I went to the store and picked up that huge bag of dog food for my pup. That’s great in theory, but when I get home, I’ve got to figure out how to keep it fresh! It’s important to give your furry friend the freshest food possible, and storage containers are an easy solution. It’s not like you would want to eat stale food, so of course they don’t either!
Buying Tips
It’s especially important to buy a storage container if you’re buying a big bag. Even if you do leave it in the bag without a container, the food is still exposed to air and moisture. That can cause the food to spoil quickly. Airtight containers can be used for canned foods too. Plastic wrap and foil are good options, but containers prevent odors from being absorbed that can change the taste of the food. You don’t want your dog turning their nose up at it and your money going to waste!
Best Dog Food Storage Containers: My Picks
The best dog food storage containers will keep your dog’s food safe without you needing to worry. With one of these top picks, your dog will surely continue to eat healthy.
simplehuman Medium Pet Food Storage Can
This sleek container keeps food fresh with an airtight seal. The lid is magnetic with a lock-tight handle that clamps shut. It holds lots of food too, with built in wheels for moving.
Why It’s So Popular:
– The lid seals well to keep food fresh
– The magnetic snap prevents your dog from getting into it
– Looks nice and moves easily
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– It is a bit expensive
– The metal is soft and can dent easily
– 30 pound bags may not fit easily
Vittles Vault Stackable Home Collection Containers for Pet Food
Vittles makes a cute little vault-like storage container that keeps food absolutely air tight. The plastic is completely BPA free, so your food is completely safe and fresh at the same time.
Why It’s So Popular:
– It really does hold as much as 65 pounds of food
– Keeps food fresh without a poor smell
– Your dogs won’t be able to get into them
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– They do not stack well
– Aren’t as sturdy as others
– The shape at the bottom makes it tough to get remaining food
H20 Animal Hydration Storage Dispenser
The H20 dispenser keeps food organized and mess free. You can attach it to the wall for easy indoor and outdoor use, but it still holds up to 30 pounds! With this, portion control is especially easy.
Why It’s So Popular:
– You can remove it from the wall just by lifting it up
– Easy to secure to the wall
– Extremely easy to use; kids can feed your pets now!
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– Most people wish for a bigger version
– It’d be better if you could see how much food remained in the container
– The opening sometimes gets stuck
Vittles Vault Airtight Container
Vittles has another vault storage container that keeps food fresh with a heavy duty design. You can store as much as 50 pounds of food with easy access and an airtight seal.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Neat and tidy; great for storing lots of food
– It’s easy enough to clean
– Wide mouth allows your whole hand to fit in easily
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– The container is taller than what is expected
– The inside is a bit convoluted at the top
This pet tower is definitely pretty cool, and it can hold up to 8 pounds of food too. The side hooks keep other dog accessories close with a foot pedal that even provides easy access to the bottom bin.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Easy to put together, good size, and drawers move smoothly
– Great for storing two types of foods
– Very clean-looking and compact
Check price and more details here
Keep In Mind:
– The actual hooks on the side don’t really hold much
– The bottom drawer isn’t easy to open when it’s full
– People wish for a sturdier material than plastic
How to Keep Your Dog’s Food Fresh
There are lots of things that make a difference in how long your dog food remains fresh, like air exposure, light, temperature, and humidity. For the most part, you can keep foods within their original packaging since that packaging is designed to keep food fresh. You just need a clip to close it. Plastic, glass, or metal bins are perfect too if you want to protect it from the elements or vermin, but it’s great to still keep the food in its original bag, even when it’s put in the bin. Any bins should then be put in a cool and dry location off the floor. If you’re more partial to wet food, you won’t be using those bins, but store the food in the fridge and use it within seven days once opened.
Safety Tips
There are a couple of safety tips to consider not only when it comes to storing your food, but also when it comes to buying it. If you want your dog to have the highest quality food, some factors make a difference.
Unopened Food
Take a look at the Best By date before you buy. If it’s past, that means that the quality of ingredients has decreased and the dog food is less nutritious. If you can’t find the date, know in general that food lasts anywhere from 4 months to 3 years. Canned food can last from 2 to 5 years unopened in the right environment too.
Shelf Life
You want to pay attention any nicks or dents in the packaging that can cause leakage. Any open bags could be exposed to various toxins and can end up with mold. If there’s ever an open bag, never feed it to your dog.
Manufacturing Date
Despite the fact that the expiration date hasn’t passed, don’t automatically assume that your food is good. Once you know your food’s shelf life, you can subtract that from the expiration date. That’ll tell you how long ago that food was made when you feed it to your dog.
Discount Food
There are some times when we go to the store and those great prices just lure us in. Don’t buy a bag that’s too large though, and always keep an eye on that best by date.
Storage Containers
When picking out what container you want then, I’ve got some extra tips for storing food you’ve already bought safely:
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Never store in humid or sunny areas where mold can grow
- Wash storage containers regularly and allow them to dry out
- Never purchase any food that has been opened before
Conclusion
I thought it was hard enough to pick out the right dog food, but it’s even more difficult to pick out the right storage container! If I’ve put all this work into getting the right food, you can bet I want it to stay fresh. Get the perfect container to keep those big bags fresh while food remains nutritious and safe.