Admit it : You did n’t be intimate dog food has an expiration date . It ’s not like the dog food sits around for months — your four - legged , swiftness - eating champ makes sure of that — so does the expiration date really matter ?
“ It ’s important for preferred possessor to note the going date on their wienerwurst food package to prevent eating cash in one’s chips or colly food to their bounder , ” explains Dr. Megan McCarthy , a veterinarian at the Best Friends Animal Society Lifesaving Center in Salt Lake City , Utah . “ Expired dog food may have a loss in nutritional timber and may cause unwellness . ”
Despite the grandness of listen the expiration date , more than 10 percent of preferent possessor never ascertain the expiration see on favourite food publicity and 7 percent take to feed their deary expired kibble , harmonise to 2021 research ( 1 ) .
Does Dog Food Expire?
say the fine mark : The expiration date on your dog food label is meant to be taken gravely .
The going date , which is often print near the barcode on frank food promotion , is different from the “ unspoilt by ” or “ sell by ” dates , concord toDr . Oscar Chavez , a veterinarian and former leader of the Canine Nutrition Team at JustFoodForDogs .
“ [ The ] expiry day of the month is the date the manufacturer recommends toss the product , ” he explains . “ [ The ‘ adept by ’ and ‘ betray by ’ dates indicate ] when the maker recommend the food be sold and used by . This does n’t ensure the solid food is reinvigorated , only that it can still be sell and should not be foil . ”
Different sort of dog nutrient have dissimilar termination dates : Dr. Chavez notes that conventional kibble and wet dog foods can have a shelf aliveness of up to two age ; unused frozen favorite foods will last a few months in the freezer ; and impertinent ultra - processed pet foods will expire in a few weeks . All dog food for thought will queer more quickly after the packaging is open , he adds .
Does Dry Dog Food Expire?
teetotal dog food does expire . Unopened , a bag of dry dog solid food can last up to two year , say Dr. Chavez . Once the bag is open , it should be used within 4 - 6 calendar week .
“ Kibble is ultra - processed pet food and contains preservative designed to give it a long ledge living , ” Dr. Chavez says . “ Most dry pet food will go bad at home well before its sell by appointment due to fatness going rancid , high-risk manipulation and photograph to the elements . Assume a bag of dry nutrient will go bad in a few week after it ’s opened no matter what the termination escort is . ”
Does Wet Dog Food Expire?
Wet ( canned ) bounder food also has an expiration day of the month . An unopened can could have a ledge lifetime as long as two days , reckon on the manufacturer , but , once the top is pop , Dr. McCarthy mark that , even in the refrigerator , it will go badly speedily .
“ After open a can [ of blotto dog nutrient ] , it should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three day , ” she say . “ If it ’s leave at elbow room temperature , dismiss nutrient should be disposed of after two 60 minutes . ”
Moisture , heating and exposure to air can stimulate sloshed food to go rancid or allow bacteria and mold to develop . When wet food for thought pass bad , it may have a foul odor , change in color or obvious mold ontogeny — but Dr. McCarthy note that those sign may not always be present , add together , “ that is why it ’s of import to dispose of any spread out force out food if not used within three days and any unopened force out solid food if past its expiration date . ”
Is Expired Dog Food Safe?
You might not need to look at the expiration date to have sex that a pet food is past its prime . perish pet foods often smell off , leading your wiener to change by reversal up his olfactory organ at the food bowl — but he might be too food propel to notice , so it ’s crucial for the human race to pay up tending .
“ Just like our food , fresh food smells like food and bad food smells off , ” Dr. Chavez says . “ Dogs may acknowledge before we do because they are more sensitive , so if your domestic dog rejects his favorite repast , it might be spoilt . ”
Expired foods are not only unappetizing , they could cause wellness issues , accord to Dr. Chavez .
“ Just like us , [ heel ] can get unhinged [ from feed expired dog food ] , ” he explains . “ In more severe cases , they can have vomiting , diarrhoea and discontinue eat altogether . ”
If you unintentionally feed your hungry hound expired food , Dr. McCarthy evoke reach your veterinarian
“ If your positron emission tomography recently consumed ( within the last hour ) , your veterinarian may induct vomiting to prevent any issues with the expired nutrient , ” she say . “ you could also monitor your hound for any signs of illness or stomach disquieted like vomiting and diarrhea , and contact your veterinary surgeon if any headache rise . ”
What to Do with Expired Dog Food
The best thing to do with expired food is toss it in the codswallop . Put it in a ice bag and and toss away that bag in a covered trash can or receptacle to prevent wildlife or outdoor pets from accessing it , Dr. McCarthy advises .
“ Some local waste disposal or recycle curriculum may also use compost programs for expired foods and pet food , so you’re able to also attain out to your local waste management program , ” she impart .
How to Keep Dog Food Fresh
Since kibble , wet nutrient , fresh radical - processed and fresh frozen dog foods all go bad quick once the packaging is open , it ’s important to take stairs to extend the shelf life and conserve the quality .
Shop more often : Almost one - stern of favorite parent purchased two bundle of favourite solid food at a time even though 64 percent of pets took at least four week to consume one bag of food , according to research ( 1 ) . Buying several software program might save on extra trips to the store but could increase the odds that your dog food expires before your pooch polishes off the entire bag .
Make space in the deep-freeze : hive away fresh , frozen foods in the freezer can extend their shelf aliveness — but Dr. Chavez offers one caution .
“ If it ’s been disclose to rut or previously frozen and melt above 40 grade Fahrenheit , freezing is not recommended , ” he says .
Practice dependable storage : leave dry hound food unsealed , pouring kibble into plastic containers or result food for thought out too long are among the most commondog solid food storage mistakes to avoid . alternatively , Dr. Chavez evoke leaving dog solid food in itsoriginal packagingand lay in it in a cool , dry berth with limited pic to rut and light source .
pay tending to the breathing out on your dog ’s food for thought ensure that your furry friend is benefiting from all of the flavor and nutrients her dog food for thought should provide and protect her from likely illness .
