Dog Food Storage Containers - What You Should Know Before You Buy

When looking at dog food storage containers, you need to keep several factors in mind before deciding on which one is right for you. While there are some containers that are very decorative, the primary function of dog food storage is to keep air and water out - and this is the one factor that is more important than all others, even style and size. If you are given the option of a smaller, quality airtight container over a larger and prettier container that does not have an excellent seal, always go with the quality airtight storage container.

The importance of the container being airtight and waterproof is two-fold:

• Firstly, nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals are lost to oxidation. This means every time you open your dog's bag of food, some of its important nutrients are lost. By the time most people get to the bottom of the bag that is not properly stored, almost all vitamins and minerals are gone.


• Secondly, it is very important not to let your dry dog food to get wet or even moist. Humidity can destroy this type of food just as easily as it getting wet. So what's the big deal if it gets a little wet? Mold will start to grow on the food, and you can't always see it right away. Many of these molds have mycotoxins that can harm your dog.

This means that a regular storage tote you can buy in your local home improvement store, while better than just an open bag of food, still really isn't good enough to store your dog's food. You really need to look at a storage bin that is airtight, which will also be waterproof for most people's needs. And there are other advantages to purchasing this type of storage bin, such as keeping the pests out of the food. This means ants, fruit flies, maggots, mice, etc. And if you keep your dog food outside or in your garage, this is even more important as bigger pests can easily break into many regular storage totes.

Another factor to consider when buying a storage container is the size you will need. Determine how much food you usually buy. Are you getting containers to enable you to buy in bulk? There is at least one excellent airtight container that can hold up to 80 lbs. of food. If you have a small dog and don't buy much dog food at one time, there are many very attractive containers that can sit on the counter or floor that have great seals.

Another factor is where you will store your dog food storage bin. Is closet or pantry space tight to where it needs to be out in the open? There are plenty of decorative storage options to meet your needs. Or maybe you need to store the food in the garage. Make sure you get a thick plastic container as mice are great at nibbling through thin plastic. Can you store it in your pantry but it might be a little hard to get to? There are many options with wheels so you can maneuver the container in and out as needed. The bottom line is there are many different styles that will accommodate most people, but you need to really think about where and how you will use your container first.

The proper dog food storage containers are vital to keeping your dog food fresh and uncontaminated. There are functional and decorative dog food storage containers that can meet your needs. Just use your diligence to find the type and style that you want, but always make sure it is an airtight container.

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Dry Pet Food Storage

Dry food is one of the more popular varieties for many pet owners. Although it does not spoil nearly as quickly as an open can of wet food, dry food still requires attention to proper storage in order to ensure it remains a healthy and enjoyable diet for your pet. Dry pet food suffers from negative effects from heat, direct light, moisture, and oxygen. Keeping these elements away from your dry pet's food storage container will ensure that your pets are well-nourished, and that you are getting what you paid for.

First, keep in mind that no food storage method is perfect, and that the longer food is stored, the more its quality will degrade. As inconvenient as it may be, you are best off buying only one week's supply of food at a time. Also, when purchasing food, look for the Best Buy date, which should be marked on all quality pet food brands. Try to find a bag with the longest remaining shelf life possible.

Next, you'll want to identify the ideal area of your house to store the food in. You are looking for an area that is cool, dry, and shady. Bathrooms and kitchens are a poor choice, as these are areas that tend to be filled with steam from showers or dishwater. The garage may be a good choice, provided that it stays cool throughout the day and year- if the temperature fluctuates wildly in your garage, find another spot. Basements and cellars may work, provided they stay dry year-round. Try to store food a few feet above the ground, where moisture will be less likely to condense.

Next, consider your method of storage. Your goal is to expose the food to as little air and light as possible, so don't pour the food out of its original packaging- just place the entire ball of wax into another container. Hopefully, your container will have an air-tight lid. If you have the ability and inclination, vacuum-sealing is a great way to extend the life of your pet's food. Otherwise, use the smallest container possible for the quantity of food you want to store. You can help to keep moisture out by placing some kind of dessicant in the container (not in with the food!). You've seen dessicants before, packed into little bags that come with many consumer products- shoes, for instance. You can reuse these packets if you save them, or use regular table salt, between the food packaging and your container.

Temperature will begin to affect the pet food whenever it is above 70 degrees. Refrigeration is an option, and will maintain the nutritional value of the food- however, it may change the texture or flavor in such a way as to make it less enjoyable for your pet. If you want to refrigerate your pet's food, try it with a small portion first to ensure that a pup with a sensitive palate won't reject his kibble.

By carefully controlling the environment you use for pet food storage, and by buying only a few days worth of pet food at a time, you can prevent the loss of nutrients due to oxidization. Pet food is expensive, so get the most for your money with smart pet food storage!

When storing your pet food you should always go with a quality pet food storage containers. These storage containers are designed to keep your pet's food fresh and tasty and to keep other animals, both wild and domestic, out of the food. The quality of the dog food storage and cat food storage containers make all the difference.

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