Thanks for reading my article, and any comments are welcome! Assume a bag of dry food will go bad in a few weeks after its opened no matter what the expiration date is.. If it doesnt smell bad, do we really have to throw it out when it goes past that date, or can we still feed it to Fido? Use by dates, conversely, are a little more finite and warn that the food may well be bad if eaten after it has passed. Does Dog Food Expire? Know How To Store Your Pet Food Better! Hepper is reader-supported. Kibble is ultra-processed pet food and contains preservatives designed to give it a longer shelf life, Chavez says. What is the use of expired dry dog food? Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? The Problems with Expired Dog Food (Tips for Prevention) We pay close attention to the expiration date on the foods we buy, because we know funky things can happen if we allow foods to hang around in our fridge too long. While some dogs have consumed expired meat without any adverse effects, it's not worth the risk. Food that's only a few months past the expiration is generally safe for dogs. Once the best by date has passed, the nutritional value can start to degrade, acting as advice rather than a warning. Fat is often vilified as an unnecessary additive to foods because it can cause weight gain, but it is an essential part of your dogs diet. You can then track how long after that date you need to discard it based on this schedule: Store all food in a tightly sealed container and clean up any spills as they happen. Learn how your comment data is processed. We all know good-quality food is better for us and our pups, so even though expired food that isnt at its best can be safe for Fido, it doesnt mean you should give it to him. 5. It is generally safe for dogs to eat food that has been out of date for several months. In addition to food poisoning, expired meat, such as spoiled chicken, may also contain bacteria that cause conditions like gastroenteritis, which will make dogs go through periods of diarrhea and vomiting. It is intended to provide you with information about the time period in which the food you are about to consume has the most nutrition. dogs can eat expired, with that said, make sure to check the food before feeding your dog for if it has any signs of mold or fungal bacteria. If your dog is allowed to eat expired dog food for an extended period of time, it can indicate malnutrition. Fido, on the other hand, wont care and might happily chow down on soured food. It is best to use food that has been opened by the date printed on the label. Our Vet Explains, Answered by Dr. Lindsay Bisset, BVSc (Vet), E. Coli Infection in Cats: Vet Explained Causes, Signs & Treatments, Answered by Dr. Chantal Villeneuve, MS BVetMed (Vet), Pug Pregnancy: What to Expect When Shes Expecting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). And even though our dog handles the digestion of food differently than we do, that doesnt mean that hes better equipped to handle bad food better than us. Some local waste disposal or recycle programs may also use compost programs for expired foods and pet foods, so you can also reach out to your local waste management program, she adds. Read our. According to 88% of reports, the faulty dog food was dry food. Despite being a tasty treat for people, ingesting even the smallest amount can be extremely hazardous to your dogs' health. And high temperatures can make the food rancid. While the changes are frequently subtle, they will begin to notice the effects as your dogs diet ages, depending on the age of the food. Dry Dog Food Can Expire and Make Your Dog Sick Diarrhea and sickness is the main problem you will encounter if Fidos food is bad. When dog food is produced, it goes through several processes meant to increase the foods longevity and make it healthy. Most pet food will still list "best by" dates so that pet owners can confidently know they are feeding their pets food that has optimal nutrients, smell, taste, and texture. Carnobacterium spp. If you havent already, you should begin using dried dog food within six weeks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Reviewed By Tom Updated: 11/11/21 3 min read Health Digestive System The smell of rancid food indicates that it is likely to have already expired. Dry food is devoid of odor, whether it is gone or not. How long does the food in my pets food stay fresh? After all, we should always be striving to provide the best for your furry friends, and making sure you arent inadvertently getting him sick with dog food past its prime is a simple yet effective way of making sure this is happening. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She is an expert on pet behavior and medical condition symptoms. However, adding new foods to a dog's diet can lead to diarrhea and other health problems, so it's often safer to use a probiotic supplement. DCM is a type of heart failure that is linked to too many lentils, peas, potatoes or sweet potatoes in pet food. Worms In Dog Food: 8 Best Way To Prevent Worm, Can I Mix Cat Food With Dog Food: 11 Worst Effect - Dogs Food Mart, Should Dogs Only Eat Dog Food: 5 Best Natural Diet - Dogs Food Mart, The best food for 6weeks old puppy:10 Best food - Dogs Food Mart, Expired Dog Food: 8 Best Advice - Dogs Food Mart, Canidae Pure Senior Recipe Dog Food: The Best 11 Benefits, Worst Dog Foods: Worst 8 Brands Should Avoid, How To Make Wet Dog Food: The Best 13 Ways to Make. Does Dog Food Expire? 