How Does The Wet Pet Food Get Spoiled
Wet pet food is the easiest meal that one can serve its pets. It is not only easy but also preferred by most of the pets. This canned or wet pet food comes in a sealed tin pack and has a date mentioned on it with words like best by or best before etc.
This date is to make sure that food is not consumed after this date. One must make sure to keep an eye out for such dates to ensure that the food served to your beloved pets is healthy and nutritious.
Can Cats Eat Wet Food Out Of The Can
There are a lot of people who believe that cats only need to eat canned food and will be unhealthy if they eat dry food, says Larsen, noting that most cats can do fine on either. But the high moisture content in wet food can be beneficial to cats with urinary tract problems, diabetes, or kidney disease.
Top 5 Factors That Spoil Wet Food
When it comes to cat food, they all have their expiry dates, either in a can or sachet. However, if you can spot the spoiled food easily and not take it, the way your cat may respond to it is quite different.
As weâve said earlier, wet meal has a shorter life span than dry meal, and certain factors can speed up its spoilage. With that being said, letâs quickly walk you through the 5 factors that can spoil wet food.
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How Long Does Wet Cat Food Last
How long does wet cat food last? I really want to know because I eat wet cat food every night. I hate it when it gets cold and stale, so I always wolf down my meals as soon as mommy puts it out. The other day, I was at a friends house and I noticed some canned food laying around. Of course I tried to steal some. But then I looked at it and it was so disgusting I walked away.
The sight of that awful looking food got me thinking. How long does opened canned pet food remain safe?
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How Long Can Dry Cat Food Stay Out
Since dry food creates less of an inviting environment for bacteria, kibble is less likely to become contaminated. Additionally, since dry cat food is processed at higher temperatures when its made, the cooking process is likely to kill off any bacteria contaminating the raw ingredients.
You can safely leave dry cat food out for several days and it wont spoil, but its best to throw out leftovers and wash the dish on a daily basis, to keep Fluffys food at its freshest. Keep in mind that dry food will grow stale within a day and may not be as appealing to your cat once this happens.
Can I Give My Cat Expired Wet Food
First, always check the Best By date stamped on both canned and dry cat food when shopping at your local pet food store. After this date, the food is not suddenly bad, but the quality and nutritional value and potency will fade and you wont be giving your pet the nutrition on the label any longer.
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Can I Leave Wet Cat Food Out Overnight
Many pet owners prefer wet food for their cats because of the higher moisture content. Most cats do not drink enough water. Including wet cat food in their diets can increase their water intake which will improve their overall hydration. Although wet cat food is more palatable and has great benefits for your cat, cats rarely consume a full can of cat food in one sitting.
How To Tell If Dry Cat Food Is Bad
There are a few ways you can tell if dry food has gone bad. Look for signs that:
- The food smells off
- Its not loose and hard when you shake the food
- There are signs of discoloration or mold when you look closely
- You cat has either had diarrhea, vomiting, or visible signs of an upset stomach after eating it
To be honest, in most cases its fairly obvious when you take a look at fresh cat food next to some thats off or a bit stale.
As I mentioned above, its always best to be cautious and not give your kitty food youre not sure about.
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How Long Can Wet Cat Food Stay Out Of The Fridge
It is recommended that you store your wet cat food in the fridge to keep it fresh and extend its shelf life. Once taken out of the fridge and served to your pet, it will stay good for 4 hours. It is not advisable to leave it out all day thinking that your cat would finish eating it later on. This can increase the risk of bacterial growth which would be harmful to your feline.
How Do I Store Leftover Wet Cat Food
Storing left over cat food and keeping it fresh and safe for consumption by your cat is all about keeping it in optimal conditions away from humidity and moisture.
It is these two primary offenders that cause wet food to spoil.
It is the exposure to the air that will result in exposure to bacteria. This is why wet food generally lasts a long time when sealed, but not when opened.
Nevertheless, even then, a sealed can of wet food should never be stored in a place where temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. So a garage or a shed will not do.
Instead, look for a dry, cool place such as a inside a kitchen cupboard or closet.
But, if you have half of a can of open wet food, how do you go about storing it?
Well, youll be pleased to know that you can safely refrigerate it.
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Ways To Prevent Wet Food Spoilage
There are many working methods to prevent the spoilage of canned cat meal in todayâs world. Nevertheless, we recommend you to use the three ways listed in this article. Meanwhile, the way youâve stored unopened wet can food plays a crucial role in a catâs health. Without further ado, below are the ways to prevent it.
Best Wet Cat Food For Older Cats
Sometimes senior cats need a change in diet to make sure they are getting the right balance of calories and nutrients. Seniors may be less active than kittens or adult cats and need fewer calories in their diets.
Also, older cats are more likely to suffer from kidney problems, heart disease, and joint problems, so specially formulated foods can keep them healthier for longer.
Here are our picks for the best wet cat food for older cats:
Hills Science Diet is a trusted brand that is recommended by veterinarians and plenty of cat parents. This recipe, which is available in both chicken and turkey flavors, is suited for cats who are 7 years and older. Its formulated to help senior cats maintain lean muscle mass and is packed with vitamins that support immune health and kidney function.
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We love this variety pack from Fancy Feast because it offers four different flavors that are all made specifically with kittens in mind. Options include Ocean Whitefish, Turkey, Chicken, and Salmon. The pate texture of these recipes make it easy for kittens to eat theseeven if their teeth are still coming in. Youll find real poultry or seafood as the first ingredient in all of the formulas and they contain a touch of milk for added richness. Plus, you really cant beat the price at under $15 for a pack of 24 cans!
