Exact Answer: For 12-18 months
Dogs are termed as man’s best friend. They are subjugated creatures. Dogs are omnivores. Vegetables and meats are often mixed and sold in shops as food items.
Summary
Dogs are generally very faithful, friendly, loyal, true-hearted, playful, and devoted mammals. The US expects to reach 23.3 billion dollars by 2022 in the dog food market. Stray dogs have to deal with the environment. They adjust to survive on meat, rice, and other vestiges of human existence.
Dog food is formulated and intended for consumption by dogs. Dogs are both animal and plant-eating animals with a carnivores bias. Dry food will remain suitable for 12-18 months, and canned food will spoil after a year.
How Long Would Dog Food Last?
| Type of food | Expiration |
| Dry | 12-18 months |
| Canned | 24 months |
Pet food producers establish expiration or “best before” dates to ensure the safety of the dog. Generally, unopened canned foods have expiry dates after 24 months from the date of packaging, whereas it is 12-18 months for unopened dry pet foods. The date of expiration is printed or stamped on the bottom of food cans or food bags.
It is essential to memorize that the stamped deadline shows how long the food will remain crisp before tearing or opening the seal. Opening the packet will result in contact of air and moisture with the food material, and they may react with the food. When we open the package, the food gradually degrades.
Buying dog food in smaller quantities will be a wise man’s choice. Experts advise to use up opened food in a week or two. It is better to use a small bag wisely rather than opening a larger one.
Animals, especially dogs, have a potent smelling capacity. If the dog takes a little food or sniffs the bowl, there is something wrong with the food. Some dogs eat garbage.
One should stop the dogs from eating garbage if moisture, bugs, and molds are seen, food has been kept in humidity or heat, there is an unpleasant odor. Airtight containers and proper storage of treats will lead to legibility.
Commercially processed treats have a longer lifespan than homemade peanut butter dog biscuits. The life of dog food depends on the ingredients used and the kinds of preservatives added.
Why Would Dog Food Last So Long?
Preservatives aren’t the only items that begin to deteriorate after the packaging date. Micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins will start to shrink, and the food will lose its nutritional worth and no longer be nutritionally stabilized and complete.
The reasons why food spoils early are if the temperature is excessively high where the food is stored. Suppose the reserved area has numerous moisture. There is more possibility of food to be moldy where the air allows harmful bacterias to multiply.
The opened bags of dry dog food are stored in the bag in which it came. It is Sealed with a chip clip and can be stored in an airtight container. The opening can be rolled down so as not to leave the excess air inside the pack.
In the freezer, the dry dog food can also be stored. It is not advised to put the kibble directly into the storage container. It is because one cannot limit the air inside that container. Wet food should be used between 2-3 days, once opened.
It is required to be used up in less time because fewer preservatives are added, and nutrients will degrade more rapidly. General gastrointestinal symptoms such as upset stomach or vomiting, or diarrhea can be seen if the dog has consumed something rotten. If this is left untreated, this can result in increasing pathogens in the dog’s body.
Bacterial pathogens can also cause life-threatening illnesses. Hence, regular health checkup twice a year is essential.
Conclusion
Preservatives aren’t the only items that begin to deteriorate after the packaging date. Moisture and temperature are some factors that lead to the rotting of food. Food must be used as soon as possible hence, buying small packets is a wise choice.
One can store dry food in the freezer. Stop the dogs from eating garbage if moisture, bugs, and molds are seen, and food has been kept in humidity or heat; there is an unpleasant odor.
Opening the packet will result in contact of air and moisture with the food material, and they may react with the food. When we open the package, the food gradually degrades.
References
- https://www.usenix.org/system/files/login/articles/login_winter16_14_josephsen.pdf
- https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/lyclr29§ion=9
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