Otherwise, your food may smell like dog food or the other way around – not that your dog would hate some meaty flavor. In other words, the kibble inside should be fresh and nutritionally complete per the manufacturer’s claims before that date as long as the bag remains unopened. Note that, even if the dog food is still not open, does not show signs of contamination or spoilage, or does not produce a foul smell, there is still a tendency for it to have diminished its nutritional value because the essential fats and preservatives break down naturally. If you want to go all-natural, consider buying those with natural preservatives but go for the smaller packages. Food from opened bags should be used within 6 months of the date the bag was opened. Find out through this article. There is an even higher chance for that problem to happen as the product ages. You have to look at the age of the dog, and his diet, because older dogs are more likely to get spoiled food. This will ensure the dog won’t get sick from the food. I currently get a 15 lb bag for my 2 which lasts a little over a month but would like to go to the larger bag since it is a better bargain. Unopened, cool and dry, should be good for several months from the original packaging date, anyway. How long does dry dog food last unopened is a question that have multiple factors, and you will have to take all of them into consideration before you make a final decision. (Video). While keeping dry pet food fresh is mostly a matter of storing it properly in an appropriate sealed container, there are different considerations when it comes to canned pet food. As for dog treats, they usually have a similar shelf life as to the dry food products offered by the same manufacturer. Among the signs that he is malnourished are sudden weight loss, low energy levels, and lethargy. Answer Save. Common Problems with Dog Foods Past their Expiration Dates, dog foods that are past their prime are safe to eat, 7 Great Homemade Dog Food Recipes (Video), Merrick Dog Food: How Much to Feed? A dry dog food variation that hasn’t been opened can stay fresh for 12-18 months. The plastic lining is usually not strong enough to hold the food for very long, because when you open air, you can just see the food floating around. As for the shelf life and expiration date of a specific dog food, take note that it varies significantly from one manufacturer to another. However, avoid relying too much on those dog foods that are over three months of their expiration date. Knowing exactly how long is dog food good after expiration date can help you keep your dog safe by ensuring you feed him foods that are safe and of top-notch quality. As for the shelf life and expiration date of a specific dog food, take note that it varies significantly from one manufacturer to another. Of the five types of dog food, the dry or kibble pet foods are the most popular option due to several factors including economical (they are cheapest commercial dog food any dog owner can purchase). So how long is dog food really good after expiration date? It should be noted, in the US, pet foods do not need to put expiration or best before dates in the labels on their packaging. Also, note that it is possible for the food to be contaminated, even if it is not yet expired, so it is still important to check it for signs of contamination from time to time. There should be a "best before" date printed somewhere on the bag - at least a month and year. Canned food and homemade food will keep in the freezer for up to four to six months. If you have ever had to throw away dry dog food, you will know that the product often doesn’t come out completely empty. There are still ingredients used in the product that can offer enough nutrition even after the “best before” or expiration date, but the nutrition value of other added ingredients has faded. If you pour some dry kibble into your dog’s … (Video). Pet food manufacturers establish expiration or “best by” dates to ensure the safety of your dog. As for the food, you can still expect it to be good, just not the same quality the manufacturer initially advertised. One problem your dog might face is in his indigestion, which often happens due to the spoiled ingredients. If any of the issues mentioned above are apparent in an expired dog food, then avoid feeding it to your dog, even if it has been said that dog foods are generally safe after a few months of their expiration date. Understanding the Shelf Life and Expiration Date of Dog Foods. If you see that he’s gaining weight, you might want to switch to canned food. Once the products expire, it is also possible for the preservatives to reach that point where they can no longer perform their primary purpose. Basically, dog foods that are past their prime are safe to eat. When Jim returned, I opened up the dog treat box (eager to share a couple of treats with the dog who had been “such a good boy” on this extra-long car ride) only to discover dozens of tiny gnats and insect-looking bugs hopping in … For your dog's health, keep in mind that the quality of dry pet food is affected by various dog food storage methods and conditions long before you even bring the food home. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. source https://salonemonitor.net/how-long-does-dry-dog-food-last-unopened-in-the-bag/. How long does dry dog food last after opening? ( Log Out /  The problem is it is also one of the first components of the food that might go sour. Older dogs can have a higher concentration of bacteria, and the food that is left in the bag is much more likely to be contaminated. This is a question that depends a lot on the dog’s diet, because the more commercial dog food that the dog is eating, the more likely it is to have been exposed to the air, and the more likely it is to start getting stale. For dry cat and dog food The datecode on our plastic bags is located on the left gusset, near the 4 or 5-digit SKU number, toward the bottom of the bag. However, prior to feeding the expired food to your dog, make sure to check it thoroughly for bacteria and mold. If you are wondering how long does dry dog food last unopened, it’s because most of it can get pretty stale after