Dry dog ​​food storage temperature. Storage of prepared animal feed. Leave food uncovered

A lot of people, when choosing food for their dog, stop at ready-made food. Good dry food contains vitamins and minerals that are essential for a dog's health. But if the food is stored incorrectly, it can become dangerous: lead to poisoning of the animal. Even avid dog lovers can sometimes not understand that they themselves made a mistake. So what is the right way to store food?

• The simplest and most understandable rule for everyone is to keep food closed.

This product often attracts rodents and insects that carry infections. Even a bug can accidentally get into the package and lay eggs there, which subsequently makes healthy food harmful. If your home has never had a single insect, food still needs to be covered - it can also deteriorate from the usual long contact with air.

As for canned food, they should not stand open outside the refrigerator for more than four hours. Ideally, the pet should immediately eat a canned lunch.

• Shelf life

Everything here is for people. Despite the fact that dogs have a fairly strong body, expired food will not do them any good. After the expiration of the period of use, vitamins and minerals lose their beneficial and nutritional properties, which means that the dog will eat the usual tasteless crackers.

This is just one of the rules, which, as it turns out, many do not know. Storing food in a container is very convenient and practical, but you need to do it wisely. Experts say that food should be placed in a container along with the factory package.

This is important so that the product does not lose its smell. The dog will be much more pleasant to eat flavored food. In addition, the container absorbs additional fats from the food - but dogs must absorb them. Factory packaging has a special paper that preserves the product. And, in the end, you do not have to wash the container.

Do not store food on the balcony

Due to increased temperature or humidity, alas, some convenient places to store supplies disappear. For example, a balcony or a garage. There are no such problems with small packages, but those who buy huge bags at once have faced this issue at least once. Experts advise finding a dry and cool place in the apartment so that all the vitamins are preserved. Keep the food closed, and preferably where the dog cannot get, in order to avoid gluttonous outings.

• You should always wash your dog's bowl

We never eat from dirty dishes, and neither should dogs. This is basic hygiene. Veterinarians say that the bowl should be washed after each meal in hot water with dishwashing detergent. If food remains in the bowl, it must not be mixed with new food.

Follow these simple rules - then eating will be both healthy and safe for your pet!

The undoubted advantage of dry food is that it has a long shelf life and does not deteriorate without a refrigerator. They can be stocked up for future use, which is very convenient for busy people and residents of remote settlements. However, there are certain dry food storage conditions that every cat or dog owner should be aware of.

Shelf life of dry food

If the package is not opened, it can be stored until the expiration date indicated by the manufacturer after the words "Best before...". Of course, after this date, dry food does not turn into poison instantly, but the indicators of guaranteed analysis may change, for example, the content of some vitamins will decrease, and most importantly, rancidity of fats will occur, which already threatens with unpleasant consequences. Therefore, when buying, it is so important to pay attention to dates and dates.

Some manufacturers indicate only the date of manufacture and the period during which the food will remain fresh - in this case, you need to calculate the shelf life yourself.

Preservatives are different

As a rule, dry food is stored no longer than 18 months, during which the action of natural antioxidants (sources of tocopherols) that usually preserves quality food lasts. If a longer shelf life is provided, this brand of dry food is likely to contain artificial preservatives.

They reliably protect products from bacterial growth and oxidation, but are considered less safe than natural antioxidants.

How long dry food can be stored after opening the package depends on the manufacturer's recommendations. Usually this period is no more than 3 months. If during this period your pet does not have time to eat the contents of the package, you should consider other packaging options.

Store dry food, as advised by most manufacturers, in a dark, dry and cool place, with particular emphasis on the tightness of the packaging. Direct sunlight and air access dramatically accelerate the process of fat oxidation, reducing the shelf life of the product.

Excess moisture provokes the formation of mold, and also creates an excellent breeding ground for saprophyte mites. When these invisible pests are introduced into the bag, the pellets look like they are covered with dust and become unfit for consumption.

In country houses, rodents can also be added to these misfortunes, which not only significantly reduce your stocks, but are also carriers of dangerous infections. The latter can also be attributed to flies, which not only spread harmful bacteria, but also lay eggs in food products.

