Safety and Sensibility of Pet Food Storage
Storing pet food safely makes good sense to you and your pet. If you understand some basic principles of pet food storage, your pet's health will be protected. Before purchasing expensive containers or setting up a complex storage system, take a look at these tips.
Tips for Wisely Storing Pet Food
These tips can be applied to whatever kind of pet food you store, whether it's kibble, grains or seeds. Since most owners try to save money by buying food in bulk, first decide how much your pet eats in one month. This will give you a good gauge to decide how big a bag of food you should buy. Remember, the longer you store opened pet food, the more likely it is to become contaminated by moisture, bacteria or crawling insects. Therefore, buying in bulk is still a good idea; however, you need to set a realistic limit on the size of the bag you purchase.
Since most pet food is labeled "fortified", it's important to note that it can deteriorate quickly once it's opened and depending on the levels of moisture and heat to which it is exposed. Airtight containers will minimize this, but care should be taken when scooping out the desired amount of food. Only use a clean, completely dry scooper and close the lid immediately afterwards. If possible, store pet food at 70 degrees or below, and in a place with low humidity. Ideally, pet food can be stored in its original bag, which is then placed inside a clean, plastic container. Keep the top part of the bag of food closed; a clothespin is a quick way to accomplish this. If you want some added protection against moisture, you can place a desiccant pack in the container, although it's not advisable to put it directly into the bag of food. Store pet food in a place where your own animals or any wild ones can't get at it. Animals have a keen sense of smell, and can detect food even through a plastic container. Check your storage area frequently to see that nothing has gotten into the food, and therefore possibly introduce bacteria to it. To keep track of how long the pet food has been stored make a note on the original package. This will help you determine how quickly, or slowly, the food is being eaten, and will guide you when making your next purchase.
Keeping your pet's food clean, dry and safe will make your furry friend happy and healthier.