4 Tips to tell if dog food has gone bad! - Dogs Vets While the word "preservatives" has gained a bad reputation in recent years, they are vital in keeping your pet's food safe for consumption. Dry dog food should not be heated or left out of direct sunlight at temperatures of no more than 80 degrees Celsius. It is very important to be extremely cautious when purchasing dog food from an open container, such as at a bulk store or market. Just like us, [dogs] can get sick [from eating expired dog food], he explains. Ask Pet Guru is a free website designed to assist you with making an informed decision regarding your dog. Because of this, we may think that they are better equipped to handle past-its-prime food stuff. Will expired dry dog food hurt dogs? In this article, we highlight some key features of whether dog foods expire, and we'll also try answering the questions; what causes food to spoil, how do you know your dog's food has expired, what are the health risks to your dog, and how do you prevent your puppy's food from spoiling? 6 Deadly Poisons That Could Kill Your Dog - PetPlace If you suspect your dog ate spoiled or expired dog food, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine how to treat the situation. One more problem is that some dogs may be allergic to milk, even milk thats gone bad. What to do with expired dog food storage, 3. Our four-legged friends also don't shy away from eating food that's not meant for them. Mouse and Rat Baits. In addition to food poisoning, expired meat, such as spoiled chicken, may also contain bacteria that cause conditions like gastroenteritis, which will make dogs go through periods of diarrhea . The substances used to preserve dog food lose their effectiveness over time. When we say the expired food here, we are referring to unopened dry dog food that's only a few months past the expiration. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. [The] expiration date is the date the manufacturer recommends discarding the product, he explains. Dry food, in particular, should be discarded after it has been stored at its best by a few months because it can harbor fungal bacteria. If the food is stored in an area that has excess moisture, the pet food can grow moldy. However, if your pet is overly persistent or clever in getting into her food, you can keep it in a secure location. Do not feed your dog food that is past the expiration date. Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? - American Kennel Club Dog food may not look like the kind of food we eat, but that doesnt mean it wont spoil or go rancid after a certain period of time. When Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Expired Leftover Food? - Daily Dog Stuff Featured Image: Piyawat Nandeenopparit, Shutterstock, My Dog Ate Chocolate: What You Need to Do (Vet Answer), How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Shoes & Boots: 5 Proven Methods, My Dog Ate Raw Chicken! The opening of a bag of dry dog food can result in an extended shelf life of up to two years. August 23, 2021 by John Eppler. Exposure to air allows potentially harmful bacteria to enter the food where it could grow and multiply. The Risks Of Feeding Your Dog Expired Dog Food, Understanding Why German Shepherds Struggle to Stand and Walk: Causes and Solutions, German Shepherd Vocal Cord Location: Exploring the Anatomy, Unraveling the Nintendogs Mystery: Identifying the German Shepherd Edition, Unraveling Addisons Disease in Golden Retrievers: Prevalence and Insights, Paw-sing to Explore: The Ideal Walking Distance for Your 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Personality: Unleashing the Best of Both Breeds, Understanding the Fascinating World of Golden Retriever Gate, Living with a German Shepherd in a Small Space: Making the Most of Limited Room, Can Golden Retrievers be Prone to Cancer? You can also place it in a sealed bag or container to minimize the risk of contact with other foods. In regards to added preservatives, there are various kinds of natural and synthetic preservatives used in pet food. The bloodstream can be infected with bacteria such as Salmonella, E. Coli, Botulism, and many more. The key is to get him treated as soon as possible. If your dog is allowed to eat expired dog food for an extended period of time, you may see signs of malnutrition because of nutritional depletion. An items best by date indicates when it is not as nutritionally complete as the label indicates. If the food has been sealed, it is generally safe to keep it for up to 18 months after the expiration date. Because if the color is off, or it smells like rotten meat, it most probably is. Alycia Washington is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with nearly a decade of experience as a small animal emergency veterinarian. Depending on the pathogen, though, your dog may become seriously ill. Bacteria like E. coli can cause life-threatening illnesses if left untreated. If the food has been stored in airtight containers and is nearing the end of its useful life, it is safe to eat it. Admit it: You didnt know dog food has an expiration date. You might be able to tell if the food has spoiled by checking for these signs: You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten expired dog food: If you notice these symptoms in your dog, then be sure to call the vet right away. When it does sour, it produces an unmistakable, intense rotting smell. We should always dispose of expired dog food properly, as it can be harmful to both us and our pets if ingested. All Rights Reserved 2023. If the food has been expired for more than a week and it is not moldy or contaminated with bacteria, it can be eaten. When it is or isnt an Emergency, Can Dogs Eat Lobster Meat? If your dog eats spoiled or expired dog food, he or she may exhibit symptoms of general gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting. This will cause many health issues, that if untreated, could mean a life-threatening battle for your pup. While most dogs will not suffer any ill effects from eating expired dog food, there are some risks involved. Make sure you know what your pets food should smell, look and feel like. Call the vet if you start to see any concerning symptoms. When mold excretes toxins (which are collectively known as mycotoxins), some of them, such as vomitoxin, can cause very serious harm to dogs. The bodys micronutrient reserves will dwindle. