, so you will need to know how long these foods keep in the fridge and freezer. Learn more about the proper way to store your dog's food to help ensure that the food will be nourishing and that it will taste good to your dog when he eats it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Storing Dry Food

1
Be aware that dry dog food can spoil. Dry food isa convenient and cost effective way to feed a dog and requires minimal storage space. However, if the dry food is not stored properly, it can spoil and make your dog sick. The fats in the food can go rancid while vitamins can be destroyed if the proper conditions are not met.^{[1]
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2
Leave dry food in the original bag. The original packaging for your dog's dry food has a fat barrier that helps to keep it fresh. Although some people like to keep dry dog food in plastic storage containers, it is best to keep the food stored in the original bag.^{[2]
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- Bags of dry food can also be stored in the freezer if it takes you a long time to go through a bag.
- If you prefer to use a storage container, make sure that it is air tight and that it is made from opaque material to protect the dry food from light. Stainless steel containers are also a good option.^{[3]
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3
Store dry dog food in a cool, dry place. Dry dog food should be kept somewhere where the temperature is under 100 °F (38 °C) and where the food will be protected from moisture.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Elisabeth Weiss
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.} For the most part, the best place to store dry food is in the house. Storing dry dog food in garages and sheds makes it hard to regulate the temperature unless these structures are insulated and temperature controlled.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Storing Wet Foods

1
Keep unopened cans of dog food in a cupboard or pantry. Canned food will last a while as long as they are stored in a cool, dry place. The best place to store canned dog food is in a cupboard or pantry inside of your home.^{[6]
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- Do not store them where they will get wet or in a humid or moist environment as the cans may tarnish and the inner seal may degrade and cause the food to spoil.
2
Store opened cans in the refrigerator. Once you've opened a can of dog food, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Just make sure to use a plastic can lid (many veterinary clinics give these out) or a tight-fitting aluminum foil temporary lid to keep the food from drying out.^{[7]
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- Try writing the date that you opened the can on the label so that you can be sure that you are using the food within the appropriate time range.
3
Follow USDA guidelines for storing homemade dog food. Homemade foods can consist of a wide variety of food: different types of meat, eggs, vegetables, grains, and fruits are often used. As a general guideline, follow the recommended storage times for meats, which are the most perishable foods in homemade diets. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meats should be stored at refrigerator temperatures (40 °F or 4 °C or less) for the following days:^{[8]
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FoodSafety.gov
Online portal combining food safety information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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- Raw ground meats, all poultry, and seafood may be refrigerated for one to two days.^{[9]
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  Elisabeth Weiss
  Professional Dog Trainer
  Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}
- Raw roasts, steaks, and chops may be refrigerated for three to five days.
- Cooked meat, poultry, and seafood may be refrigerated for three to four days.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Elisabeth Weiss
  Professional Dog Trainer
  Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}
4
Freeze wet food that will not be used within five days. Homemade dog food and canned dog food can also be stored in the freezer. Just make sure to put the food into freezer bags or storage containers first. Canned food and homemade food will keep in the freezer for up to four to six months.^{[11]
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- Try portioning your dog's food so that you only need to defrost one baggie or container of food at a time for his meals.
5
Throw away food that has been left out for more than four hours. Canned and homemade dog food can spoil if left out of the refrigerator for too long. If an open can of dog food or some homemade dog food has been sitting in a dog bowl or on a counter, be sure to throw it away after four hours.^{[12]
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- Do not give your dog food that has been sitting out for long periods of time.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Elisabeth Weiss
  Professional Dog Trainer
  Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.} Doing so may cause your dog to get sick, which could result in some expensive veterinary bills.

Expert Q&A

Question

Do you need to do anything to a new bag of dog food?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

When you're about to open a new bag of dry food, invert the bag a few times. This helps redistribute any coating that has drifted to the bottom of the bag so that it's as the manufacturer intended.