Storing and Serving Your Dog’s Food: 7 Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Choosing, buying, storing and feeding your dog their regular food is a core part of responsible dog ownership. While owners often spend considerable time selecting the right food and sourcing reliable suppliers, how the food is stored and served at home sometimes receives less attention. However, improper storage and serving can lead to contamination, stale food, or nutrient loss before your dog even eats their meal.

This comprehensive guide highlights seven common pitfalls that dog owners frequently encounter when managing their dog’s food. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure your dog’s food stays fresh, nutritious, and safe, supporting their overall health and wellbeing.

1. Keep the Original Packaging for Reference

Many owners pour dry food from the bag into a storage container for convenience and freshness, then discard the original packaging. However, retaining the original bag is important. It contains essential information such as the expiration date, batch number, food type, and feeding guidelines. Keeping this allows you to double-check instructions, confirm product details, or provide useful info to your vet if needed.

2. Always Seal Bags Properly

If you feed directly from the bag, ensure it is resealed tightly after each use. Many premium dog foods come with resealable features such as foil liners or zip locks to help maintain freshness. Leaving bags open exposes the food to air, moisture and pests, which can cause it to go stale or harbour bacteria such as Salmonella. Use clips or bag sealers to keep air out between feedings.

3. Avoid Buying Oversized Bags Unless Divided

While purchasing large bags can reduce the cost per meal, buying quantities too large for your dog to consume quickly may do more harm than good. Frequent opening and exposure to air can degrade the food’s quality over time. If you do buy large bags, divide the food into smaller airtight containers and only open one at a time to prolong freshness.

4. Store Food in Suitable Conditions

Your dog’s food should be stored like any quality dry goods: in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, strong odours, and extremes of temperature or humidity. Avoid storing food near cleaning chemicals or under sinks where moisture is likely. Such environments risk contaminating or spoiling the food, compromising its nutritional value.

5. Never Mix Old Food with Fresh

Tipping leftover food from an old bag into a new bag might seem convenient but should be avoided. Old food nearing staleness or contamination can introduce bacteria into fresh food, accelerating spoilage. Always finish one container or bag before opening or refilling another to maintain food safety.

6. Transfer Wet Food to Suitable Containers

If your dog doesn’t finish a whole tin of wet food, do not store the leftovers in the open or in the original tin in the refrigerator. Instead, transfer the remainder to a clean, non-metallic, sealed container to avoid metallic taste and contamination. Before feeding again, bring the food back to room temperature for better palatability and digestion.

7. Maintain Hygiene When Serving Food

Just as you wash your hands and use clean plates for your meals, apply similar care when feeding your dog. Wash food bowls thoroughly after every meal to prevent bacterial buildup. Wash your hands before and after feeding to avoid transferring dirt and germs to your dog’s food dish. Good hygiene protects your pet’s digestive health and prevents illness.

By attentively managing your dog’s food storage and serving habits, you create a safe, fresh feeding environment that supports their health and happiness. Remember, small changes like keeping the original packaging or storing food properly can make a big difference in your pet’s wellbeing.

For those looking to find puppies or seeking advice on reputable breeders, always prioritise ethical sourcing and responsible ownership to ensure a happy life for you and your new companion.