10/03/2023
Tuesday Tip of the Day:
Did you know that how your pet's dry kibble is stored, has a direct effect on their health? Below are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
1. Use the bag’s protection:
Ideally, dry food should be stored in its original bag. Many manufacturers put a lot of research into packaging and test the shelf life of the food in the original packaging. Not only can the bags help to minimize pests and other contamination, but they can also help protect the nutrients in the food from breaking down. In addition, all the critical information you need about the food is located on the label (UPC code, lot number, brand of dog food, “best by” date) These are critical pieces of information in the event of a product defect or recall. This may save you some concern and you will know immediately if you should discard the pet food or return it if it is part of a recall.
Tip: Lose the air! After feeding, squeeze out as much as much air as possible from the bag and close it securely using the bag’s seal, a bag clip, or tape. Exposure of dry pet food to air causes nutrients to break down faster and can expose the food to bacteria in the environment.
2. If you are going to use a plastic storage tote, do NOT pour your pet's food into the plastic container for reasons listed above and because plastic containers may impart an odor and taste to dry foods that can adversely affect palatability. This often will be the reason pets no longer seem interested in their pet food and can cause them to have GI upset. ****And sadly, the natural oils placed in your pet's food can break down and in turn, cause the BHA or BPA in plastic to break down which can lead to certain types of cancer. Studies have shown that exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. in human studies. It can also affect behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Storage in clean glass containers is acceptable. If you choose to use a plastic container to store your pet's food, always make sure that you keep the food in it's original bag for reasons stated above. Or make sure the plastic container has a label on when you purchase it that says BHA-free or BPA-free and safe for pet food. Most do not have this label unfortunately.
3. Do NOT store your pet's food in the garage, which can be common for a lot of households. However, excess heat or moisture—common problems in some garages during the summer—can degrade essential oils and break down nutrients in dog food, explains Dr. Julie A. Churchill, Ph.D., a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul, Minnesota. Your dog’s food could also be at greater risk of being exposed to pests like insects and rodents.
What to do instead: Store your dog food where you’d want to store your own food. Like other pantry items, dry and canned dog food should be stored in a cool, dry place like a dog food storage cabinet. Always keep it in a controlled environment under 80 degrees Fahrenheit, per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
4. Please do NOT just fold over or roll up a large bag of dog food, and leave sitting in your pantry, closet, garage, etc. Why? Leaving food unsealed is a big mistake, as oxygen causes the fat in the food to go rancid, which ruins the flavor and, in the worst-case scenario, could even make dogs sick, says Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, an experienced companion animal veterinarian based in Alderney, U.K.
5. Do NOT top off your pet food if you are keeping it in a BHA-free pet food container. If you already store your dog food in an airtight container, a common mistake is to fill it back up before it’s totally emptied out. The problem with this is that leftover fat and crumbs from dog food can build up inside the container over time and, again, start to go bad.
What to do instead: Use up all of the food in an airtight container before you refill it. “When the bin is empty, that’s a good reminder that it’s time to wash it out and then add fresh food,” says Churchill.
6. Most importantly and probably the biggest mistake pet owners will make, is to purchase too large of bag size for their pets. It is common for pet owners to purchase larger bags to save a few extra dollars. However, this savings can cost your pet's health in the long run. For example, if you have a small dog say under 20 lbs or 1 or 2 cats in the household, buying a 15 lb or 30 lb bag of food is not a good idea. Once that bag is opened, it may take you 2-3 months to use it all. Regardless of how well you have it sealed, kept in a container, etc, the moment a pet food bag is opened and exposed to air, the oils in the food and some of the vitamins and minerals, start to oxidize and break down. This means your pet risks not getting key nutrients and/or can be eating oils that have started to go rancid. This can affect their GI tract, create unsafe bacteria in their gut and can lead to illness over the long term. Once the bags of food are open, they should ideally be used up in no more than 4-6 weeks.
If you have read all of these tips, you are off to a great start in improving your pet's health! Please comment below in at least 4 words, if you have a dog or cat and one thing new you learned from these tips for storing pet food. One lucky winner will receive a FREE pet food and treat analysis with me via Zoom or by phone where we will go over the ingredients on the labels to ensure your pet is eating food and treats that are safe for them and make sure you understand what is considered harmful ingredients.
"LIKE" and "SHARE" this post with friends and family who also can learn from these tips, and you receive 2 entries to win!
Winner will be announced this Friday October 6th, 2023.