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. In the case of wet food, dont even think about it. Xylitol is a sugar substitute often used in gum, mints, and even toothpaste. This means they dont have the right amino acid that helps their bodies digest milk. You should also consider whether the food has an expiration date, a foul odor, or whether your dog refuses to eat it if you are concerned about its quality. Expired pet foods often smell off, leading your dog to turn up his nose at the food bowlbut he might be too food motivated to notice, so its important for the humans to pay attention. This inherent diligence is even more important to carry out when youre looking to buy dog food. Rancid fats and oils, which can develop in expired food, may lead to vomiting and diarrhea, while mold and bacteria can cause more severe diseases. You can also place it in a sealed bag or container to minimize the risk of contact with other foods. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat. First and foremost, you need to understand how the expiration dates work on dog food. This means putting it in a garbage bag and tying it up so that no one can get to it. It is important to check the expiration date on dog food before feeding it to your pet. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Check the food for a best before or use-by date. She has a husband, two kids, a three-legged dog and two silly old cats at home. If you have a compost bin, you can also compost the food. Unlike food that just doesnt agree with him, bacteria contamination can cause severe infections that last days and can even become life-threatening. What to do with expired dog food why does it go wrong? You wont smell much of a difference compared to non-expired chow, and your dog wont be all that fussy about eating it if you feed him. Feeding your dog expired food can make him sick. In comparison, the pouched and canned varieties have a shelf life of approximately 1-5 years. However, we may not be as diligent when it comes to our poochs food. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? The risks of getting your dog sick because you fed expired food are just not worth taking. Even if the food has not been opened and is still fresh, your pet may not be receiving all of the nutrients they would normally receive. If the weather is warm, moist, and cloudy, mold and insects will appear. This is the main reason that packaged food needs to be thoroughly checked before it is fed to dogs. Which, in turn, leads to the possibility of illness. Your dog will not eat the food Your dog shows signs of being ill or discomfort after eating The dog food has passed the expiration date by several weeks Diarrhea Vomiting Nausea Lack of appetite Lethargy Dehydration Neurological signs (lack of coordination, tremors, seizures, collapse) Your dog will benefit from all of the nutrients and flavors when you pay close attention to the expiration date of his food. Degraded foodstuffs often lose their vitamin and mineral goodness before they go moldy or rotten. If you have leftover food in the house, put it away immediately. If it smells bad, has mold, or is infested with bugs, then its time to toss it. Food Poisoning in Dogs: A Helpful Guide | Canna-Pet . The little white fluffy spores seem to stand out even on soft white bread, and if you get up close and personal with your pups kibble, it is the same. Since kibble, wet food, fresh ultra-processed and fresh frozen dog foods all go bad quickly once the packaging is open, its important to take steps to extend the shelf life and preserve the quality. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Has your dog drunk expired milk? Can I Use Expired Dog Food? - Puppy Adviser If you have leftover food in the house, put it away immediately. Dried food contaminated with bacteria can cause food poisoning if consumed by your dog. Expired food can present both minor and severe risks to your pup, and, for this reason, we would say not to take the risk with it. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! If you have more food than your dog can eat before it gets sick, you can always store it in the freezer. The Problems with Expired Dog Food (Tips for Prevention) Store any food in an airtight container or bag so that animals cant access it, and ensure that any refrigerator or freezer doors are shut tightly. Fresh food, according to Chavez, smells like food, whereas bad food smells like food. First, expired dry food is not going to be as nutritious as fresh food. This will help break down the food and return the nutrients to the soil. Use the use-by date as a guideline for how long the dog food will be good for. And if youre ever in doubt, throw it away. The Problems with Expired Dog Food - The Pet Town The Ultimate Guide to What Dogs Can and Can't Eat | ZooAwesome Lets get started! Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Drank Expired Milk What Should I Do? Add water and put it back in the refrigerator if it looks dry. Keep food fresh by storing it properly, and avoid storing it for long periods of time. If the ambient temperature of where the food is stored is excessively high, fats in the food can go rancid. However, it is good to know that its enough of a possibility to where you shouldnt just assume the bag your picking up is fit for consumption. When it comes to expiration dates on dog food, it is essential to remember that they are just guidelines. As a result, its critical to be aware of the signs of food that have exploded. A dog food that is spoiled may have a sour or rancid odor. When it is or isnt an Emergency. Manage Settings Avocados, raw eggs, fish and meat, garlic and onions, chocolates, foods with excess salt, different types of nuts, raisins, bacon, grapes, candy, and caffeine . The sooner you consume it, the better. Most dog owners feed their animals a mix of fresh and dried food, and if youre one of them, you probably do so. rancid fat, spoiled proteins, and moldy grains are some of the ingredients that are used. In rare cases, dogs can die from eating chocolate. Despite the importance of heeding the expiration date, more than 10 percent of pet owners never check the expiration dates on pet food packaging and 7 percent admitted to feeding their pets expired kibble, according to 2021 research (1). Dispose of any uneaten, expired dog food in a trash can that is out of reach of animals. In short, the answer to this question is, yes. Just like our food, fresh food smells like food and bad food smells off, Chavez says. Well, not so much. Dogs are not picky eaters. If your dogs food bag or can is marked with an expiration date, it is safe to feed it to him. Please do not hesitate to discuss any questions you may have about feeding your dog with your veterinarian. An airtight container can be a great way to keep your dog food fresh. Have you ever checked the expiration date on your dogs food? Some human foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, have live cultures that may benefit some dogs. Spoiled dry food rarely smells rotten, so dont let this be your leading indicator. What happens if dogs eat rotten meat? - Pet Dog Owner This does not mean that an old bag or can of dog food has gone bad or has lost its nutritional value. stainless steel is an excellent material for storing pet food because it is simple to maintain and lasts longer. No, dogs should not eat spoiled meat because it contains deadly and harmful bacteria and toxins that may make your dog sick and infect him. When milk spoils, it becomes difficult to digest and may develop toxic pathogens. Were referring to dog food that is in airtight packaging. "Kibble is ultra-processed pet food and contains preservatives designed to give it a longer shelf life," Chavez says. The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. If a dog drinks milk thats gone bad, it is possible he could become sick. Avocados Avocados contain a toxin called persin, which is perfectly safe for human consumption but can be very poisonous to dogs ( 1 ). Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Other mycotoxins can also cause muscle tremors when ingested. A more serious aspect of spoiled food is the possibility of serious bacteria breeding and being present when your pup eats it. Its a simple example of semantics, but its strong enough to let us potentially believe that its not all that big of a deal if we miss this date by a few weeks or even months. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Theres a chance your dog could become very sick from the pathogens that exist in bad milk. But, keeping your pup fit and healthy should be your first concern, so why take the risk? Because it tends to grow on the top layer of food, both wet and dry, it is easy to spot. My Dog Drank Expired Milk What Should I Do? | Our Fit Pets Feeding your pup a healthy, nutritious food doesn't stop once you make an educated decision on what to feed, though. The spoiled foods will have bacteria present that can upset the balance within the gut and intestine, which causes the body to expel extra fluids in a bid to flush them out. It depends on how sensitive they are to milk. And what if the dog gets into the expired milk? After being deteriorated, deteriorated foods lose their vitamin and mineral content and perish. My Dog Ate Expired Dog Food Will He Get Sick? | Our Fit Pets A dog, like a person, can become ill if he or she eats expired dog food, according to him. We all know hes eaten worse on trips to the garbage can and when he finds discarded food in the park. You may find these phrases in regard to the milks expiration: All of this is confusing! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If your dog has eaten expired dog food, it might experience vomiting, diarrhea, or both. If your dog eats expired dog food, it is possible that they will experience gastrointestinal upset. Studies have shown that milk, when properly stored and unopened, can last about 5-7 days past the date listed on the carton. Can Dogs Eat Expired Dog Food? Furthermore, Chavez believes that expired foods can have negative health consequences. What are some common signs that dog food has gone wrong? It doesn't always mean that the pet food is no longer safe, though. It happens to all of us at some point. Best Dog Food For Border Terriers (5 Great, Healthy Options), Best Dog Food for Toy Poodles: Feeding the Play Machine. Expiry dates are designed to ensure that the food is safe and nutritious for your dog. When they do, degradation could unwittingly settle in on the chow, with potentially disastrous results. No, you should not donate expired dog food. Any spoiled meat that's well passed the expiry date or has been left out at room temperature for a long period of time should be discarded immediately. You can use dry dog food within six weeks of opening the package. If the food is bad and the fat has turned, it can lead to digestion issues. These bacteria can make your pet sick or even kill them. This, in turn, attracts pests, which can then lay eggs in the food and can lead to serious issues for dogs if ingested. In dog food packaging, there are frequently expiration dates written near the barcode. Whether it's providing top-notch products, services or technology, our unified platform connects vets with the knowledge and award-winning resources they need, so their practices and clients thrive. Antifreeze has a sweet taste and dogs like it.