Is it OK to feed dogs expired dry dog food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How Long is Dog Food Good After Expiration Date?

Reading Time: 7 minutes

With several companies issuing recalls regarding dog and cat food lately, it is no longer surprising to see plenty of pet owners, who are concerned about the quality and safety of the foods they serve to their beloved pets. Furthermore, the safety of serving pet foods after they have exceeded the indicated best by, best before, or expiration date is still undergoing constant discussions.

It should be noted, in the US, pet foods do not need to put expiration or best before dates in the labels on their packaging. However, many pet food companies do so as a means of informing stores and consumers about the specific length of time when they can guarantee the quality of their products based on what they advertise.

Also, note that different factors, such as the strength of packaging and degradation, have a major impact on the length of time the dry and wet foods for pets can exceed the recommended dates indicated in the packagings label. So how long is dog food good after expiration date? Find out through this article.

Understanding the Shelf Life and Expiration Date of Dog Foods

All foods designed for dogs, whether they are dry kibble or the canned dog food variety, come with a best before or expiration date. Like foods designed for human consumption, such info can give you knowledge of the products longevity. In dog foods, you can see the date somewhere on the bag or can. It could be at the back or the side. It should be noted, though, the date indicated does not necessarily mean the dog food is officially expired and is no longer safe for consumption.

What it means is that the food can no longer offer the quality and nutrition indicated in its guaranteed analysis. In other words, the highest level of nutrition the product can provide to your dog is the one before it is officially expired. As for the food, you can still expect it to be good, just not the same quality the manufacturer initially advertised.

As for the shelf life and expiration date of a specific dog food, take note that it varies significantly from one manufacturer to another. Dry dog foods, for instance, can be expected to have a shelf life that ranges from 4 months to three years. The pouched or canned varieties, on the other hand, have a shelf life of around 1-5 years. As for dog treats, they usually have a similar shelf life as to the dry food products offered by the same manufacturer.

The best before or expiration date indicated on the dog food is not an indication of the actual age of the product, though. You cant consider it as the manufacturing date of the food. In fact, you cant tell the foods manufacturing date just by checking its expiration. It only gives you an idea of the exact date the manufacturer determined as the time when the food can no longer supply your pet with proper nutrition.

There are still ingredients used in the product that can offer enough nutrition even after the best before or expiration date, but the nutrition value of other added ingredients has faded. With that in mind, it is necessary to check the expiration date of the dog food prior to buying it. Make it a point to use it within that period, too, especially if you want the best nutrition for your beloved dog.

When studying the shelf life and expiration dates of dog foods, take note that the preservatives used in them, if there are any, have an impact on it. Natural preservatives, like Vitamin E, tend to break down faster when you compare it to artificial preservatives. That said, it is not surprising to see the shelf life of dog foods with natural preservatives to be a few months shorter compared to those containing artificial ones.

If you want to go all-natural, consider buying those with natural preservatives but go for the smaller packages. This is to ensure you can use the product without exceeding the shelf life, thereby allowing you to give your pet only the best.

Is it Still Safe for Dogs to Eat Expired Dog Foods?

Basically, dog foods that are past their prime are safe to eat. Thats particularly true for those foods stored in airtight containers. However, feeding your dog with such expired foods is not always recommended. It should be noted that dog food undergoes a unique and different process of manufacturing. It is often treated for effectiveness and longevity. Also, several ingredients are used and integrated into a nutrient-dense formula as a means of ensuring your dog can survive on it.

Manufacturers also incorporate preservatives into dog foods as a means of preventing the development of mold and bacteria. The problem is that such ingredients also have the tendency to degrade over time. The food is also prone to changes, once it starts to age. While the changes are often invisible, your dog will still begin to feel the changes and their effects, depending on the actual age of the food.

So how long is dog food really good after expiration date? In most cases, you can expect such food to be safe for dogs general consumption a few months beyond its expiration date. The effect is different from humans, who will most likely not touch expired food, even if it is just a day past its expiration date, because dogs are known to have better tolerance than humans as far as digestion and food are concerned. However, prior to feeding the expired food to your dog, make sure to check it thoroughly for bacteria and mold.

Note that mold tends to grow on the upper layer of the food, while producing a foul smell that a dog cant seem to handle and tolerate. However, if you notice the food does not have the mentioned issues, then you can let him enjoy the food even after it expires. Again, it is safe for consumption within a few months past its expiration date but make sure to check it for mold and bacteria growth.

