How Long Does Dry Dog Food Last?

Dogs are very loyal pets and they are considered as the best friend to man. Even when you travel outside of the country, we keep it with us inside the dog carrier backpack. So as a dog owner, you want your canine to be in healthy condition with shiny coat and skin. You want your dog to be strong and able to play around as well as do everything you might require of him.

Just like you will purchase the best dog carrier or dog harness for your dog, it is important to feed him with a diet rich in animal protein and nutrients to ensure good health. As humans, we take care of what we eat to keep fit and to maintain nutritional balance in our body system. Therefore what is required of you as a dog owner, is to take care of all your dog’s nutritional needs to keep him fit as well.

There are different types of dog food but for the purpose of this post, our focus is on Dry Dog Food.  

Dry Dog Food

Dry dog food is by far the most popular canine food sold today. This type of dog food is made with tasty ingredients such as meat, fruits, and vegetables. Other ingredients include chicken, salmon oil, omega 6 fatty acids, sweet potato and many other nutrients. They are mostly grain free and are highly recommended for dogs with food sensitivities.

Older dogs virtually prefer dry dog food simply because its components help to keep them healthy, strong and of course, gives them strength for mobility. They are cost effective and affordable. Dry dog food doesn’t require refrigeration for storage. It makes it even more convenient for dog owners to purchase and keep for future use.

This brings us to the question of the expiry date for dry dog food. Among the best natural dry dog food products are as follows; Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food, Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food and Orijen.

How Long does Dry Dog Food Last?

This is indeed a good question, and I’m sure you are aware that a bag of dry dog food bears the expiry date. But then have you thought about how long it will last when it is opened. You will agree with me that the best date on the bag is only applicable when it is not opened.

Of course, it is true that a bag of dry dog food can last for many months between 6months -1year 0r even years. However, the best date of dry dog food is estimated based on when the bag of the food is yet to be opened.

Now, do you know what happens when you open the dry dog food bag? If you don’t, well, now you know that the moment the bag is open, oxidation process begins. The quality of the food automatically begins to depreciate and believe it or not, the expiry date on the package will become rather meaningless.

Oxidation makes the food nutrients to start depreciating and it also weakens vitamin potency. When this happens, the dog food becomes rusty with time but not long enough as expected. When this dog food gets rusty, the nutrients also begins to depreciate.

Since dog food mostly contains average fats, upon rusting these fats start smelling or tasting bad because it has stayed for too long. This can lead to the presence of bacteria which could introduce the toxic substance into your dog’s body. You know very well that it could make him feel unwell if he was to be served that food. This smell might not be obvious since you are dealing with dry supplement.

 Speaking on how long dry dog food can last, Steve Brown a leader in dog nutritional diets, posited that an open bag of dry dog food can last for a week. On the other hand, a vet and also a pet nutritionist, Dr. Frick A proposed a maximum of 3 weeks so after this period and you still have a remnant of food, you dispose of it for your dog’s health.

Recommendation

Always buy smaller bags depending on how much food your dog (s) consumes. So choose a good size that can take care of your dogs for short a period of time. Feeding your dog (s) with fresh food will do more good than harm. Don’t forget that your dog is your best friend.

 Final thoughts

Feeding your dog (s) with a food rich in nutrients will make their muscle strength, build their energy, increase alertness and of course maintain their body system. Since your dog is your best friend, make sure you keep him in good health with high premium quality dry dog food.