It should come as no surprise to hear that fresh food is just as important for cats as it is for humans. By necessity, humans have learned how to store food in ways that keep it from spoiling. It only makes sense to take similar measures when managing Fluffy’s food supply. And how you store and handle cat food not only affects its freshness but also its nutritional value. Here are a few don’ts to remember so Fluffy can stay healthy and well-fed.

Don’t Store Dry Cat Food on the Shelf

While it may seem like a non-perishable item, dry cat food will get stale if left on the shelf for weeks on end. Instead, store your cat’s morsels in the freezer. It can keep dry food fresh for a long time. In fact, dry cat food will stay fresh for up to 26 weeks, which works especially well for those of us who like to buy in bulk. Just make sure it’s wrapped tightly so moisture doesn’t get inside. And always make sure to thaw it out before feeding it to your cat.

Don’t Get Rid of the Original Packaging

While transferring dry cat food into resealable containers may be convenient, that’s not actually the best way to keep your kitty’s food fresh. Fortunately, manufacturers design the bags that high-quality cat food comes in to maintain freshness for as long as possible. So if you do opt to use resealable containers, it’s best to keep the food in the bag and then place the bag in the container. Also, the original packaging lists the food’s barcode, expiration date, and batch code. This information is important to have in the event of a cat food recall.

Don’t Store Cat Food in High Temperature or High Humidity Environments

All kinds of food -including cat food- should never be left to sit in hot temperatures or humid environments. Heat and humidity easily breed bacteria, so always store Fluffy’s food in a dry, cool place.

Don’t Expose Kitty’s Food to Air

Air speeds up the rate at which food spoils, so never leave your kitty’s food uncovered when storing it. When exposed to light and oxygen, food materials start to degrade. It will lose any mineral or vitamin value it had, and any fat or oil-based ingredients will become rancid. These make for prime conditions for bacteria to grow. If you have any more questions about how to keep kitty’s food fresh, don’t hesitate to call us! And have a happy holiday season!