We all know that having fresh food to eat is important to our health. It’s also important to your cat’s health. Out of necessity, humans learned to store our food and keep it fresh. It only makes sense to take similar measures when managing Fluffy’s food supply. And how you handle and store Fluffy’s food affects not only its freshness but also its nutritional value. Here are a few don’ts to keep in mind when storing your kitty’s food.
Don’t Store Dry Cat Food on the Shelf
Dry cat food may seem like a non-perishable item, but it will go bad if it’s left on the shelf for weeks on end. Instead, try keeping Fluffy’s morsels in the freezer. This will preserve them for a long time. In fact, dry cat food will stay fresh for up to 26 weeks, which works out perfectly for those of us who like to buy in bulk. Just be sure to wrap it up tight so moisture doesn’t get inside, and make sure to thaw it out before feeding it to your cat.
Don’t Get Rid of the Original Packaging
While you can transfer dry cat food into resealable containers, that’s not actually the best way to keep your kitty’s food fresh. Actually, the bags that cat food comes in are designed to maintain freshness for as long as possible. So if you decide to use resealable containers, make sure to leave the food in the bag before placing it in the container.
And too -the original packaging lists the food’s barcode, expiration date, and batch code, which is important to have in the event of a cat food recall.
Don’t Store Cat Food in High Temperature or High Humidity Environments
Any kind of food, cat food included, should never be left to sit in humid environments or hot temperatures. Heat and humidity are breeding grounds for bacteria, so be sure to store Fluffy’s food in a cool, dry area.
Don’t Expose Kitty’s Food to Air
Leaving Fluffy’s food exposed to the air will make it go bad quicker. Oxygen and light naturally break down food materials. This means any vitamin or mineral value will be depleted. Also, any fat or oil-based ingredients will become rancid. These conditions only make it easier for bacteria to grow.
If you have more questions about how to keep kitty’s food fresh, don’t hesitate to call us! And have a happy holiday season!
