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Jun 2, 2024 · Dry Cat Food. Dry cat food, also known as kibble, is very shelf-stable when stored in a cool, dry place. It varies among cat food brands, but unopened dry cat food usually retains its nutrients and stays fresh for about 12 to 18 months after being manufactured. Once opened, use dry cat food within about six weeks.
- Nutritional Quality
- Contamination
- Fat and Spoilage
- Degrading of Preservatives
- True Meaning of Package Dates
The shelf life of a pet food is defined as the time frame the manufacturer is able to guarantee the nutritional values it advertises on its nutritional facts label, and this can vary greatly by brand and type of food (whether it's wet or dry). If you find yourself with an older can or bag of food, though, it doesn't necessarily mean it's gone bad o...
Pet food packaging is designed to prevent contamination, but some types are more susceptible to problems than others. Permeable packaging could expose food to moisture, insects, mold, and other contaminants, and the risk of this happening increases as time goes by—especially in biodegradable packaging. Always be sure to check food for pests, mold, ...
You'll find fat in pet food because it's essential for cats, but it can get rancid over time, even in dry food. Of course, you can't judge a food's quality by smell alone—many pet foods, especially wet cat foods, smell fairly pungent. However, if you're used to a particular brandor type of food, you'll notice the product smells slightly off, especi...
Preservatives are supposed to help keep cat food fresh, yet the preservatives themselves can degrade over time. That means they lose their ability to prevent spoilage, mold growth, and microbial growth. Some pet foods are preservative-free, but if your brand uses them, you should try to use it within the recommended shelf life to ensure the preserv...
There are no federal regulations that bar grocery stores and food markets from selling products that are past their recommended "Best By" date. But most stores do have policies that throw out these products once they pass their recommended shelf life. They often put overstocked items on sale if a batch is almost past its "Best By" date. Fresh food,...
- Barbara Nefer
Sep 19, 2024 · 6. Unusual Color. One of the first things that start to change when food spoils is the color. Often, the food will begin to give off more of a gray or green appearance, but no matter the color ...
Manufacturers set the “Best By” date to indicate the date the food will maintain its optimum nutritional value and potency, flavor and taste. After this date, the food is not suddenly bad, but the quality and nutritional value and potency will fade and you won’t be giving your pet the nutrition on the label any longer.
Nov 6, 2024 · Expiry Date: If a food is past its expiry date, it is considered dangerous for consumption and can lead to serious health issues if fed to your cat. Needless to say, you should never feed your cat ...
Here’s why cat food expiration dates matter: Ensuring freshness and quality: Just like any other food, cat food can spoil over time. Expiration dates are put in place to guarantee that the food remains fresh and maintains its nutritional value. Feeding your cat expired food could potentially compromise their health and well-being.
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Jan 14, 2021 · Unopened dry food can be safe to eat for a year after manufacture, and unopened cans have a shelf life of two years. The catch is that US pet food manufacturers aren’t required to put the date of manufacture on the label. Check to make sure that dry food bags are completely sealed and that cans are not warped and their lids aren’t popped up ...