Common Problems with Dog Foods Past their Expiration Dates

Dog foods tend to undergo a lot of changes, once they age. Such changes can have an impact on your dog, especially in terms of his health and level of energy. With that in mind, it is crucial for you to be aware of the common problems associated with expired dog foods aside from checking them for mold and bacteria. By knowing these problems, you can decide whether you should feed the food to your dog, even when it expires.

(1) Low Nutrition Value

A dog foods shelf life refers to the time wherein the manufacturer can guarantee the highest nutrition value of the product based on what it advertises on the label containing its nutrition facts. Such varies significantly based on the kind of food (dry or wet) and the brand. If there is an old bag or can of dog food, note that it does not instantly mean it has gone bad or has lost its nutrition value.

However, avoid relying too much on those dog foods that are over three months of their expiration date. Note that, even if the dog food is still not open, does not show signs of contamination or spoilage, or does not produce a foul smell, there is still a tendency for it to have diminished its nutritional value because the essential fats and preservatives break down naturally.

That said, ensure its not over three months past the expiration date prior to feeding it to your dog. This will ensure you wont feed him something that might trigger deficiencies in his diet, resulting in chronic health risks.

(2) Contamination

The packaging used in dog foods is mainly designed to fight contamination. However, there are also certain types of packaging that are more prone to contamination than the others. For instance, a permeable package might expose foods to insects, other pests, or moisture. There is an even higher chance for that problem to happen as the product ages.

Thats the main reason you have to check the dog food for mold, pests, and any other contaminants, especially if it has expired, prior to feeding it to your dog. This will ensure the dog wont get sick from the food. Also, note that it is possible for the food to be contaminated, even if it is not yet expired, so it is still important to check it for signs of contamination from time to time. Some signs are discoloration and foul smell.

(3) Spoiled Fat

Note that fat is a vital component of any dog food. The problem is it is also one of the first components of the food that might go sour. Fat can provide energy and improve the flavor of food. If it goes rancid, then you can tell by the noticeable strong, foul smell it tends to make. You really have to check the food thoroughly for the mentioned issue, since dogs are immune to such foul smell.

That said, he wont be able to detect it, making him eat the food, regardless if it is bad. It can also result in digestion issues. Once the dog food is beyond its expiration date, it is your responsibility to assess and check it thoroughly and figure out if the fat has gone rancid. If it does, then dispose of it right away, instead of feeding it to your dog.

(4) Mold Growth

There is a great chance for mold and bacteria to form and grow in the dog food if the preservatives utilized in keeping it fresh start to degrade. Once the products expire, it is also possible for the preservatives to reach that point where they can no longer perform their primary purpose.

Mold growth may even accelerate if you keep the food in a moist and hot area. Such environment might cause the constant formation of mold spores. The problem with mold is it has a negative impact on the health of your dog. Thats why you have to check whether an expired food has mold before deciding to feed it to your dog.

If any of the issues mentioned above are apparent in an expired dog food, then avoid feeding it to your dog, even if it has been said that dog foods are generally safe after a few months of their expiration date. You should check the expired issue for the mentioned problems as such might lead to various health risk, minor and serious.

One problem your dog might face is in his indigestion, which often happens due to the spoiled ingredients. It might result in indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. Theres also a risk for your dog to deal with malnutrition, especially once the food loses it nutritional value due to deterioration. Among the signs that he is malnourished are sudden weight loss, low energy levels, and lethargy.

Theres also a risk for contaminated foods to trigger chronic foodborne illnesses, like botulism, E. coli, and salmonella. Ingesting a contaminated dog food will cause the bacteria to spread through your dogs bloodstream, causing some health issues, and in worse cases, death.

Conclusion

Knowing exactly how long is dog food good after expiration date can help you keep your dog safe by ensuring you feed him foods that are safe and of top-notch quality. If you decide to feed him the expired food, considering it is generally safe, make it a point to check it for issues first. That way, you can prevent him from experiencing various health risks caused by expired foods with issues.

Does Dog Food Expire? 4 Tips to tell if dog food has gone bad!

Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Dogs Vets

Does Dog Food Expire?

Processed dog foods are convenient options for most pet parents. However, even though they have been preserved to stay long, they still come with an expiration date. While some food labels contain best by dates, others have expiration dates to indicate their longevity.

And you might be wondering: is there a difference between best by and expiration date? Lets read more about that in this article.

Best by vs expiration dates?

As a responsible dog parent, you always check the best by or expiration date before buying your dog food, right? You might think the two terms mean the same.

Wrong! Expiration dates and best-by dates mean two separate things.

Of course, both indicate the shelf life of a product. But usually, a best by date is used to indicate when a particular food item is no longer in optimum condition for consumption.

This doesnt mean the food is totally bad. It simply means that after that date, the food will begin to lose its essential qualities such as taste and nutritional value.

