Surprise! Dog Food Expiration Dates Are Shorter Than Yo

After consulting numerous reliable pet care websites and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, we have compiled the following important considerations.

It is crucial to store dog food in a cool, dry place.

Before opening the bag, the shelf life of the dog food should be determined by the date on the packaging. However, once the bag is opened, the shelf life becomes a bit more nuanced.

In her article "When To Throw Your Dog’s Kibble Away," Dana Scott, the editor of Dogs Naturally magazine, highlights: "Pet food manufacturers have invested a significant amount of money into packaging research, allowing dog food to remain on shelves for months, even years, while retaining most of its nutritional value."

But once you open the bag, the packaging's job is done. The moment you break the seal, the dog food begins to change rapidly. If not handled properly, these changes can be toxic to your furry friend.

Because, as soon as the bag is opened, air enters, and the oxidation process starts. Each time you open the bag, the oxidation level increases, and the fats in the dog food begin to spoil.

Hazards:

Spoilage of fats can lead to numerous health issues, including malnutrition, hair loss, diarrhea, kidney disease, heart problems, reproductive issues, and even cancer and death.

Therefore, preventing oxidation of dog food is of utmost importance.

Many pet food manufacturers, in addition to investing in packaging design, also add natural or synthetic antioxidants (such as vitamin E) to the dog food to slow down the oxidation process.

The type of fat determines the rate of oxidation. There are many types of fats, and the more carbon bonds they contain, the faster they oxidize. For example, beef fat, which is a saturated fat without carbon bonds, is less unstable than other fats.

Chicken fat contains unsaturated fatty acids, making chicken or poultrybased dog food more susceptible to oxidation than beefbased dog food. The fats with the most carbon bonds are EHA and DPA (found in fish oil), which oxidize quickly.

What should owners do?

1. Determine the shelf life based on the fat source. The longevity of the dog food after opening depends on the fat source.

According to Dana Scott's recommendations, beefbased dog food should be consumed within three weeks, while chicken or poultrybased dog food should be eaten within two weeks.

2. Avoid purchasing dog food that contains fish oil or omega3 fats, as these are highly prone to spoilage.

3. Don't buy large bags of dog food. While it may be cheaper per unit, your dog needs to consume the food within two to three weeks to prevent oxidation.

If you do purchase a large bag and can't finish it in a short period, it's best to portion it into smaller bags, vacuumseal them, and store them away from light. Vacuumsealing and storing dog food this way is a highly recommended method.

4. Don't remove the dog food from the packaging. Many packaging designs are intended to prevent oxygen from entering. If you must store the food in a plastic container, place the dog food inside the packaging bag. Also, try to remove as much air as possible from the bag and seal it with a clip.

5. Avoid buying damaged or nearly expired bags.

6. Don't force your dog to eat. If your dog refuses to eat, it's likely that they're telling you something important! It might be that the food is starting to sour and emit an unpleasant odor, which only your dog can detect. So, even if the dog food looks fine, don't force your dog to eat it.