Learn how to properly store and preserve cat food and treats! [Freshness is key]

Did you know that cat food is prone to oxidation?

If cat dry food is stored incorrectly, its taste and aroma can diminish, potentially causing your cat to stop eating it. It might even be the reason for your cat’s fickle eating habits.

Properly storing cat food is extremely important.

In this article, we will focus on cat food oxidation and explain in detail how to store it and which containers to use to prevent it.

What is Cat Food Oxidation?

"Oxidation" refers to a chemical change that occurs when a substance is exposed to oxygen. Apples changing color or nails rusting are examples of oxidation.

Cat food will not oxidize as long as it remains unopened, but once you open the bag, the process begins.

Dry food contains a lot of fat, and when this fat oxidizes, it causes the taste and smell to change. Amino acids and vitamins also degrade due to oxidation, which lowers the nutritional value.

"Antioxidants" are used to protect cat food from such oxidation, but their effectiveness diminishes once the package is opened and exposed to air for a long time.

What happens if a cat eats oxidized cat food?

If a cat eats oxidized cat food, it may suffer from diarrhea or vomiting, so caution is required.

Since oxidized cat food changes in taste and smell, it is unappealing to cats. Your cat might even just sniff it and refuse to eat.

How to tell if cat food is oxidized

You definitely want to avoid feeding your cat oxidized food. However, unlike wet food, dry food shows almost no visual change when it oxidizes.

"It feels damp to the touch," "It has become sticky and oily," or "It was left out for a long time" are strong signs that it has oxidized.

Watch out for humidity

In addition to oxidation, you must also be careful about humidity. If you look at cat food packaging, you will likely see "Please store in a place away from direct sunlight, high temperature, and humidity" written on it.

Dry food has a moisture content of less than 10%, so humidity is its greatest enemy. Not only does it make the food taste bad, but it can also cause mold, so please be careful.

Check the expiration date

The expiration date listed on cat food packaging refers to when it is kept in a new, unopened state. To maintain the flavor, aroma, ingredients, and quality, it is best to finish the food as quickly as possible after opening. You must also be mindful of how you store it.

Proper Storage for Dry Food

Dry food is easier to store than wet food, but "oxidation" begins the moment it is opened. It is also susceptible to "humidity," so it is important to store it in an airtight manner.

Simply squeezing the air out of the bag and clipping it shut is fine, but if possible, prepare an airtight storage container to keep it away from the air as much as possible. It is safest to finish the bag within one month of opening.

• Divide into smaller portions in resealable storage bags
  
• Divide and freeze in small portions
  
• Store in airtight containers like Tupperware
  
• Store in a vacuum container
  
• Store in a dedicated cat food canister

Try these methods to see what works best based on how many cats you have and how much they eat.

How to store treats

To protect cat treats from oxidation, keep them in resealable bags or airtight containers.

For treats like "Churu" that your cat eats directly from the packaging, make sure to finish them in one sitting. Storing items that have come into contact with your cat’s saliva can lead to bacterial growth, which may cause your cat to feel unwell.

Recommended storage containers

You can purchase dedicated cat food canisters at pet shops and home improvement stores. They are convenient as they often include pockets for desiccant or measuring spoons. If you don't have one specifically for cats, any airtight container will do.

Where to store dry food

Even for unopened bags, do not store food under the kitchen sink, which can be hot and humid, or near windows exposed to direct sunlight. Avoid storing food in the refrigerator as it is prone to condensation. Keep it in a cupboard or pantry where your cat cannot get to it.

Proper Storage for Wet Food

Wet food spoils easily, so have your cat eat it as soon as it is opened. Do not save leftovers; discard them. Leaving food out is also not recommended.

If your cat cannot finish a serving, store it in the refrigerator. Tightly wrap the cat food can or transfer the food from a pouch to another airtight container to prevent oxidation, just as you would with dry food.

Even in the refrigerator, it cannot be kept for long. Although it should be stated on the wet food packaging, we recommend finishing it within 48 hours of opening at the latest.

Where to store wet food

Once opened, wet food must be stored in the refrigerator. Even before opening, avoid high-temperature, humid, or sunny locations. Be sure to store it out of reach of your cat, as they may bite into the retort pouches.

Summary

Cat food is prone to oxidation, which degrades its taste, aroma, and nutritional value. Depending on how you store it, it can lead to pickier eating or even result in diarrhea or vomiting.

Store dry food in an airtight container after opening and finish it within a month if possible. Either finish wet food immediately or store it in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours at most. These two points are essential.

Also, when purchasing cat food, try to choose small-bag sizes or products that are individually portioned. A good rule of thumb is a volume that can be consumed within one month for dry food, and a single-serving size for wet food.

Cats are creatures with particular tastes. Please review how you store your cat's food to ensure they stay healthy.

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