How Long Does Wet Dog Food Last?

Calling all dog lovers! If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious canned food meal for your furry friend, look no further than wet dog food! This type of pet food is specially formulated to provide a well-balanced diet for your pup, with a high moisture content to keep them hydrated and healthy.

Veterinary guidance and canine education for dog owners are equally important to treat your furry friends with proper meal care. As per veterinary guidance, dog food should contain an adequate amount of nutrients.

Many pet doctors provide veterinary advice that we should treat our dogs with different kinds of healthy food. Dry dog food and canned dog food is one of them.

If you wonder, if wet dog food is good for your dogs then it can be said that not only is wet food easy to digest, but wet food is also a great option for dogs with dental issues or difficulty chewing, especially for older dogs. Sometimes dogs don’t want to eat only dry food. 

So next time you’re browsing the pet food aisle or dry dog food, be sure to consider the benefits of canned food products of wet dog food for your four-legged companion! Also, if you have older dogs at home, then wet canned products are a must-have with dry dog food or dry kibble.

You may have veterinary advice that only dry dog food is not enough for dogs, they need variation. So, providing the pet both with dry dog food and wet food will make a balance for them.

While buying canned products you may have some questions, how long does wet dog food last? Do they stay in a good state just like other dry dog food?

Does it depend on a particular brand or it depends on some facts that avoidance would save the wet food to spoil?

So, take a deep breath as I am going to tell you the secret about how long wet dog food lasts. Get ready to learn more about how to treat your furry friends to both dry and wet food.

How long does wet dog food last?

When buying a can of wet dog food, you must keep it in an environment where the temperature is about 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is good for maintaining the quality of the food. Always keep the can of food away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight and air exposure are not good for dry food and wet food. You can’t even leave dry dog food for a long time in an open place. 

Use the can till the “use by” or expiration date is suggested. You don’t need to place the unopened can in a refrigerator. The unopened can have preservatives in it which will prevent it from getting spoiled till the expiration date or the date stamped. 

Sometimes, there is extra food left after you have divided the wet food into portions for your dog. In this case, you would have to do something to preserve the extra food left in the open can. 

Unlike dry food, wet dog food contains moisture. It would dry up if we place the can at room temperature. It is not like dry food that doesn’t contain extra moisture. That’s why store cans or store wet food management for canned pet food is a little tricky.

Then what can I do?

Here are some tips that you should try on

Moisture can easily find its way into opened cans of dog food. Direct contact with air can change the quality and odor of dog food. 

To avoid these situations, you will have to cover your remaining dog food with a plastic lid or store it in a plastic container. Alternatively, you may store this food in different bag sizes appropriately. 

You can get a plastic pet food lid and a plastic container from a pet food shop. Make sure you keep the food in an air-tight jar, a zip lock bag, or in a sealed container.

If a plastic lid, zip lock bag, or air-tight jar is not available, you can cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator, although it is not the best way, yet better than nothing. These covers and sealed container work as odor barriers that retain moisture and avoids the direct entry of air. There is no chance of mixing up aroma from other food either. 

You can pack your remnant wet dog food in an airtight bag or plastic storage container. Seal up the bag and place it in the refrigerator. You can find customized bag sizes for storing canned dog food. Alternatively, put your wet dog food into an ice cube tray, place it in the container that has a lid, cover the lid, and place it into the refrigerator. It will help to keep the food safe.

The nutrients would decrease day by day once you open it. Canned dog food is wet and can’t be left out in the air all day the same way that you leave dry dog food out.

When you let your opened wet dog food remain at room temperature, the moisture mixes with air in warm temperatures and this causes bacteria growth. 

Once your dog finishes its food, the food will become more susceptible to bacterial growth, if not preserved. Air exposure will increase bacterial growth. So, discard the remnants and wash the dog’s bowl carefully. Any single particle of remnant food can contaminate the next batch of food. 

On the other hand, while serving food to your canine, put the food in the dog’s bowl so that he can finish on its first attempt.