To make food storage convenient and airtight, it is best to buy a special tank with a lid made of food-grade plastic or stainless steel. If you just poured the granules into a container, save the information from the package or write down the day it was opened. So you will always remember how long dry food is stored and by what date it must be used.

But still, it is better to put the entire bag into the container, letting the air out of it, carefully wrapping the top edge and securing it with paper clips or clothespins. Sometimes manufacturers equip feed bags with a zip zipper - a special fastener that allows you to repeatedly open and close the package while maintaining its integrity.

This is convenient when the bag of food is small and will not be stored for long. In other cases, it is better to play it safe and wrap the package as we outlined above. Following these simple rules will help maintain the nutritional value of the food and its appeal to pets.

Dry food is the choice of millions of pet dog owners around the world. Which brands of dry food are considered the best can be found from. But in order for this type of food to be as safe and correct as possible, please adhere to the following storage rules.

Proper storage of dry food is not only protection against rodents, insects and dust mites, but also from their possible traces of vital activity: for example, bacteria that cause leptospirosis in dogs; or insect eggs. And if moisture gets into the food, then mites and toxic mold can start in it (when the food seems to be sprinkled with dust). Incorrect storage of dry dog ​​food can cause gastrointestinal problems and even lead to severe food poisoning.

The main condition for proper storage is dryness and tightness. Immediately after opening the bag, pour the food into a dry, clean and tightly sealed container. If the package is small and equipped with a zip latch, then it is not necessary to pour the food, the main thing is to always close it tightly. Oxygen, all kinds of bacteria living in the air, the sun's rays - all this has an extremely negative effect on the taste and quality indicators of the feed. Oxidized, it becomes tasteless, and the animal may simply refuse to eat it. That is why we do not recommend buying dry food by weight, especially in those stores where open packages just sit on the floor. If dry food is exposed to direct sunlight and air, then this threatens to lose all useful properties, taste and makes it unsuitable for consumption.

- one of the best solutions, especially if you are purchasing large volume bags. As a rule, such containers are made of an inert material that does not affect the taste and chemical characteristics of the feed in any way, and can protect the feed from possible rodents, insects, mold and oxidation. And in the case of especially mischievous dogs that gnaw through packages of food, also from them.

So, the basic rules for storing dry dog ​​food:

• The main condition for proper storage is room or slightly cool temperature (18-20 degrees is considered optimal), darkness, dryness and tightness.
• If the manufacturer's packaging has a secure zip fastener, then it is not necessary to use an additional container. Otherwise, store food in a glass, plastic, or tin container, choosing trusted and trusted brands.
• DO NOT store the bag open and accessible to free access to oxygen, dust, sunlight, bacteria, rodents, etc.
• The dry food container or package must NOT be exposed to direct sunlight or near heat sources.
• DO NOT store dry food in the refrigerator: Moisture and odors from your refrigerator, as well as possible bacteria and germs found on unprocessed foods, can be harmful to your pet if they get into dry food.
• Always read the manufacturer's recommendations for food storage on the packaging.

How to choose the right food container?

• Give preference to well-established brands: for example, the Polish brand, or the Italian Stefanplast. The materials from which such containers are made will be 100% safe for your pet's food. Remember, not all plastic is safe, not all plastic is food grade.
• The safest food storage material is glass containers. The only problem is that there are almost no such containers on sale. For a small volume, you can use a glass jar, but you need to store it strictly in a dark place.
• Tin containers are also suitable for storing dry food, but such containers are very rare.
• Choose the size of the container that you really need. If you have one small dog, then you should not buy 25 kg bags. Based on the figure, how many kg of food your pet eats in 1 month, or what packages you usually take food. No matter how good the container is, it is always better to give fresh food, not one that has been open for several months.
• Containers on wheels, or with an internal scale in grams, with a convenient measuring cup or spatula. All this is selected based on your needs.

Dog food is developed based on knowledge of animal physiology. Their diet should cover the body's need for nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Distinguish between dry and wet food.

