For all the same reasons, fresh food is just as important for cats as it is for humans. Out of necessity, humans learned how to store food so it stays as fresh as possible. It only makes sense to take similar measures with Fluffy’s food supply. And how you store and handle cat food affects its freshness as well as its nutritional value. Here are a few cat food storage don’ts to keep in mind so you can keep kitty healthy and well-fed.
Don’t Store Dry Cat Food on the Shelf
Dry cat food may seem non-perishable, but it will go bad if it’s left on the shelf for weeks on end. Instead, keep Fluffy’s morsels fresh for a long time by storing them in the freezer. Dry cat food will stay fresh for up to 26 weeks in the freezer, which bodes well for those of us who like to buy in bulk. Just don’t forget to wrap it tightly so moisture doesn’t get inside, and make sure to thaw it out before feeding it to your cat.
Don’t Get Rid of the Original Packaging
While dry cat food may easily fit in resealable containers, that’s not actually the best way to keep your kitty’s food fresh. Interestingly, the bags your cat’s food comes in are designed to maintain freshness for as long as possible. If you do decide to use resealable containers, just be sure to keep the food in the bag before placing it in the container.
Something else to keep in mind -the original packaging lists the food’s expiration date, barcode, and batch code on it. This information is important to have in the event of a cat food recall.
Don’t Store Cat Food in High Temperature or High Humidity Environments
All kinds of food, including cat food, should never be left to sit in hot temperatures or really humid environments. Heat and humidity quickly breed bacteria spores, so always store Fluffy’s food in a dry, cool place.
Don’t Expose Kitty’s Food to Air
Kitty’s food will spoil even faster if you leave it exposed to the air. Any time oxygen and light make contact, food materials start to break down. Its vitamin and mineral value will be depleted and any fat or oil-based ingredients will become rancid. This, in turn, creates prime conditions for bacteria to grow.
If you have any more questions about how to keep kitty’s food fresh, don’t hesitate to call us! And have a happy holiday season!