If leftover food remains there after 30 minutes, this food is more susceptible to bacteria. Air exposure will increase bacteria growth. So, discard the remnants and wash the dog’s bowl carefully. Any single particle of remnant food can contaminate the partial can of food for the next meal.

Even dry dog food sits down when exposed to air for a long time. 

How to save the bowl’s wet food meal from infestation?

To avoid infestation, we recommend a little job, a very handy tip to save your dog’s food.

When you put the food in the bowl, place the bowl on a tray. Put some warm water in it. Smear vaseline on all top edges of the tray.

Initially, your dog would become habituated to this practice.

Is frozen wet dog food as nutritious as fresh dog wet food?

If you want to save your opened wet dog food can for a long period, place it in the freezer to ensure optimum storage conditions.

Keep the wet dog food in plastic containers in the refrigerator if you have already discarded the open cans. It will increase its shelf life. But remember, it will not stay as nutritious as fresh canned food in its original packaging. The aroma will be lost and many dogs dislike thawed food.

It is better to throw away the remaining food though. This is because serving the remnants is not always ideal for your dog. 

Can I buy the vast stock of dog wet food?

Well, many dog owners like to stock dogs’ dry food as well as wet food. It is okay to buy the vast stock of dog wet food if you can afford it. After you buy dog food, it’s better to keep the stock in a cool and dry place. 

Canned dog food has preservative and it can be stored for a long period.

Your dog may get bored with the same meal. You must feed some other food as well with some specific gaps.

Try some home-cooked foods that are also healthier for your canine. The food you give your dog should vary depending on its preference. 

Does the shelf life of dog wet food depend on the brand or the company?

Maybe the shelf life of some foods depends on it. But it also depends on the precautions that you undertake to store food. Follow these tips to store opened cans and make your dog’s food healthier.

The shelf life of opened cans of dog food is up to three days. But, it is best to check the expiry date or the “best before date” label. If you throw away the original bag of canned wet food, it gets harder to know the expiry date. 

Can you leave wet dog food out for a long time?

It’s not recommended to leave leftover food out for a long time. It has a high moisture content, making it more susceptible to bacterial growth if you leave wet food out for a long time. 

To keep your pup safe and healthy, it’s best not to leave wet dog food sitting out for an extended period (for instance, for six weeks).  

How Long Will Wet Dog Food Stay Good Once It’s Open?

Once you have opened canned pet food for dogs, it will typically stay good for up to four hours at room temperature. However, it’s best to refrigerate any unused portion to ensure it stays fresh and safe for your furry friend.

Don’t let wet dog food sit out for too long. This is done to prevent further contamination. 

Can Wet Dog Food Sit Out Like Kibble?

While it is alright to let dry dog food sit for hours without much concern, the same cannot be said for wet dog food. It’s important to keep a close eye on the clock as wet food can spoil faster than you might think!

So, while kibble can be left outside for a longer time, it’s best to only leave wet dog food remaining for up to four hours before it is thrown away.

Keep your pup’s meals safe and fresh by being mindful of the time and storage of their food! Check verified information resources if you are not sure of this. 

What is the maximum shelf life of wet dog food in the refrigerator?

If you store food for dogs at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in a refrigerator, it can extend its shelf life for up to five days. Once opened, canned food should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 7 days. It’s better to use plastic wrap to cover the opened can of food. 

Be sure to store open cans properly in an airtight container to prevent them from going bad! Wet dog food may be as sensitive as dry food for dogs, even though wet dog food has a higher moisture content. 

Is it OK to give my dog uneaten wet food?

You can give your dog leftover wet food if it has been refrigerated promptly in an airtight container after opening. But it’s just common sense that the nutritional value of cold food may decrease. Uneaten wet food could also go bad quickly. 

If you are unsure about the side effects of giving uneaten wet food to your dogs, contact the vet so that he can provide information resources. You could also read related articles to find out.