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The technique is important.
How many of you actually think about the way that your dog food is stored? Usually, we just buy it and bring it home and put it on a shelf… or we might open the bag and transfer the dog food into another storage container. I have even seen dog owners leave the dog food bag open. Right?
Sometimes, transferring dog food can cause the food to become less nutritious, which exposes our pet to multiple health risks.
How should I store my dog food?
Dog food should be stored in a cool area with temperatures under 80F. It also needs to be an area with low humidity. If dog food is exposed to temperatures about 80 degrees or exposed to high humidity, the fats in the food can become rancid and the nutrients in the food can break down and the food can get mold and bacteria in it.
Pet food should should not be exposed to extreme cold either so don’t store your dog food where it might be exposed to freezing conditions.
Should I store the food in the original bag?
Yes! Manufacturers of dog food test how long the shelf life of the dog food is so storing the dog food in the bag it came in protects the food. You can put the food in another container, but leave it in the original bag, then put the whole bag in an airtight container. Be sure the bag gets closed good after you use it because when the food is exposed to air, it can cause the nutrients in the food to break down and expose the dog food to different types of bacteria in the environment. Also, if for some reason you need the dog food information (example: a recall on the food), it is found on the bag. If you do take the dog food out of the original bag and put it in some other type of container, be sure to keep the information on the original bag in case you need it. Pay attention to the date on the dog food bag.
Store the food out of reach
Make sure your dog can’t reach the bag of dog food. Some dogs that like to chew could chew a hole in the bag and eat excessively. Also, if it is on the floor, there is a chance that rodents, insects, or other pests could get in the food.
Storage Mites
Storage Mites can also contaminate dry dog food. This mostly occurs when pet food is left opened, but occasionally, they can even get in bags that are closed. The mites like protein-rich and fat-rich foods. Pet mites cause allergies in dogs. If your dog gets a storage mite allergy, it’s usually not life-threatening, but it can cause distress to your dog. These allergies are from a tiny spider-like creature that lives in our homes and eats food, such as grain, flour and dry dog food. You can’t see these storage mites but under a microscope, they look kind of like a white or tan flea, but they have eight legs like a spider.
Symptoms of Storage Mites
Some symptoms of storage mites are:
*Crusty skin
*Excessive licking
*Hives
*Red and watery eyes
*Runny nose
*Scratching
*Sneezing
*Wheezing
The symptoms can vary depending on the dog and the amount of storage mites found in the home.
Treatment of Storage Mites
If your dog has been diagnosed with an allergy from storage mites, antihistamines, corticosteroids and cortisone creams will help. Your vet may also prescribe a medicated shampoo and an antibiotic to help with itching and to prevent infection.
There are also Immunotherapy shots for your dog that your vet may recommend. Be sure and talk to your vet to see if your dog’s allergies are from storage mites.
https://wagwalking.com/condition/storage-mites-allergies
Canned Dog Food Storage
When storage unopened canned dog food, it should be at the same temperature as the dry dog food (40-80 degrees F). Do not freeze canned dog food because it can alter the taste, texture and the nutritional value of the food.
Canned dog that has been opened should be refrigerated immediately after use. Refrigerated canned dog food should be disposed of after 5 days.
Can I buy several bags at a time?
If there is a sale, we tend to want to buy several bags of dog food and store them. This isn’t a bad idea, but be sure you notice the “use before” date on the bags. If they will expire before you use them, it isn’t a good idea to buy in bulk. A bag of dog food should be used within 2-3 months of the purchase date. If you don’t use it within that time period, maybe buy smaller bags of dog food.
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
