It’s happened to all of us. You go to the grocery store, buy a big bag of dog food, and when you get home you realize that it expired two months ago. This is uncommon but you could also have dry or wet food that is close to its expiration date. The question then becomes, can you still feed it to your pup?
The short answer is yes, you can still feed your dog expired food. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, expired dry food is not going to be as nutritious as fresh food. This means that if your dog is eating a diet of primarily expired dry food, they may not be getting all the nutrients they need. It’s important to supplement their diet with fresh food or supplements to make sure they’re getting everything they need.
Second, expired wet food can go bad and cause your dog to get sick. If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
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What is the expiry period for dog food?
Unopened dry pet food have a shelf life of 12-18 months. Canned food are good for two years from the date of manufacture. Expired food may not be as nutritious
Wet food can go bad and cause your dog to get sick
If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
Yes, you can feed your dog expired dog food, but it’s not a good idea. And there is one important detail to keep in mind which is that if the stench is rancid, then it’s most likely rancid; therefore, don’t feed it to your dog.
Issues with expired dog food:
Low nutritional value:
The first thing to consider is that once food expires, it starts to lose its nutritional value. This means that if your dog is eating a diet of primarily expired dry food, they may not be getting all the nutrients they need.
It’s important to supplement their diet with fresh food or supplements to make sure they’re getting everything they need.
Wet food can go bad and make your dog sick:
While dry food may not be as nutritious after it expires, wet food can actually go bad and cause your dog to get sick. If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
Contamination:
Another thing to consider is that expired food may be contaminated with bacteria or other harmful substances. This is why it’s important to inspect the food before feeding it to your dog. If the food looks or smells bad, it’s best to throw it away.
When in doubt, throw it out:
Spoiled fat:
When fat goes bad, it produces a rancid smell. If the food smells rancid, it’s best to throw it out. When spoiled, it produces an intense rotting smell.
Growth of molds:
Molds can cause serious health problems in dogs, including respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. If you see any mold on the food, it’s best to throw it away. Penicillium spp, is a fungus that grows on aging food and produces a toxin called penicillin.
While this may not be harmful to humans, it can be deadly to dogs. If you see any mold on the food, it’s best to throw it away.
ASPCA has classified moldy dog food as toxic and the symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
- Jaundice
- Coma
If your dog has any of these symptoms, please take them to the vet immediately.
Rancid food:
Rancid food has a sour or off smell. It can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, including vomiting and diarrhea. If the food smells bad, it’s best to throw it away.
Expired dog food is not as nutritious as fresh food
If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
Wet food can go bad and make your dog sick:
If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
what to do with expired dog food?
If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
It’s important to inspect the food before feeding it to your dog. If the food looks or smells bad, it’s best to throw it away.
FoodCycle.org suggests these three options for handling expired dry food:
1. Donate it to a local shelter or rescue group.
2. Return it to the manufacturer for a refund or exchange.
3. Throw it away.
For wet food, they suggest these three options:
1. Donate it to a local shelter or rescue group.
2. Return it to the manufacturer for a refund or exchange.
3. Cook it and eat it yourself. (Make sure to check the can for bulging, rust, or leaks first.)
Backyard Composting:
Another option for expired dry food is to backyard compost it. This can be done by adding the food to your compost bin or tumbler along with other organic materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. The food will break down over time and add nutrients to your soil.
Can you use dog food after the expiration date?
Yes, you may use dog food after the expiration date if it has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
It’s important to inspect the food before feeding it to your dog. If the food looks or
If the food has been stored properly and is still in its original packaging, it should be fine. However, if the food has been opened and stored in a different container, it may not be as fresh and could cause your dog to get sick.
It’s important to inspect the food before feeding it to your dog. If the food looks or smells bad, it’s best to throw it away.
You have three options for handling expired dry food:
- 1. Donate it to a local shelter or rescue group.
- 2. Return it to the manufacturer for a refund or exchange.
- 3. Throw it away.
For wet food, you have these three options:
- 1. Donate it to a local shelter or rescue group.
- 2. Return it to the manufacturer for a refund or exchange.
- 3. Cook it and eat it yourself. (Make sure to check the can for bulging, rust, or leaks first.)
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
