Cat Food Storage Mistakes

Fresh food is important for cats and humans alike. Out of necessity, we learned how to stock our food, especially those of us who always buy in bulk. It only makes sense to take similar measures when managing Fluffy’s food supply. How you store and handle cat food affects its freshness and also its nutritional value. Here are a few don’ts to remember to keep kitty well-fed and healthy.

Don’t Get Rid of the Original Packaging



While it may be convenient to transfer dry cat food into resealable, airtight, containers, that’s not the best way to keep kitty’s food fresh. Interestingly enough, high-quality cat food bags are designed to maintain freshness for as long as possible. So if you do opt to use resealable containers, make sure to keep the food in its original packaging when you place it in the container.

Something else too -the food’s expiration date, barcode, and batch code all appear on the original packaging. These are all important to have in the event of a cat food recall. 

Don’t Store Dry Cat Food on the Shelf

While dry cat food may seem like a non-perishable item, it will definitely get stale when left on the shelf for weeks at a time. Instead, you can keep Fluffy’s morsels fresh for a long time if you store them in the freezer. Dry cat food will stay fresh for as long as 26 weeks. This bodes well for those of you who like to buy in bulk. Just make sure to wrap it up tightly so moisture doesn’t get inside, and always make sure to unthaw it to room temperature before serving it up to Fluffy. 

Don’t Store Cat Food in High Humidity or High Temperature Environments

All kinds of food, including cat food, should never be left to sit in hot or humid areas. Heat and humidity are natural breeding grounds for bacteria, so be sure to store Fluffy’s food in a cool, dry place. 

Don’t Expose Kitty’s Food to Air

Leaving kitty’s food exposed to air will speed up the rate at which it spoils. Food materials start to break down when exposed to oxygen and light. Any vitamin, mineral or nutrient value will expire and any oil or fat-based ingredients will become rancid. These conditions leave the door wide open for bacteria to grow. 

Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any more questions about how to keep kitty’s food fresh! And have a happy holiday season!