being opened and there is no way to tell if it has gone bad. I recommend that you buy at least three different brands and try them all out, because you can’t make a mistake with canned food. I keep mine in the original bag and place the bag in a big plastic container. How long your pet food lasts once it’s opened depends on where the fats are from. Certain factors like degradation and packaging strength can affect how long these wet and dry pet foods can last past the recommended "use by" dates on the packaging. That said, he won’t be able to detect it, making him eat the food, regardless if it is bad. A bag of kibble will usually stay fresh and suitable for your dog to eat for about 4-6 weeks after it’s opened as long as you take care to store the food in a cool, dry place with the bag sealed. An unopened can of dog food can remain fresh for years when stored in a cool and dry location, but only buy the number of cans that can be used before they reach their "best by" dates. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Ingesting a contaminated dog food will cause the bacteria to spread through your dog’s bloodstream, causing some health issues, and in worse cases, death. The problem is that such ingredients also have the tendency to degrade over time. High-quality dog food companies use bags that provide protection from oxygen and moisture. Let’s discuss … Mold growth may even accelerate if you keep the food in a moist and hot area. If your dog’s kibble is beef, then pet food industry expert Steve Brown recommends you use the bag up within 3 weeks. However, there are also certain types of packaging that are more prone to contamination than the others. 2 Answers. When studying the shelf life and expiration dates of dog foods, take note that the preservatives used in them, if there are any, have an impact on it. was first published on the websiteSalonemonitor. Is 2 months too long? Canned Food: Most unopened canned pet foods have a fairly long shelf life and will safely stay good for 2-5 years if stored properly, but remember that ingredients and canning methods will impact how long they can be stored. If you are a seasoned dog owner, you have an advantage of knowing how long does dry dog food last, because you have experienced many different types of canned food that have the same expiration dates, but that is not the same as your dog’s age. That’s particularly true for those foods stored in airtight containers. It is often treated for effectiveness and longevity. Ingredients: Purina ONE SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Adult Formula Dry Dog Food is the bestselling Purina ONE dog food on Chewy.com. Note that fat is a vital component of any dog food. Once you open the bag irrespective of how far the expiry date is, it becomes another whole story. Furthermore, the safety of serving pet foods after they have exceeded the indicated “best by”, “best before”, or expiration date is still undergoing constant discussions. Freezing cool dry dog food is yet another good idea to keep it fresh for a longer time. This will ensure you won’t feed him something that might trigger deficiencies in his diet, resulting in chronic health risks. Dry dog foods, for instance, can be expected to have a shelf life that ranges from 4 months to three years. It could be at the back or the side. Discard cans that have a deep dent, air bubbles or swelling; all of which are signs that the can’s seal has been compromised and bacteria is growing inside. That’s the main reason you have to check the dog food for mold, pests, and any other contaminants, especially if it has expired, prior to feeding it to your dog. Hello, we provide concise yet detailed articles on "Dog Choices: How Long Is Dry Dog Food Good For" topic. High-quality dog food bags have been designed to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible. Is it Still Safe for Dogs to Eat Expired Dog Foods? Just make sure to put the food into freezer bags or storage containers first. It should be double wrapped, though. That way, you can prevent him from experiencing various health risks caused by expired foods with issues. In dog foods, you can see the date somewhere on the bag or can. dates apply ONLY to sealed bags. How long does dry dog food last unopened is a question that you might be asking, and that you really have to ask yourself. How long does dry dog food stay good after the package is opened? How Long Does Dry Dog Food Last Unopened in the Bag? Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. You’ll see that when you open the can of dry dog food, it has a plastic lining that is a bit like a plastic bag, and you can tell when it has been opened because you can see that there are food particles in there. Adult Miniature Pinschers weigh 3.6 to 4.5kg on average. You can tell that it hasn’t been opened by how the plastic bag has started to tear away from the plastic lining. Unopened bags basically stay much as they are up to the use by dates. The information here is sourced well and enriched with great visual photo and video illustrations. #Salonemonitor #Salonemonitornet #petsfood #dogfood #bestdogfood. 7 Great Homemade Dog Food Recipes (Video) 7 Tips for Choosing a Quality Dog Food How Good Is Your Dog’s Food? Dog food contains anti-oxidants, but it will still spoil. If you are wondering how long does dry dog food last unopened, you have to keep re-stuffing the food until it stops coming out empty. Opened bags of dog food have a shelf-life of 45 days—this rule is true for all dry dog food brands. Keeping the dog food bag also has the added benefit of retaining the dog food’s barcode, expiration date, and batch code – all of which are important information to have, especially in the event of a dog food recall. The pouched or canned varieties, on the other hand, have a shelf life of around 1-5 years. On a car ride with our dog one Saturday afternoon, Jim went into a pet store to buy some dog treats — while Destin and I waited in the car.. Again, it is safe for consumption within a few months past its expiration date but make sure to check it for mold and bacteria growth. What we can look at are the ingredients that are in the food that might be in it. The question of course is a big one, and there are a lot of conflicting answers. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. There is a great chance for mold and bacteria to form and grow in the dog food if the preservatives utilized in keeping it fresh start to degrade. ( Log Out /  If there is an old bag or can of dog food, note that it does not instantly mean it has gone bad or has lost its nutrition value. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45°F, for a maximum of 5-7 days. It might result in indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. 5 Canned dog foods packaged in plastic tubs will generally not last as long on the shelf as those in actual cans. Opened cans or pouches of wet dog food are best stored tightly covered in the fridge. It can stay fresh for up to half a year. However, feeding your dog with such expired foods is not always recommended. • Store the food in its original bag but, if you want to use a pet food container, place the whole bag into it. However, many pet food companies do so as a means of informing stores and consumers about the specific length of time when they can guarantee the quality of their products based on what they advertise. If you have ever seen a can of dry dog food, you will know that it isn’t always fully closed. Also, the fact that they are long-lasting and can be kept in good condition for months without the need for refrigerating is impressive. If you are a new dog owner, you might want to start with dry dog food, but you can always switch to canned if you think your dog is not getting enough fresh food. What is the average shelf life for dry dog food if it is kept unopened in a 60 degree environment? That is one of the big questions of pet owners, and it really depends on the age of the dog. November 13, 2016 It is best used within 3 months after opening; it must be stored in a cool and dry place. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. How Long Does Dry Food Last After Opening There are several brands of canned food that are good for your dog’s age, and weight. Like foods designed for human consumption, such info can give you knowledge of the product’s longevity. A dog food’s shelf life refers to the time wherein the manufacturer can guarantee the highest nutrition value of the product based on what it advertises on the label containing its nutrition facts. When you find the article helpful, feel free to share it … Opened bags of food don't deteriorate quickly but there is some loss of quality. Such varies significantly based on the kind of food (dry or wet) and the brand. That said, it is not surprising to see the shelf life of dog foods with natural preservatives to be a few months shorter compared to those containing artificial ones. 0 0. If it goes rancid, then you can tell by the noticeable strong, foul smell it tends to make. This applies only to unopened bags. They will have reached their full size anywhere between 9 months old … Fat can provide energy and improve the flavor of food. Some sources say the answer is within a couple of days, others say it is longer. You really have to check the food thoroughly for the mentioned issue, since dogs are immune to such foul smell. Dry dog foods usually have a one-year “shelf life.” That means the food is “good” for up to one year after the manufacturing date. How long does a dry food last unopened in the bag? If you are a new dog owner, it’s always best to start with canned food, because you have the advantage of knowing what is safe for your dog’s age, and what will be a good weight for your dog. What it means is that the food can no longer offer the quality and nutrition indicated in its guaranteed analysis. That said, ensure it’s not over three months past the expiration date prior to feeding it to your dog. This is because you can’t use any sort of thermometer to tell the age of the food, so you have to look at the color and texture of the food. Thanks everyone. Dog Dry Food Storage Tips And Tricks Make sure that before buying dry food you should go to the manufacturing and expiry date of the product. How can I tell if an unopened can or bag of cat or dog food is still good? With several companies issuing recalls regarding dog and cat food lately, it is no longer surprising to see plenty of pet owners, who are concerned about the quality and safety of the foods they serve to their beloved pets. The effect is different from humans, who will most likely not touch expired food, even if it is just a day past its expiration date, because dogs are known to have better tolerance than humans as far as digestion and food are concerned. Also, several ingredients are used and integrated into a nutrient-dense formula as a means of ensuring your dog can survive on it. Also, note that different factors, such as the strength of packaging and degradation, have a major impact on the length of time the dry and wet foods for pets can exceed the recommended dates indicated in the packaging’s label. In most cases, you can expect such food to be safe for dog’s general consumption a few months beyond its expiration date. It is just a matter of keeping an eye on your dog’s diet, and if you see that he is losing weight, then you are better off giving him dry dog food. You can’t consider it as the manufacturing date of the food. By knowing these problems, you can decide whether you should feed the food to your dog, even when it expires. Natural preservatives, like Vitamin E, tend to break down faster when you compare it to artificial preservatives. For dry cat and dog food Such changes can have an impact on your dog, especially in terms of his health and level of energy. Any cat or dog food remaining after that time should be thrown out. The packaging used in dog foods is mainly designed to fight contamination. For instance, a permeable package might expose foods to insects, other pests, or moisture. There’s also a risk for contaminated foods to trigger chronic foodborne illnesses, like botulism, E. coli, and salmonella. To make sure your dry, bagged pet food is as fresh and wholesome as possible, first take note of the expiration date on the bag. I have a few coupons to get free bags of dog food. However, if you notice the food does not have the mentioned issues, then you can let him enjoy the food even after it expires. Knowing how long is dry dog food good for, like an Unopened canned dog food which have a shelf life of two years, will enable you to buy manageable quantities accordingly. With that in mind, it is crucial for you to be aware of the common problems associated with expired dog foods aside from checking them for mold and bacteria. ( Log Out /  All foods designed for dogs, whether they are dry kibble or the canned dog food variety, come with a “best before” or expiration date. Chicken formulas are often bestsellers and this is a good food as olong as your dog doesn’t have allergies to any of the ingredients.. Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food: Chicken (Source of Glucosamine), Rice Flour, Corn … The “best before” or expiration date indicated on the dog food is not an indication of the actual age of the product, though. Tip #5: Wash Your Pet Food Container In tip #2, we mentioned that you should ideally put your bag of pet food inside a hard container made of glass or stainless steel. A bag of dry dog food has a shelf life of about one year to eighteen months, and as long as it stays unopened, it should last through the date of expiration indicated by the manufacturer. Note that mold tends to grow on the upper layer of the food, while producing a foul smell that a dog can’t seem to handle and tolerate. The food is also prone to changes, once it starts to age. Once the dog food is beyond its expiration date, it is your responsibility to assess and check it thoroughly and figure out if the fat has gone rancid. ( Log Out /  How Long Does Dry Dog Food Last Unopened in the Bag? Make it a point to use it within that period, too, especially if you want the best nutrition for your beloved dog. So how long is dog food good after expiration date? Change ), How to Find the Best Wet Dog Food Brands 2020. This is because you can’t use any sort of thermometer to tell the age of the food, so you have to look at the color and texture of the food. You should check the expired issue for the mentioned problems as such might lead to various health risk, minor and serious. So how long does dry dog food last after opening, and how long do you have to keep re-stuffing it? In fact, you can’t tell the food’s manufacturing date just by checking its expiration. Once opened, you have 24 hours to store the food if your dog does not finish it in one meal. Approximately the dry food will remain in good condition for 2 weeks but to enjoy the freshness of the foodstuff you have to follow certain guidelines so that you can enjoy the long life of the dog dry food. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Some sources say the answer is within a couple of days, others say it is longer. If you are wondering how long does dry dog food last unopened, you have to keep re-stuffing the food until it stops coming out empty. This date applies to the unopened bag. They don’t apply once the bag is opened. It should be noted, though, the date indicated does not necessarily mean the dog food is officially expired and is no longer safe for consumption. It only gives you an idea of the exact date the manufacturer determined as the time when the food can no longer supply your pet with proper nutrition. Date the bag of food with a marker when you open it so you can keep track. How long is dry food safe once it is opened? https://salonemonitor.net/how-long-does-dry-dog-food-last-unopened-in-the-bag/. Dog foods tend to undergo a lot of changes, once they age. This article How Long Does Dry Dog Food Last Unopened in the Bag? How long does dry dog food last after opening? The question of course is a big one, and there are a lot of conflicting answers. Still, just because a package of unopened cat food—wet or dry—has outlived its recommended use date doesn't mean it's unsafe. This is to ensure you can use the product without exceeding the shelf life, thereby allowing you to give your pet only the best. • “Use By” (or “Best Used By”, etc.) In other words, the highest level of nutrition the product can provide to your dog is the one before it is officially expired. Wet Dog Food Storage Canned dog food can last months, even years, if it is not opened. Many dry foods stamp a “best if used by” date on the package. It should be noted that dog food undergoes a unique and different process of manufacturing. With that in mind, it is necessary to check the expiration date of the dog food prior to buying it. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. The dry food will have been exposed to the air for a while, and it has probably been sitting there for a few days already. The pouched or canned varieties, on the other hand, have a shelf life of around 1-5 years. There’s also a risk for your dog to deal with malnutrition, especially once the food loses it nutritional value due to deterioration. Ideally you should use up a bag of dry dog food within a month or so of opening it. So we’ll take a quick look at how long does dry dog food last unopened, and whether or not the answer is within a couple of days or longer. For example, if you are using dry food, ¼ cup of dry food can be divided between the four meals of the day with no problem at all. Once opened, canned food should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than seven days. If it does, then dispose of it right away, instead of feeding it to your dog. They expire at the end of the month, so I was wondering if I go ahead and use them if the food will still be good … Dry dog food can also be stored in the freezer to further stretch its shelf life. Unopened, canned pet food is good to use until … 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. So we’ll take a quick look at how long does dry dog food last unopened, and whether or not the answer is within a couple of days or longer. That’s why you have to check whether an expired food has mold before deciding to feed it to your dog. Such environment might cause the constant formation of mold spores. Dry dog foods, for instance, can be expected to have a shelf life that ranges from 4 months to three years.
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