Dry dog ​​food

Dry food is a granulated product with a moisture content of 10-12%, balanced in composition and enriched with vitamins and microelements.

Science Plan offers quality balanced nutrition for dogs of different physiological groups. Presciption Diet - makes food for pets with health problems. Hills manufactures a line of first-class meat and grain foods. Other well-known manufacturers: Profine, Pro Pac, Orijen, Eukanuba, Acaha, Pedigree.

Wet food

Wet food is called canned food. The content of the liquid fraction is 75-80%. The product is nutritious as it contains a lot of fat. Wet food is made in the form of pieces with gravy or minced meat. This type of feed is divided into products for daily use and delicacy portions.

A pet food manufacturer usually has both dry and wet food in its lineup. Royal Canin offers canned food for pets with kidney disease. Happy Dog and Purina Pro Plan come in several wet canned flavor options. Quality canned food is produced as a treat, and there are also everyday options. Arden Grange produces hypoallergenic food without flavors and dyes.

How to distinguish in the store?

Dry food from wet food in the store is distinguished by packaging. Dry food is sold in plastic or paper bags or bags. Their volume is from 900 g to 16 kg and more. Canned wet food is packaged in a can or vacuum foil.

How to store dry food?

Dry dog ​​food pellets are stored in a clean, ventilated room with a relative humidity of 70-75%, at a temperature not exceeding 18°C. The temperature indicator is not critical, rather, it is necessary to prevent sunlight and the packaging from being near heating appliances.

The manufacturer indicates the shelf life on the packaging. Usually the duration of storage is 1-2 years. Feed, in which vitamin E is a preservative, is stored for no more than six months.

An open bag of food is kept tightly tied or closed with special clips. The industry offers special tanks, the use of which will prevent the feed from drying out or wetting. When purchasing a tank, pay attention to the presence of markings - "Suitable for food."

How to store wet food?

Canned foods are hermetically sealed, so they remain fit for feeding longer than dry food. Their shelf life is 2-3 years. Store them, avoiding direct sunlight, away from heaters, following the recommendations on the package.

Open wet food is stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. After opening, canned food is transferred to a glass jar or a special container. Freezing wet food is allowed.

How can you tell if food is not suitable for feeding?

The suitability of food for feeding a pet can be judged by organoleptic characteristics - appearance, texture, color and smell.

In dry feed, the presence of lumps, rot and mold is not allowed. Color and smell must correspond to this type of product. Food with signs of spoilage and a musty, unusual or rancid odor is not used in dog food.

In wet food, putrefactive inclusions and mold are excluded. In the presence of poor-quality impurities, an unpleasant or rancid odor, the product is not used in feeding.

Food contaminated with insects and their larvae is not suitable for consumption.

Poisoning with poor quality food

Poisoning is always a consequence of poison entering a living organism. Spoiled food accumulates toxic substances that can cause poisoning in pets. Signs for contacting a veterinary clinic are:

• depressed or overexcited state of the animal;
• weakness;
• diarrhea;
• vomit;
• convulsions;
• profuse salivation;
• shiver.

In dogs, the symptoms develop rapidly, the condition worsens quickly, so when the first signs appear, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Feed storage errors

Improper storage of feed leads to deterioration of its quality, diseases and poisoning of animals.

1. Storage of large-volume packages on the balcony or in the yard under a canopy. Convenient for the owner, but often changing weather conditions and humidity lead to premature spoilage of the feed.
2. Pouring dry food into the tank. The entire bag of food is placed in a special container, and not poured out of the package. So the food will retain freshness, aroma and nutritional properties longer.
3. Leaving the package or container open. Food spoils and its nutrients are destroyed when exposed to air.
4. Storing open canned food outside the refrigerator. Already 4 hours after opening the package of wet food, pathogenic microflora begins to actively develop.

Utensils for feeding dogs

Of the necessary accessories in the care of dogs, it is worth highlighting feeding bowls and storage containers. It is important that the material of manufacture of everything that comes into contact with feed is safe and suitable for food. Specialized bowls are more convenient for feeding dogs than adapted utensils.

Bowls are better to buy 3-4 pieces. Water is poured into one, dry or wet food into the second. The third will be needed for feeding with broth or milk.

