How to Store Dry Dog Food: 8 Tips to Keep It Fresh
The best way to store dry dog food is in its original bag, rolled or clipped tightly shut, in a cool, dry place below 80°F. If you want a container, put the whole bag inside a clean bin with a lid instead of pouring the kibble in loose. Try to use an opened bag within about 4 to 6 weeks.
If you're like most owners who feed Bully Max, you already know how important it is to give your dog high-quality food. But many owners don't know how to store dog food so it stays fresh. Just like any other food, dog food gets stale and can even go bad over time. Because we aren't the ones eating it, it can be hard to notice when it's no longer fresh, but your dog knows. Picky eating is often the first sign.
To help make sure you never feed stale or rancid food, here are our best storage practices to keep your dog food fresh.
How to store dry dog food: quick checklist
- Keep kibble in its original bag, with the top rolled or clipped tightly shut.
- If you use a bin, put the whole bag inside it rather than pouring kibble in loose.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry, below 80°F and out of sunlight.
- Use an opened bag within about 4 to 6 weeks, and before the best-by date.
- Use a clean scoop, not your dog's bowl, and wash bowls and scoops regularly.
- Never feed food that smells off, looks discolored, is damp or shows mold or bugs.
Tip #1: Store the Food in Its Original Bag
Dog food bags, including Bully Max bags, are thick, multi-layer bags designed to keep out air, light and moisture, and Bully Max bags have a resealable top.
That's why you should keep the food in its original bag. The FDA recommends storing dry pet food in its original bag with the top tightly folded down.
There are three good reasons:
- Freshness. The bag's lining is a barrier that slows the fats in the food from going stale or rancid.
- Information. You keep the best-by date, feeding guide and ingredient list.
- Lot number. If a manufacturer ever issues a recall for specific lot numbers, you'll know whether your food is included.
Every time you close the bag, press out the air and roll it tightly shut. If the bag does not have a resealable top, use a clamp or bag clip.
Before we go further, a quick note on fuel: if your dog needs more strength and energy from the bowl, a meat-based, high-protein food is the simplest place to start.
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Tip #2: Don't Pour Kibble Loose Into Other Containers
Pouring kibble straight into a bin, drawer or can exposes it to more air and moisture. The fat from the kibble also coats the inside of the container, and that leftover residue turns rancid and can taint the next batch you pour in. Many plastic bins aren't truly airtight, either.
If you like the look or convenience of a storage bin, or you need it to keep pets and pests out, place the whole bag inside the bin and close the lid. You get the protection of the bag plus the bin.
Tip #3: Store the Food in a Cool, Dry, Dark Place
Heat, humidity and light are what make dog food go bad faster. Moisture lets mold and bacteria grow, heat speeds up fat going rancid, and light breaks down some vitamins.
That's why it's important to store your food in a cool, dry place and avoid spots where it could get wet (like under a sink) or hot (like a garage, shed or car in summer). The FDA recommends keeping dry pet food below 80°F.
A kitchen pantry or closet indoors usually makes a great storage spot. Keep the bag off a damp floor.
Tip #4: Use an Opened Bag Within About 4 to 6 Weeks
Just like human food, dog food has a best-by date. Always check it when you buy, and don't feed food past that date.
Once you open the bag, oxygen starts to work on the fats and vitamins, so the clock speeds up. A common guideline is to use an opened bag of dry food within about 4 to 6 weeks. Foods preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), as most premium foods are, are especially worth using up promptly.
Buy a bag size your dog can finish in that window. Our dog food calculator shows how long a bag will last for your dog.
If your dog has trouble finishing a big bag within that window, a smaller bag makes it easier to keep every bowl fresh.
TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 IN A 5 LB BAG
Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
Tip #5: Wash Bowls, Scoops and Containers
Use a clean scoop or measuring cup, not your dog's bowl, to scoop food. Wash food bowls and scoops with soap and hot water regularly, and wash your hands before and after handling pet food.
If you keep the bag inside a bin, wash and fully dry the bin whenever you replace the bag. Fat residue that builds up in a container can turn rancid and attract bacteria and pests.
Tip #6: Do Not Give Your Dog Food That Is Discolored or Smelly
You wouldn't drink milk that smells funky, would you? Of course not.
And you shouldn't feed bad-smelling or discolored food to your dog, either. Signs dry food has gone bad include:
- A sour, paint-like or "off" smell (rancid fat)
- Visible mold, clumping or dampness
- Bugs or droppings in the bag
- Your dog suddenly refusing food they normally love
It's a good habit to give the food a quick sniff when you open a new bag. Once you know what it's supposed to smell like, you'll notice if that changes. If the food seems off, don't feed it. Seal it in a bag and throw it out in a covered trash can.
Tip #7: Never Mix Old and New Food
Let's say you're down to your last few bowls of old dog food, so you buy a new bag. Is it OK to pour the old food into the new bag?
No. The older food has had more time to go stale and pick up moisture or bacteria, and mixing it in can taint the fresh food.
It's best to use up the old food first before you open the new bag. That way the new food stays sealed as long as possible.
Tip #8: Store Wet Food and Toppers Correctly
Unopened canned food should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened or prepared, wet food should be covered and refrigerated and used within a few days; follow the label. Discard any wet food left in your dog's bowl after a couple of hours. For instant or freeze-dried products, follow the storage directions on the package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is dry dog food good for after opening?
A common guideline is about 4 to 6 weeks after opening, if the bag is kept sealed in a cool, dry place. Never feed it past the best-by date.
Is it better to store dog food in a plastic container or the bag?
The original bag is best. If you want a container, put the whole bag inside it rather than pouring the kibble in loose.
Can I store dog food in the garage?
Only if it stays cool and dry. Most garages get too hot in summer and can be damp, so an indoor pantry or closet is a better choice.
Should I freeze dry dog food?
You can freeze sealed portions of dry food to keep them fresh longer, but most owners simply buy a bag size their dog finishes within a few weeks.
Feed Your Dog 5-Star Food
Now that you know how to store your dog food, the next question might be: what is the best food to feed your dog?
Buying the bag size your dog finishes in time keeps this simple. For dogs that need a chicken-free recipe, Bully Max also makes a 30/20 beef formula.
TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN BEEF DOG FOOD
Chicken-free, meat-based nutrition with 30% protein, 20% fat, and 530 calories per cup for strength and energy.
We recommend our 30/20 High Protein Dog Food: high-performance, meat-based nutrition with 535 calories per cup and a 5/5 rating from Dog Food Advisor. Every batch is triple tested for safety. Set it on autoship to save 10% and get a fresh bag delivered on your schedule. For more feeding help, see how much to feed your dog and our dog feeding schedule guide.
2 comments
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