Can Dog Dry Food Go Bad In Heat
Food for dogs has to be carefully kept and shielded from extreme heat. Although dry dog food won’t deteriorate readily in the heat, it will dry out. Depending on the recipe, some will disintegrate into small bits while others will stiffen. The food will eventually go rotten from prolonged exposure to high heat.
Now that you know the main ways you can tell that your dry dog food has gone bad, let us talk about some things you can do to help make sure that food lasts as long as possible. Any container that you use for dry dog food storage needs to be sealed airtight so the food is protected from oxidation so that it maintains a fresh flavor. Many pet owners have discovered that opening up the dry dog food bag and dropping the entire bag in the container for storing the dog food keeps the food fresh and safe from rats and insects.
You can keep the dry food in a bowl until your dog has eaten all of it, provided that the bowl is placed in a cool, dry area, out of direct sunlight, and where insects or vermin cannot get to it. To keep your dog from sneaking nibbles from the side, be sure the location you chose to store your dogs dry food is secure and cannot reach your dog. Pouring the kibble directly into a food-storage container is not recommended, as you cannot restrict how much air is in the container. If using a plastic container for pet food storage, wash the container after you have used it up, and be sure that it is fully dry before adding any new food.
To avoid unneeded contact with air and moisture, which rapidly deteriorates food and increases risk for bacteria such as salmonella, your pet food needs to be sealed inside a secure container after each feeding. Do not store pet food (even in bags or unopened jars) in the garage or a barn, where temperatures may reach more than 100 degrees F. Ideally, unopened dried food and canned foods should be kept at room temperature and kept out of heat, moisture, and contamination.
If ambient temperatures are above 50F, the food bowls for pets should be empty of all moist or canned foods not consumed by the cat or dog within 4 hours. Then, if dry kibble from your dog is exposed to a 120degF (48degC) temperature, it may begin to spoil within 48 hours. When you have more dry kibble than your dog will consume before expiration, you can freeze it up to 6 months. When food is aged for long periods in cans, or exposed to high temperatures, like 95 degrees Fahrenheit, it will spoil quickly.
First of all, the heat may cause oils and fats in food to turn rancid, making food unhealthy for your dogs. High temperatures and humidity may accelerate the process of food degradation, causing nutrients to break down in the dry dog food. Over time, exposure to sunlight increases ambient temperatures, along with humidity within the dog food package, leading to dehydration and contamination with salmonella and other bacteria.
In addition, the moisture content of dry dog food is another factor affecting product shelf-life. Allowing dried dog food to sit in an elevated temperature environment can result in rancidity of oil present in the food, so this is not recommended. While it is okay to leave our air dried food outside to let your pets munch on throughout the day, remember it will be exposed to bacteria, and thus can spoil and go rancid for as long as it is left outside. After being left outside, dog food becomes unsafe to eat as meat is dried out, while fat is dried out and turns rancid.
When dogs eat expired food, it causes serious irritation in their stomachs, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. An unhealthy or anxious dog who does not want to eat, or shows other signs of illness or discomfort, may eat your groceries. Bad tainted dry dog food simply creates an upset in their stomach, which can lead to veterinarian surgery.
Expired pet food usually smells bad, leading to a dog turning his nose up at his food bowl–but it may be too motivated by the food to notice, making it essential that a human takes note. If your pets smell at the bowl and turn their heads, or eat some of it before walking off, something may not smell right in their food.
Remember to bring in a sample of the food that you suspect has been consumed by your dog, so that your veterinarian can assess it for toxins, and eventually provide better care to your furry friend. Be sure to inspect food before feeding your dog if they have been exposed to heat for any amount of time. There is a critical caveat: If the food smells rancid, the expired dog food likely is, so do not give it to Fido in a garbage bin.
Dry food is so crucial to dogs, as it provides nutrients for dogs in times when they cannot eat wet food. Dry food is usually cheaper than wet food, but lacks the necessary vitamins and minerals dogs need.
Since dry kibble, wet food, ultra-processed fresh, and frozen fresh dog food will all spoil rapidly after you open the package, it is important to take steps to prolong the shelf life and maintain the quality. Unopened dried dog foods have a one-year shelf life, while unopened canned pet foods have two years shelf life from date of manufacture. Unopened bags of Pedigree(r) dry dog food have a one-year shelf life, whereas unopened jars and pouches of our wet dog food are good for two years from the date of manufacture by PEDIGREE(r). Of course, you want to keep your dogs eating nourishing meals, so you should be aware of the length of time that we warrant our products.
Knowing how to properly store your dogs food to keep them from spoiling, knowing the signs of contamination, and understanding the difference between the “best-by” and “expiration” dates are all important aspects when it comes to feeding your pets. Whether you purchase dog food and treats one bag at a time, or you choose to purchase bulk, proper storage is crucial in keeping your pet member of your family healthy, nutritious, and tasty. Once you have opened your food bags, expiration dates are not valid anymore, and the food has a maximum shelf life of 6 weeks.
How long does it take for dry dog food to spoil?
Sealed bags of dried dog food can often be kept for up to a year and 6 months after production if they are stored appropriately. You should try to utilize dehydrated dog food within six weeks of opening it. It will be easier to keep the dog food as fresh as possible if you store it appropriately.
Can old dog food make your dog sick?
If the dog ingests spoiled or outdated dog food, you might see gastrointestinal distress symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. But based on the pathogen, the dog can get quite sick. If germs like E. coli are not treated, they can lead to infections that are fatal.
How can you tell if dog food is rancid?
If there is a noticeable sour or rancid odour, your dog food is spoiled. You will notice moisture, mould, or bugs because the bag’s expiration date has passed. It is not a good idea to keep your cat or dog’s food in an uncontrolled environment, such as a garage or outside. Keep the food in a cool and dry place.