Tips on storing dry dog food

Do you know that as soon as you open a bag of dry dog food, the degradation and contamination begins? Oxygen, moisture in the air, light and grain mites can all contribute to this process.

Below are some tips to further prevent the deterioration of the dry food.

• Get the volume of dog food that can be eaten in less than 40 days (our two Chihuahuas eat so little that the packet of dog food can definitely last more than 40 days). It may be cheaper to get a bigger bag of kibble for the smaller dogs but once opened, the kibble will start to degrade. The antioxidants which are used to prevent this may not last the full timeline of an opened bag.
  If the formula contains grains, there is a risk of molds forming on the grains or mycotoxins, which dogs are extremely sensitive to. On hindsight, that could explain why one of our Chihuahuas was constantly scratching (his skin allergies has subsided now that he is eating 100% home cooked food).
• Store the kibble in its original packing and do not transfer it to plastic containers. Some of the fats in the kibble may react with the plastic and may cause toxic by-products. Oxidation of fats may cause other chronic health problems. Well, we did not know better previously and have been storing our dog’s kibble in a Toyogo container for the longest time! Thank goodness they did not suffer any adverse ill effects resulting from our ignorance.
• If the food ever smells bad or looks bad, toss it. We would not want to risk our dog’s health.

If you are currently feeding your dog a processed diet, it would be beneficial for their health if you can add some fresh meat (either raw or cooked) and some steamed chopped veggies occasionally to their meals. Try home cooking for your dog at least once a week. Or you can order fresh home cooked meals from Paws Fur Life. Our home cooked meals are made from 100% human grade ingredients, with no added preservatives, salt or sugar. What’s more delicious and wholesome than a home cooked meal? Everyone loves a homemade meal, including your dog. What better way to care for your dog than to provide them with a meal that is as delicious as it is nutritious? Dogs are part of our family and depend on us entirely to make the healthiest choices we can for them

Paws Fur Life, Canine Massage & Nutrition. A healthy dog is a happy dog!