Dog Food Storage Safety

Since dog food is purchased in large quantities, often ranging from 10 to 40 pound bags, it is important to store the food with safety in mind. Keeping the food fresh, away from harmful hazards and out of reach of children are important for the dog and children in the home. Keeping the dog food safe will reduce the chances for spoiled or contaminated food.

  1. Keeping Dog Food Fresh

    • Store dry dog food in an airtight, resealable container. Large tubs with screw-on or rubber-sealed flip top lids are available at most pet retail stores. Small garbage cans (dedicated solely to safe dog food storage) with a rubber seal at the top will also work well. Purchase quantifies of dog food that you can easily use in one or two weeks. Larger quantities of dog food may expire before they are able to be used.

    Keeping Dog Food Away from Hazards

    • Store dry dog food in a closet or cupboard away from household cleaning supplies. Since dog food often shares space with other items, choose a coat closet, food pantry or kitchen cupboard. Avoid storing dog food near bottle of bleach, toilet bowl cleaner or surface cleaners. If these containers leak, the clear liquids may go unnoticed and soak into the dog food making it unsafe for consumption.

    Child-Proofing Dog Food

    • Keep dog food away from areas where children can easily reach or access the food. Safe storage of dry dog food should be behind locked closet doors, in upper level cabinets or behind childproofed cupboard doors.

    When the Dog Food Isn't Safe

    • Examine the dry dog food before serving it to your pet. If it has clumps, appears moist, moldy or has a foul odor, throw it away and do not feed it to the dog. Check moist canned dog food for consistent texture and color. Don't use the dog food if it appears moldy, infested with larvae or bugs or if the container appears damaged.

    Safe Storage of Moist Foods

    • Canned and preserved tube foods can be stored in a similar fashion as dry food. However, if raw, fresh meat diets are being served, be sure the food is refrigerated or frozen. Pay attention to how the food was stored at the pet food store or grocery aisle, and do the same. Look at expiration dates; only use the food if it is within range of the use by date.