Having a dog at home is like raising a little child, keeping them well maintained with proper vaccinations, giving the right amount of food, getting new toys for them & cuddling them to bits. Many researchers believe that spending time with a pet is therapeutic as it decreases the stress level in our bodies. Apart from keeping a tab about the nutritional benefits of our pets, we must ensure to store our pet food in a clean, cool & dry place.
Now you can purchase all the necessary and high-quality stuff for your furry babies right from your oneapp. Go to the market tab and find your nearest pet store.
Let’s discuss some of the important tips we must keep in mind while storing our dog food correctly:
5 IMPORTANT TIPS FOR STORING DOG FOOD
Do not store dog food besides fertilisers or cleaning products: We must never store dog food besides fertilisers for our garden or any washing products since they contain certain chemicals in them which can be harmful to our dog & might get contaminated with it. It’s always best to store our dog food on cool, dry shelves without much exposure to stuff that may pose a threat for contaminating bacterias or harmful chemicals. We must never ever store dog food in our garage as it may get exposed to insects & rodents.
Never store dry dog food out of its original bag: We must always store the dog food in a metal or plastic container with the food bag provided as it is specially designed to maintain the freshness & flavours of the food for a longer period. Many pet parents store the dry food directly in a sealed container but that may cause the food to go off more quickly, scratching the surface of the containers which can hold bacteria & spoil the food. It’s important to store the food with packaging as one may keep a track of the packaging/expiry date of the food with the ingredients mentioned at the back of the pack.
Seal your dog food: Make sure to seal your dog food in proper airtight containers. Folding up the food pack or leaving the food unsealed is a big NO as oxygen causes the fat in the food to go rancid which ruins the flavour of the food & can even make your dog sick. Every time you take out some food, make sure to seal the lid of the container as tight as possible or the air & humidity will contaminate the dog food with harmful bacterias like salmonella & storage mites which can cause severe diseases.
Choose the right place to store dog food: Dry food & unopened canned food must be stored in a cool, dry place sealed in an airtight container. Sunlight & humidity are known to be dog food’s nemeses. Direct exposure to sunlight or high temperatures can spoil the food & contaminate it with bacteria. Your kitchen cabinets are an ideal place to store dog food. Make sure to refill your dog food in the container after it’s clean & empty. Do not top up your food containers if there is still a portion of dog food left inside since the leftover fat & crumbs can turn stale & spoil the entire food in the container.
Storing canned pet food properly: When you open canned food to feed your dog, make sure to refrigerate it within 2hours of opening it. Wet dog food which has been left out can be contaminated easily by harmful bacterias & flies can also hover around them. An opened can should not be kept in the fridge for more than 3 days. It’s always better to throw away the excess food from the cans which your dog refuses to eat. Always toss out the canned food in secured tied plastic bags, placing it in covered trash so that your dog isn’t tempted to dig in. When using canned pet foods, make sure to tightly cover it with a reusable lid, refrigerate it properly & use it within 3 days.
SOME MORE TIPS
Apart from maintaining the above-stated points, we must also :
- Make sure to always ask your pet shop about the period beyond which an opened bag must not be consumed.
- Do not risk your dog’s health by feeding it expired food as it can lead to severe dehydration & vomiting. Always ensure to check the use keeping in mind the manufacturing & expiry date.
- Keep your dog food beyond the reach of small children as they usually avoid washing their hands frequently which might contaminate the dog food.
- Vets recommend washing the pet utensils properly using dish soap & warm water between meal times as it prohibits the bacteria from building up. We must also use feeding bowls made using food grade materials only.
Storing your dog food is as important as choosing the right quality for your dog food. Choosing the right spot to store your dog food & sealing it in proper airtight containers will prevent harmful bacterias, insects & rodents from accessing it. You must also ensure that your little pooch must not be able to reach the food containers as most pets end up overeating causing bloating & indigestion.