SAFETY TIPS ON HOW TO STORE YOUR DOG OR CAT’S FOOD PROPERLY

We all want to feed our pets healthy, wholesome food, but could the food you serve your furry companion be stale, or even (heaven forbid) rancid?  Have you ever stopped to think about the impact of improper food storage on your companion’s health?

Storing and Serving the Food

How you store your dog or cat’s carefully chosen pet food may be just as important as what her diet contains. Improper storage techniques and lack of daily cleanliness can lead to bacterial infection, contamination and infestation.

The following mistakes are made by even the most informed and well-meaning pet parents. Breaking these habits will help ensure that your pet gets the freshest, healthiest food every meal time and will keep her happy, healthy, and strong.

COMMON MISTAKES

1. Dumping kibble into containers.

Storage containers are excellent for keeping your dog’s food fresher longer. The mistake that many pet parents make is pouring dry food directly into the container (I have this done this myself in the past!). Instead, experts recommend placing the bag itself into the storage bin and scooping out the kibble. Pet foods will retain their best flavor if stored in the original bag, which provides a fat barrier. This also prevents oils from adhering to the container and contaminating the next batch.

2. Leaving pet food unsealed.         

Exposure to the air causes food to go bad faster and increases the risk of contamination by harmful bacteria. Pet food should be sealed tightly between each feeding.

3. Storing food at high temperatures or humidity.

It may seem easier to store that cumbersome bag of dog food in the garage or on the back porch, but weather conditions like humidity can affect food’s freshness and safety. The experts at Hills Pet Nutrition recommend storing dry food and unopened canned food in a cool, dry environment to prevent vitamin loss and rancidity. Also, be sure bugs and animals cannot access the food.

4. Leaving food sitting out too long. 

Once opened, canned pet food should not be left un-refrigerated for longer than 2 to 4 hours.  To serve it after it has been refrigerated, place the amount you want to give your dog or cat in a microwavable dish and set it for 10-15 seconds to warm it up.  This will make the food more aromatic and appetizing, and it’s a great help for picky eaters.

It is recommended that your cat or dog’s food bowl of dry kibble be washed and filled fresh each day.

Dry food/kibble has an approximate ‘fresh’ life of two weeks once it has been opened. Although the small print on the bag may say the that bag has a “best before” date, that refers to when the bag is unopened.  Once opened, oxygen gets to the kibble and oxidation starts.  Oxidation occurs as soon as the oil in the kibble comes into contact with oxygen from the environment.  The oil reacts with oxygen and initiates an undesirable series of chemical reactions that eventually produce rancidity in the oil of the kibble. Most dry pet foods are loaded with many different fats and oils, and some of those fats are extremely sensitive to oxygen. When oxidation takes place, the fats turn rancid.

How to Enhance the Life of Dry Pet Food

• Buy smaller bags of dry food and try to have the contents of the used bag consumed within 7 days (ideally).  This may not be cost effective, but you may be able to find good deals on sites like Chewy.com. They also have a discount if you sign up for auto-ship regular deliveries.
• Purchase kibble without the fats and add your own fresh fat sources. Adding fish oil to the food at the time it’s served is an example.
• If you purchase larger bags, store the kibble in the freezer to prevent oxidization.
• Never buy bags of pet food that are torn or damaged.
• If you use plastic containers to store kibble, keep the food in the original bag and then place that bag into the plastic container.
• Remember: The long-term consumption of rancid fats for pets leads to long-term health problems for them.  If your dog or cat refuses to eat the kibble, do not force them. They may be telling you something!

5. Allowing small children to handle pet food.

Small children are not known for having the cleanest hands and they could contaminate your pet’s meal by not washing up before handling the food.  While it is great to teach older kids responsibility by having them help out with feedings, younger kids should probably sit this chore out.

6. Using pet food after its expiration date.

Expiration or “Best By” dates on pet food tell you the date that a particular manufacturer has determined the food no longer provides your pet with proper nutrition, but serious cases of health problems and illness from expired food have been reported. Be sure to check the bag or cans before purchasing to ensure that the expiration date is well in the future.

