As the saying suggests, dogs are our best friends, which is why you are probably doing everything in your power to keep it as healthy, happy, and fit as possible. However, if you got your puppy recently, you may need to learn a lot of new things, including how to correctly store your pup’s dry food.
And, fortunately for all new – and old – dog owners, this article might be able to help you with learning whether or not you are storing your pet’s meals properly. How? Well, let’s take a closer look at the list of nine tips that you can remember in order to properly and safely store your pet’s dry meals:
1. Always Look at The Expiration Date
One of the first things that you must do before purchasing any package is to examine the expiration date. However, if you already bought it, ensure that you check the date before giving it to your pup. Most companies that produce natural meals have shorter expiration dates, which is why you must ensure that your pup consumes it all before it goes bad.
Of course, it could still be good after it expires, however, if you do not want to risk your pet experiencing poisoning or an upset stomach, you might want to throw it out. If you want to avoid wasting meals, you should purchase smaller bags instead of larger ones.
2. The Packs Must Be in Excellent Condition
When you purchase the food, the packaging will probably be in a good condition. However, if you’re planning on keeping it in the initial pack, you must assure that you check it occasionally and see whether there are any holes or tears in the material. This can cause it to go rotten or to have a different taste, hence, you might want to place it in a different container, which leads us to our next point…
3. Sealed Boxes Are The Safest
If you want to transfer it from the original bag to a container, you might want to opt for one that is airtight. Why should you choose airtight containers? Well, it is quite simple – since there will be less air reaching the food, it’ll taste fresher and better. Additionally, it will also hinder any bugs from crawling into the package which is also quite important.
4. Original Packages Needs to Be Sealed
You might opt for leaving the dry food such as the ones featured on ultrapetshop.com in the original package, and if so, you must assure that it is either clipped or folded in order for it to remain fresh. This will also deter insects and germs from spoiling the food, hence, guarantee that you properly close it once you feed your pet.
5. Glass And/or Metal Are The Things You Should Opt For
You should know that plastic containers could release a wide range of toxic substances that can either spoil or change its taste, which is one of the reasons why you should purchase either glass or metal containers for storing your pet’s meals. Besides glass and metal keeping everything fresh, the containers will also be more durable and easily washable, which means that you’ll save money in the long run.
6. Always Keep The Original Package
You might choose not to store the food in the original package, and if so, you must ensure that you keep the original. Why should you do this? Well, first of all, you might forget the expiration date at one point, and if this happens, you’ll be able to always know whether or not it is safe for consumption.
Also, if there are any health problems caused by the meal you gave to your pup, you’ll always have the important information located on the labels, something that can be used by a veterinarian in order to determine what went wrong. Hence, fold the original package and store it somewhere.
7. Don’t Place it in Water
Now, if your pet has dental problems or conditions, or if you have a small puppy, you might need to mix it with water. However, this does not mean that you should prepare it days before your dog will actually eat it. Hence, when you mix it with water, ensure that it is before you feed it to your pup. Once they are done with their meal, you should wash the dish in order to prevent bacteria growth that can easily cause health problems.
8. I Must Be Placed in a Dark, Cold, And Dry Area
To maintain the taste, freshness, and nutritional values found in dry dog food, you must ensure that you store it in a dark, dry, and cold area. Moisture can prompt mold development, which will in return make your pup extremely ill. Higher temperatures can also prompt the degradation process that will cause the nutrients to breakdown.
This is why you must avoid placing it in an area that is hot such as a gardening shed or your garage. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that you place it in a location where your dog cannot get to it, which will prevent it from overheating. This is why you must place it on a shelf.
9. You Could Freeze it
Although this is not recommended, there are some brands of dry pet food that could be frozen for up to six months. This will ensure that it remains edible and that it still has the same flavor as it did before. If you are planning on freezing excess, ensure that you double wrap it in a container or bag.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide range of things that you can do, all of which will allow you to properly store your pet’s dry food. Not only will it be fresher for a longer time, but it will also ensure that the food is healthy and that it does not cause any health problems when consumed by your furry friend.
Hence, now that you are aware of all the things you can – and surely must do – you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, you should go back to the beginning of this list, determining which storing option might be best for you, and then store your pet’s dry food properly and securely.
