Packaging Solutions for Pet Food

Tips on Storing Different Types of Dog/Cat Food

How often do you find yourself having to dispose of your pet’s food? One reason might be due to the packaging, which might cause unwanted exposure to moisture and oxygen. The effect of oxidation will lead to rancidity, resulting in loss of nutritional value and an unpleasant taste and odour! Rancid Fat is formed when fat contents have been exposed to oxygen. Bacteria growth will break down vitamins and antioxidants. Food products that contain rancid fats might become toxic, causing potential health problems! Types of pet food include wet food, dry food/kibbles, dehydrated food, and raw food. Read on to find out more about what we can do to extend the shelf life for our furry friends.

Canned/Wet Food

Unopened pet food can generally have a shelf life of about two to five years if stored in proper conditions. It is always advised to keep the food in its original packaging. A recommend storage temperature would be between 10°C to 37°C (room temperature). Do remember always to check the expiration or “use by” date! You can use one method to place the older cans at the front and the newer cans at the back. The checks will help to ensure that the older cans will be used first! If there are leftovers, you can always store them in a small, airtight storage container. Depending on the food content, refrigerating will also help to prolong the shelf life.

Raw Food

Raw food, upon defrosting or opening, should be consumed within one to two days. Frozen raw food that is appropriately stored can be kept for an estimated duration of six months. If you intend to purchase raw food in bulk, you can consider splitting it into smaller portions and store them separately in sealed containers. Keep the raw food in the freezer to prolong its shelf life and defrost when ready for consumption.

Kibbles/Dry Food

With proper packaging, most dry food can be stored for at least one month. Do remember to check the expiration date! Once the dry food is exposed to oxygen and moisture, this is where oxidation will begin. Oxidation over time will lead to loss of vitamins and minerals! Most of the original packaging is designed to keep dry food or kibble fresh. Do always ensure the packaging is tightly sealed before storage. A way to prevent oxidation would be to use Osorb Oxygen Absorbers. The Osorb Oxygen Absorbers will absorb oxygen and avoid the growth of bacteria, ensuring a longer shelf life. Osorb Oxygen Absorbers are food safe.

Freeze-Dried/Dehydrated Food

Freeze-dried foods mostly rely on natural antioxidants, resulting in shorter shelf lives in comparison to the others. Once the seal on the packaging of these foods is broken, it is recommended to be consumed within weeks. Freeze-dried foods should be stored in a cool and dry place to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould. The presence of moisture will significantly affect the shelf life of freeze-dried food. A way to reduce moisture in the packaging would be to include Humi Dri Silica Gel Sachets to absorb moisture. Humi Dri white Silica Gel and Silica Gels with plastic sachets are both food-safe, allowing you to safely place them within the packaging in direct contact with food.

Purchase is available on our online store. Watch this video on how to store your pet food with Oxygen Absorbers!