If you’re a dog owner, then you know that one of the most expensive and regular expenses is feeding your pup. Dogs need to eat a lot of food each day, and it can be tough on your wallet if you don’t have an unlimited supply.
How to store Dry Dog Food Long Term
Below are some ways you can follow to store dry dog food for a long time; whether it be for one month or five years.
1) Store your bag of food in a clean, dry area out of direct sunlight.
2) Store the dog food in an airtight container or sealed-up Ziploc bag. You can also use mason jars, buckets with lids, Tupperware containers, etc.
3) Keep your dog food at a cool temperature. If you’re storing the food in the garage or outside during summer, then consider moving it into a shed or other enclosed area that has a stable temperature.
4) Make sure you label your storage containers clearly! Before putting a dog food container away in storage, write down what kind of food and how much food is inside so you can easily identify it later.
5) Rotate your dog’s food every six months or so, to ensure that the food doesn’t expire. In other words, don’t store all of your dog’s food in one container! If you open a new bag of dry dog food, rotate it into your current storage container so it’ll be easier to access when you need it.
6) When rotating the food, don’t just go by the expiry date! Dry dog foods usually last longer than what’s written on the food label, so pay attention to how much time has passed since you first stored that bag of dog food. You can also do a smell test by giving the food a squeeze, or gently opening it up. If you can’t identify what type of dog food it is, then throw it away.
7) Keep your dog’s food fresh for as long as possible by storing them in clean containers that are free from dust and moisture. Don’t be lazy about cleaning the container either, or you’ll end up with a nasty-smelling food container!
8) You can also invest in oxygen absorbers to keep your dog’s food fresh for longer. Look online for where to find these items, and make sure you get the right size so it doesn’t take up too much room in your storage container.
9) Don’t forget to rotate your dog’s food every six months or so. If you store large quantities of dog food for long periods, then you’ll need to gradually use it up by rotating it on a regular basis.
10) If you’re storing large amounts of dry soft dog food, think about investing in a pet food storage container instead of separating it up into smaller containers. You’ll save time and effort, as well as prevent wasting food!
11) A lot of pet owners wonder if they should store dog food in the fridge or freezer. There’s no need to do this with dry dog food that doesn’t require refrigeration, but you can feel free to store wet dog food in the fridge to keep it fresh for a longer period of time.
12) For long-term storage, use an airtight container that has a sealable lid and is made from either glass, plastic or metal. Remember that most dog food bags don’t have these features, so you’ll need a separate container in order to store your bag of dog food.
13) For wet dog food, put an oxygen absorber in the container before sealing it up to keep the food fresh.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com