7. Not washing bowls between feedings.

The FDA recommends washing pet food bowls and utensils with dish soap and hot water between every use to prevent infectious agents such as Salmonella. Think about it, would you use the same dishes and cutlery over and over without a wash?

Keeping The Bowls Clean
 

Both food and water bowls for dogs and cats can harbor a variety of germs and bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which is why it’s so important to disinfect them regularly.  These bacteria can cause illness in both pets and people. The young, elderly, and those having impaired immune systems are especially at risk from these types of bacteria.

Many pet parents are guilty of simply refilling the water bowl when it gets close to empty, but the water that sits around will form a slimy residue that hosts dangerous bacteria and fungus that can begin to grow. Some pet guardians may not even notice that their pet will start shying away from a dirty water bowl and become mildly dehydrated or, worse yet, seek water from unsafe areas indoors or out.  Pets will also eat their food and then go to their water bowl, depositing food in the bowl while they drink. The food that falls into their water bowl helps to further the contamination of the water.

Water should be changed at least once a day, and the bowl should be washed with hot, soapy water and rinsed well. Do not “top it off” when the level gets low. Instead, wash the bowl and fill it with cold, fresh water.

The cleanest, safest options for pet bowls are either stainless steel or ceramic.

Plastic is not advised because it is very porous and can scratch easily. Both of these things make it much easier for algae, mold, and bacteria to collect and grow. Plastic dishes may contain a hazardous substance called BPA which leaches into your pet’s water and is a known carcinogen. This can break down further in the dishwasher. Plastics also absorbs odors and become unpleasant to a pet’s sensitive sense of smell.

According to a NSF (Natural Science Foundation), yeast, mold, and coli-form bacteria (which includes Salmonella and E.coli) have been found in dog bowls.

A study published in a Canadian Veterinarian Journal stated that a hot water rinse is not effective, and is comparable to doing nothing at all.

Pet bowls should be cleaned with hot,soapy water daily, and disinfected at least once a week with a bleach solution. Add ½ cup of Clorox Regular Bleach to a gallon of water and let the bowls soak for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and letting them air dry. Soaking the bowls in the solution for 10 minutes will also kill parvo, which is a leading cause of severe illness and death in dogs under six months old (although it’s worth noting that dogs older than six months of age are not immune!).

Also, be sure not to use an abrasive sponge when cleaning because you need to avoid scratches and grooves. Baking soda can be used, and is a great cleaning agent.

Like food bowls, placemats made with harder materials, like plastic, can be disinfected with a bleach solution and pet owners should do this regularly. Placemats that are made of soft fabrics can be washed in a washing machine, so check to ensure those types of placemats are machine-washable before you purchase them.

Three Best Ways To Wash Your Pet’s Bowls Daily

1. Run them through the hottest cycle of the dishwasher to get them clean and sterilized.

2. Wash and thoroughly rinse with dish detergent and a clean non-abrasive sponge to release all organic material from the sides of the bowls.

3. Try scrubbing with a mix of equal parts baking soda, salt and warm water.

Remember:

Store all unopened pet food in a cool, dry place.

Opened canned pet food should not sit un-refrigerated for more than 2-4 hours.

Thoroughly wash bowls and replace uneaten dry kibble in bowls daily with fresh kibble.

Buy food to last no more than 4 to 6 weeks at a time. Once you open the bag, that is Day One. Buying in volume or taking advantage of sales is of no benefit to your animal if the food will lose potency before it’s been consumed.  Depending on temperature and humidity, pet food will start oxidizing and losing nutrient content. You can freeze or refrigerate kibble in sealed ziplock bags to extend shelf life for up to 6 months.

An open bag of dry kibble should be placed into an air-tight container, but keep it in its original bag before placing it in the container.

Use stainless steel or ceramic bowls for your pet’s food and water.

Wash your pet’s food and water bowls daily.

Replace water at least once a day. It’s not enough to add fresh water to the bowl. You need to wash the bowl of food bits, hair, dust and other matter that collects daily in the water. Also refill the water bowl if the water level gets too low.

When a pet’s food or water bowl starts to look worn and scratched, replace it.

Your pet is depending on you for good care, and when you love your dog or cat, providing the healthiest, cleanest food shouldn’t be a task. It’s something that caring pet owners want to do for their fur babies.