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Things to Consider
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Buy Only What You Need
Although most dry or canned foods usually have a long shelf life, they wont stay fresh forever. Over time, the fresh-out-of-the-bag flavor and smell that makes your pets run to the bowl can start to fade. On top of that, all the valuable nutrients can lose their potency, leaving your kitty or pup with less than you thought you were getting. For all of these reasons, you should only order as much as youll need for about 30 days, give or take. When the goods arrive at your doorstep, be sure to inspect all bags and cans for tears, dents and leaks, which can lead to quicker spoilage.
Does Dry Cat Food Go Bad Sitting Out
Dry food will go bad if left sitting out. There are a few things to take into account such as how hot it is, the humidity, and where its left for the most part.
As a general rule of thumb, dry food should not be left out more than 8 hours in cool temperatures.
If its a warm day, however, say about 50 degrees F, you shouldnt leave dry food out more than four hours.
If its a humid day or the food has become damp, then the time it can be left out is greatly reduced.
Damp food will be contaminated with bacteria quicker than dry as bacteria breeds within moisture. Its not worth risking leaving out damp food, toss it away.
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What Can I Do With Leftover Wet Cat Food
As you learned earlier, storing the leftover cat food is important for you to get her to eat it at a later date. But, what is the best way to do this?
Leftover cat food needs to be stored in a fridge within 4 hours. But, it must be transferred from the metal can to a suitable container. This container will need to be airtight to make it effective. This will lock in the moisture and make it easier for feeding later.
Now you know how to store the leftover cat food to improve your chances of serving it to your cat later and getting her to eat it. Keep reading to see why some cats just seem to lose their appetite.
What Happens After Cat Food Is Expired
When food hits the expiry date there is usually a little bit of extra time available before it really goes off, are you with me?
You will notice that dry food typically lasts longer than wet or moist food. With time the proteins and nutrients within the food will start to break down, hence the need for the expired date.
Depending on the type of food that you have, whether its a premium type of food or not, there could be a big difference in the expiration dates.
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Is It Ok To Feed A Cat Canned Tuna
There is a chance that you have heard rumors about tuna. Some say its great, others say its not good for cats, so which is it?
Cats can eat tuna but in moderation. You will find most cats will love the taste, but its still not an ideal replacement for a well-balanced diet. This is because it does not contain sufficient nutrients for your cat on its own. Also, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
You have learned that cats can have tuna, but not too much. Keep reading to see what you can do to gets your cats appetite back.
How Long Can The Wet Pet Food Be Kept Outside At Room Temperatures
Do you leave your food out for long hours? Do you prefer to eat the food that has been sitting out at the shelf for a whole day? Would you rethink before heating up your food left at the counter last night and eating it again?
If you have answered all these questions with no and made a disgusted face, well, same is the case for your pets wet food. U.S. food safety and sanitation guidelines say that food exposed to temperatures of 40F to 140F must not be consumed after a maximum of 4 hours. Such food may be contaminated and would not be suitable for consumption.
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Refrigerate An Open Can
If youâre not ready to serve an open wet food, the best way to keep it healthy is to refrigerate it. By doing so, it will stay fresh for up to four days, and it will also be healthy. On the flip side, you should always remember to warm the canned meal when feeding your pet since the cat doesnât eat cold.
If possible, cover it with plastic wrap and put it into a microwave on a low setting for a short period of time. In addition to this fact, ensure you avoid overheating the food not to burn your little petâs tongue.
How To Tell If Your Cats Food Is Expired
But how can you tell if your cats food is expired? This is much easier than you would think. The first thing you should check for is a best by or expiration date. This is a date that comes printed on the original packaging which indicates when the food should be used for maximum freshness and nutrition.
However, the date may be a bit tricky to find at first. It may be printed somewhere on the side or bottom of the bag or can. Normally, you would want to check this date before purchase. But if you didnt have the opportunity before buying it, you need to inspect the bag and date before feeding it to your loved one.
Also, you should have some situational awareness when youre feeding your cat. Does this food smell or look the same as last time you fed it to them? Are there bugs crawling around in it or is mold present? You should be asking yourself these questions as youre preparing their dish.
When it comes to open canned cat food, determining whether or not the food is expired is pretty easy. If the food is discolored, has a sour smell, or is off in any other way, go ahead and toss it. Its just not worth the risk of getting your feline furball sick.
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Can Wet Cat Food Be Left Out Overnight
Even though it is clear now that leaving wet cat food out for too long will not be safe, there will be some that still wonder if they can leave it out overnight.
No, you can not leave wet cat food out overnight. This is because it is only safe if it is consumed within 4 hours. And, the chances are you will sleep longer than 4 hours. Meaning, you cant tell if the food will be consumed within this limit.
So, you have learned that leaving wet cat food out overnight is not a good idea. But, keep reading to learn how often you should be feeding it to your cat in general.
How To Store Wet Cat Food
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If youve decided wet food is best for your cat, its important to keep your chosen brand of cat food safely stored. Food that is out-of-date, improperly stored, or exposed to air for too long can be harmful to your cats health. To store wet food properly, keep opened food refrigerated, store unopened food in a cool, dry place, and avoid common storage mistakes to ensure your cat is receiving a healthy meal.
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Does Dry Cat Food Go Bad
Does your cat like to slowly graze on food throughout the day, then meow and moan at you as soon as their bowl is empty?
Me too. Its kind of annoying, isnt it?
If so, youre probably wondering does dry cat food go bad if its left sitting out for too long? Can it cause your cat to get sick through food poisoning?
I know one thing, I dont like leaving out wet food for my cats. It attracts flies, smells if left too long, becomes hard to clean off their bowls, and very obviously goes bad.
I do try and leave some dry kibble food out at all times though as they are grazers.
If you want peace of mind that your cats dry food is safe and fresh as I did heres everything Ive been able to find out:
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