Spoiled Fat
Fat is often vilified as an unnecessary additive to foods because it can cause weight gain, but it is an essential part of your dog’s diet. It provides them with energy, essential oils for a healthy coat and brain function, and adds extra flavor to their food.
Unfortunately, it is one of the first ingredients to turn rancid and spoil. When it does sour, it produces an unmistakable, intense, rotting smell. Well, for us, at least. Fido, on the other hand, won’t notice and will happily chow down on soured food.
If the food is bad and the fat has turned, it can lead to digestion issues.
Dog food that is past its prime is typically safe to eat, especially if it’s been in an airtight container. However, it’s not recommended.
Dog food is a unique product that goes through a distinct manufacturing process. These foods are treated for longevity and effectiveness. A number of different ingredients are packed into a nutrient-dense formula to ensure that dogs can thrive on the food throughout their lives.
If it’s free of these issues, let your dog gobble it up. With that being said, feeding your dog expired food does have some trade-offs. Furthermore, the older the food, the more potential health risks.
This is only accelerated if the food is kept in a hot and moist place. Bacteria will multiply and mold spores will begin to form. Mold can be detrimental to a dog’s health. Not only that but mold can release into the air and cause harm to anyone living in the home. This includes both humans and dogs.
Food that’s been contaminated with mold and bacteria can also lead to serious foodborne illnesses. These include Salmonella, E. Coli, Botulism, and much more. Once ingested, the bacteria in the food will spread through the blood stream, resulting in significant issues. If left untreated, dogs can face life-altering problems and even death.
Contamination
Most foods are packaged in airtight containers with preservatives pumped in to remove the air and bacteria that can spoil food. But even these professionally sealed packets can degrade over time, allowing air, bacteria, and even insects into them.
Some cartons and packets can also become permeable. Meaning moisture makes its way in, which allows mold to form and bacterial toxins to produce. This, in turn, attracts pests where they can then lay eggs in the food, which can lead to serious internal problems for dogs when ingested.
This is the main reason that packaged food needs to be thoroughly checked before it is fed to dogs. It is even possible for in-date food to have mold present if it hasn’t been stored correctly.
YOUR DOGS MAY DIE IF THEY EAT THIS! || DOG FOOD || ANIMAL LOVERS
If you’ve been pondering the question ‘does dog food expire?’ then we’re happy to report that you’ve come to the right place! Whether it’s dry kibble or canned food, even the best dog food can expire and go bad after being opened.
Since dogs need a nutritious diet each day, spoiled dog food will deprive your pooch of the essential vitamins and minerals required to stay healthy and happy. What’s more, bad food can lead to gastrointestinal or other bacterial issues that will affect your pup’s overall well-being.
While it may not always be obvious when dog food has gone off, it is important to always check the expiration dates and labels when purchasing. This will give you a clear indication of how long your food can be kept for and ways in which you can store it safely.
Typically, unopened wet dog food tends to stay fresher for longer periods, compared to unopened dry dog food. Kibble has a shelf life of about 12-18 months, while the canned variety can last for up to two years from the date of purchase. This is because the canning process itself acts as a preservative and ensures food doesn’t spoil quickly. However, once it’s gone beyond its expiry date, it will start to degrade.
So how do you know when dog food is safe to eat? And how do you prevent it from going bad quickly? Read our helpful guide on everything you need to know about keeping your dog food fresh and delicious for your pup to enjoy.
Just like all perishables, there are stark differences between the best by and expiration dates. Expiration dates are given by the manufacturer to tell you when the food is likely to decay and considered unsafe to eat. In this case, you would have to discard once this date has passed. On the other hand, a best by date means the food can be consumed, however, it will lose all of its quality, freshness and nutritional value.