On the other hand, the expiration date represents the foods last date of safe consumption.

After this date, it is expected that the dog food should be discarded.

How to store dog food

Most dry dog foods come with instructions to store in a cool and dry place. Warm temperatures can make the food moist and cause it to deteriorate. Likewise, you can store canned foods in a cool, dry place.

If you buy dog food in bulk, consider distributing them in storage bags made of high-quality dog treat packaging material.

However, if there is any leftover canned food, keep it in a refrigerator; otherwise, throw it away.

Unfortunately, it might be impossible to store kibble in its original packaging properly. Kibble can be stored in a container without taking it out of its bag.

You can also store kibble in a refrigerator.

Recently, frozen foods for dogs started to be on the rise, and that a very good alternative to store while and their nutritional values, without neglecting the taste.

How to tell if dog food has gone bad

Remember to always check the expiration date of the dog food before buying. Once it has passed the expiration date, it is no longer safe for consumption!

But it is possible for your dog food to go bad before its expiration date and here are some signs that your dog food has gone bad.

Weird smell

Every brand has a unique smell for its products. So, if your dogs food smells strange, its probably gone bad.

Obvious mold growth

Of course, mold growth signifies that the food is moist and unfit for consumption. Discard the whole bag or can if you notice any mold in it.

Changes in texture, color, or shape

Kibble is typically brown, but once it starts to turn green or black, it is no longer edible.

Signs of bugs

Never feed food that contains bugs or other insects to your pet. Even when the bugs are dead, its safer to dispose of them than feed them to your pet.

Is it still safe for dogs to eat expired dog food?

No, it is not safe for dogs to eat expired food. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. So, people feed their dogs foods that have passed their expiration dates by a few days or weeks.

This is unhealthy! You can still provide your dog food when its a few days past its best before date. However, your dog shouldnt eat any expired food! Why?

Dog food that is expired loses its nutrients. So, if you feed your pet such food, it might begin to suffer from malnutrition. Besides, dog food that has expired begins to spoil since its preservative value has decreased.

Spoilt food contains toxins such as mycotoxin and aflatoxin that can make your pet sick. It doesnt matter if the food still looks or smells good.

Dispose of any dog food that has passed its expiration date. If you notice the food growing mold even when it hasnt passed its expiration or best by date, dispose of it immediately.

But what about the best by date? The best thing to do is: As soon as food has passed its best-by date, let your dog eat it within a week. After a week, discard any leftovers.

In short

Never feed your dog expired food. Always check the expiration or best before dates before picking them up from the store. It is better to buy food that is close to its manufacturing date. And if you notice any signs that the food is bad after opening it, discard it immediately.

Questions People Ask (FAQs)

How long can you store dry dog food in the refrigerator?

Generally speaking, dry dog food that has not been opened is good for up to 18 months, whereas wet canned food is good for up to two years from the date of purchase. Of course, once a food item is opened, its shelf life decreases from months to weeks or even days as a result (depending on whether it is wet or dry).

How can you tell if your dogs food has gone bad?

An overpowering sour or rotten odor can be detected.

It appears like there are moisture, mold, or pests in the area.
The bag has reached the end of its shelf life.
The meal has been subjected to high temperatures or high humidity.
Your dog refuses to eat, or he displays signs of illness or pain following a meal.

What happens if my dog consumes dog food that is expired?

If your dog accidentally consumes damaged or outdated dog food, you may notice signs of general gastrointestinal irritation such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Secondly, on the other hand, Your dog could become critically ill, depending on the pathogen. If bacteria such as E. coli are left untreated, they can cause a life-threatening infection.

How long does an open bag of dry dog food last?

How long does a bag of kibble that has been opened last? A typical dry kibble product will have a shelf life of around a year when stored properly.

However, after you open the bag, you only have about 2 weeks to complete it before the oils in the kibble meal begin to become rancid and ruin the food. Oils turn rancid when they are exposed to oxygen, a process known as oxidation.

How long does dry dog food stay fresh if it hasnt been opened?

12-18 months is a reasonable period of time.

Pet food producers provide expiration or best by dates in order to ensure the safety of your dogs food supply. The shelf life of unopened dry pet meals ranges between 12 and 18 months, whereas the shelf life of unopened canned pet foods ranges between 2 and 3 years from the date of manufacturing.

Is it okay to store dry dog food in the refrigerator?

It is possible to store canned dog food in the refrigerator for up to two days after it has been opened. All that is necessary is to use a plastic can lid (which many veterinary clinics provide) or a tightly fitting aluminum foil temporary lid to prevent the food from drying out.