Wash the dog's bowl immediately after feeding it with wet food, as bacteria develop in its remains. With a dry type of feeding, it is enough to keep it clean every day.

Dishes for feeding are chosen from durable materials, do not use when cracks and chips appear.

What is the best packaging size?

For feeding a pet, choose the size of the package based on the size of the dog. It is expected that the packaging will be consumed no longer than a month.

Canned food is bought in portions so that the pet eats the package at a time or during the day.

Storage conditions for feed of different brands

Most dry food is stored for more than a year, wet in a sealed package - more than 2 years. Terms vary depending on the composition and the preservative used by the manufacturer. Production date and expiration date are indicated on the packaging.

Acaha feed is stored under the above conditions, the shelf life is 15 months. Production date and expiration dates are indicated on the packaging. Pedigree keeps its properties for 18 months from the date of manufacture.

Dry food is a long-term storage product, but this does not mean at all that they do not lose their nutritional properties and good quality over a period of a little less than an eternity. Inattention to the expiration date indicated on the package and neglect of storage conditions can lead to unpleasant consequences, and lost money is sometimes the least of them. So, let's talk about everything in order: how, where and how much dry food for dogs and cats can be stored.

How long does dry food keep?

Ready-made industrial rations in their original packaging are stored for 1-1.5 years before opening. Such a rather long period is achieved through the use of a mixture of tocopherols - natural extracts of vitamin E, which is a strong antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of fats that are in any dry food. Of course, there are manufacturers who use synthetic chemicals, but still, most quality feeds are made to the gold standard - using vitamin E.

The shelf life of dry food can be indicated on the bottom of the packaging, on the side or top seam, and usually contains two numbers: the date of manufacture and the date after which the food cannot be used. However, this only applies to packaging that is hermetically sealed at the factory. How long does dry food keep after opening? Unfortunately, many owners of dogs and cats do not think about this, but they should - and here's why.

How long can open dry food be stored?

It often happens that owners, out of a desire to save money or just by chance, buy a 15-kilogram package of dry food for their only small dog. After about two months, or even earlier, they begin to notice an upset of the gastrointestinal tract in their pet, simply speaking, diarrhea, which can be accompanied by vomiting and increased gas formation.

What is the reason? They didn’t change the food for the dog, they didn’t treat him to anything else, he couldn’t eat anything on the street - just a mystery. But in fact, the casket opens simply - the food has deteriorated, which caused all these unpleasant symptoms. When in contact with air, fat oxidation is greatly accelerated, and after some time the added antioxidants can no longer cope with this process. Therefore, do not repeat the mistakes of these hypothetical owners, do not chase cheapness - buy fresh pet food about every month and a half.

It is during this time that dry food can be stored without the risk of losing its quality. True, there is a significant caveat: only if the conditions for its storage are observed.

How to store dry food?

The four main enemies of dry food are heat, air, moisture and light, ironically, almost everything that gives life to you and me. So that these elements, which stimulate fat oxidation and other chemical processes, do not spoil your food before the contents of the package are finished, you need reliable protection in the form of a dry, dark, cool and as "airless" place as possible.

Of course, you are unlikely to be able to arrange a vacuum in your kitchen, and even completely rid the food of contact with air, too, because you need to open the bag to pour the granules into a bowl, but some measures can be taken. For example, pour food into a hermetically sealed plastic or metal container, or even better, put the entire package in it. If its upper edges are tightly wrapped and covered with a container lid on top, then there will be very little air inside, which, in fact, is what we are trying to achieve.

A container and a tightly wrapped bag will protect you from both moisture and sunlight, but you will have to provide the necessary coolness yourself. To do this, you need to choose a place away from heat sources - it can be a corridor, an entrance hall, a closet, a glazed balcony, etc.

These are the ideal conditions for storing dry food, and if it seems to someone that their observance is too time-consuming, then let him remember that the health of the pet is at stake. It is better to spend these efforts than to give much more effort, time and money later so that veterinarians can help your little blood get rid of the consequences of eating poor-quality dry food.