How Can You Tell if Canned Dog Food Is Bad?
Although canned dog food rarely goes bad, it’s crucial to know some of the signs of rancid food- just to be on the safe side.
You can tell if canned dog food has gone bad if you notice mold on it or if it has an unpleasant, non-dog food odor. Furthermore, the presence of bugs or a watery, broken-down texture are also indicators of spoiled food. Finally, check the expiration date.
Let’s look at each of these indicators (and a few others) in more detail.
Perhaps the easiest way to tell if your dog’s canned food is bad is by checking for mold.
Even a sign of developing mold should be a red flag that the canned food isn’t safe for consumption. You should never feed a dog moldy food, even if you scrape off the molded part.
Although wet dog foods don’t have the best aroma, they still have decent enough scents that aren’t too pungent. But if you find your canned dog food smelling weird, especially after being opened, chances are it’s gone bad and should be thrown out.
As a good rule of thumb, you should avoid giving your dog wet food that’s infested by bugs, worms, or any type of creatures. This frequently happens when the canned food is improperly stored once opened, and the bugs could make your dog sick if consumed.
If your dog’s canned food has changed in texture and is watery, you should just throw it out as giving it to your pup is too much of a gamble. Furthermore, a change in texture will also make the taste displeasing for your dog. So, if you notice a change in its texture or your dog isn’t as eager to eat it, it’s probably time to throw it out.
Although dog food can still be safe when consumed after the best before date, it’s advisable to pick recently prepared canned dog food. Avoid buying expired canned dog food, as it won’t be as nutritious to your pup as fresh wet food. Plus, your dog will likely appreciate the taste of fresh canned food.
While canned dog food might still be good despite having a broken seal (if recently opened), you should avoid buying such products to keep your pup safe. Broken seals or dented cans allow air and moisture to get in, creating ideal environments for bacterial growth.
Don’t go around forcing your dog to consume canned food that you opened and refrigerated a while back (especially if the temperatures were inconsistent). If your dog refuses to eat the same food he ate when fresh, chances are it’s no longer safe for consumption.
Because this date doesn’t indicate when the food will go bad, it’s perfectly legal for stores to sell cans that are well past their prime. It’s not uncommon for owners to purchase a can that has a packaged date from years ago.
Unopened cans don’t need to be refrigerated. The air-tight can and included preservatives will keep air and bacteria out, making it safe at room temperature like any other canned food. While it may be easy to store it in an unconditioned garage or basement, owners need to make sure the environment doesn’t dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100.
After four hours are up, owners should discard of the leftover food and clean the dish. Wet canned food should be placed in a clean bowl with every feeding to ensure that leftover remnants don’t contaminate the new meal.
Never put the can directly into the freezer. Due to the formula’s high moisture content, doing so will lead to a nasty surprise when it freezes. Instead, use multiple zip-lock bags placed on a tray. It’s important to space out eat tray to ensure that the bags don’t stick together as they freeze.
Usually, canned food can last anywhere between two and five years as long as it’s stored properly. Food should be kept in a dry and cool place.
What is in Canned Dog Food?
Canned dog food is processed food that is made from various ingredients including meat, grains, and vegetables. The food is cooked and then sealed in a can to preserve it. It is usually a nutritionally complete food that is meant to be a meal for dogs. Canned dog food typically contains a high moisture content, typically in the range of 75%–85%. This is important, as dogs require a high level of moisture in their diets in order to stay healthy. The moisture content helps keep them hydrated and can help with digestion.
Additionally, canned dog food often contains added vitamins and minerals, as well as other nutrients that are beneficial to dogs.
Storing Dog Food Kibble and Wet Food
Palatable and nutritious, canned dog foods have gradually become favorites for both pets and their parents. And although wet dog food has tons of benefits, most pet parents often wonder how best to preserve the products before and after opening. For instance, do you need to refrigerate canned dog food?
You don’t need to refrigerate canned dog food that’s unopened as the cans are usually airtight, which helps keep contaminants out, making them safe when stored at room temperature. However, once opened, it is advisable to refrigerate all types of canned dog food, regardless of brand.
So the dog food lasts the longest, I recommend silicone covers like these, found on Amazon. We use them for all our canned foods and soft drinks and they work great.
In this article, I’ll explore how to refrigerate canned dog food safely. I’ll also elaborate on some information I learned from Julee Avery DVM, when discussing the best way to preserve canned dog food. Keep reading to learn more.