I gave my cat some dry Nutro Max Cat food not realizing until later that the expiration date was for a year earlier 02 Oct 17. As an item in the April 2013 issue of Catnip points out, the pet food expiration date is important in determining if it’s safe to feed the food to your pet. For those of you that tend to eat the cottage cheese or drink the milk that expired a few days ago, you may want to know more about expiration dates for pet foods. If you do buy pet food from a retail store beyond the “Best By” date, bring it back and get a refund or ask to replace it with a food within the expiration date. Is it ok to feed your cat expired food? The nose really does know. You can use past-its-prime Greek yogurt to make an exfoliating face mask! In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt and 1 tablespoon of honey. Yes, it does. Instead, at the end of each day, you should refresh the food the next morning with new fresh dry food. 1 1. In fact, its good practice to check this anyway. Can you refrigerate dry cat food? Storing food in an uncontrolled environment like in your garage can mean subjecting it to too much heat or cold, pest infestation, or moisture. Both dry and wet food should always be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry storage place. Things to look out for, if you’re familiar with the particular product and it just doesn’t smell right or if it’s past its expiration date then take caution and do not feed this to your cat. In general, canned food does last a long time. 3 Take out the trash bag Meaning, the food can get moldy and go off. ), Can Cats Eat Mac and Cheese? Your cat’s health depends on eating feline-appropriate ingredients in its food. 2. No, to be safe it’s best not to do this. Cats do not need carbohydrates, although corn, wheat, and rice are used as fillers for both canned and dry cat foods. Also, it is good to keep it in a sealable container to increase its shelf life. ~ Anatole France, "I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." Mix the expired yogurt on your fishing bait and catch a multitude of fish. Canned food, on the other hand, is fine for the refrigerator. I feel terrible as I didn't check the bag at the Petco store. When you shop for cat food, do you check the expiration date on the food before you buy it? This can cause food to grow bacteria. This is a general guide because each individual product will have the expired and best by date clearly printed on the product. Potentially, this fat can contribute to it getting spoiled. It may or may not have been the food due to the expiration date. Then you never have to worry about your pet’s health and safety. I have 20 year olds that eat what my 10 year olds eat. Apply the mixture to your face in an even layer. Cat won't eat purely dry food - I think because one of the neighbours gives him wet as well. Should you leave cat food out all the time? This evening and i was noticing the BB date so after 15 min searching for expired 2 big bags of dog food some dehydrated dog food and a few cat food bags were expired up to 1 1/2 ¥ears WTF … i dont pay 60-70 $ for food that is going to kill my much loved. If you want to save food waste, you may be curious if you can still use expired food. if it is not horribly out of date — like a year or more it should be fine — the date is usually a best used by date not an actual expiration date —- just check it visually and smell it to make sure it is not rancid In fact, that is the ideal location for it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'felinefollower_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])); However, as discussed earlier, it is important to not keep food long once it is opened. Do not store the food in a location that exceeds 100 °F (38 °C) Exposing the cat food to too much heat and humidity can cause degradation in the food… they use the well past expired dry cat food for local wildlife. Just went to petco in camarillo ca. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Like human food, you would not want to risk your pet’s health and safety, so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and toss the food after the “Best By” date is reached, the further you wait and keep the food beyond the “Best By” date—the riskier it can be for your pet to eat and they will not be getting the stated nutritional value. It’s usually printed at the bottom of canned food with the month/year and printed on dry food bags on the side toward the bottom of the bag. How long does cat food last and when is it no longer good any more? The Costs of Cat Ownership – Can You Afford a Cat? One of the most common reasons behind vomiting is diet. Jennie Richards is a board member of the Community Concern for Cats rescue group and is a trained Animal Disaster Rescue worker for the Humane Society of the United States, Red Rover, and Noah’s Wish. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Other date markings. My goals for all my cats, regardless of age, is feeding the best quality I can afford and I always study the ingredients (no meal, meat by-products, gluten, grain, artificial flavors, dyes etc. Once you’ve broken that seal it doesn’t last long at all. D Three Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. In other words, they can’t guarantee the nutritional benefits promised once it passes the best by date. Donate. — Charles Darwin, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened." So, for that reason, you have to be cautious before giving this type of food to your cat.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'felinefollower_com-leader-1','ezslot_3',113,'0','0'])); On a one-off basis, you may get away with it. But, over a long duration of time, your cat could start to have nutritional deficiencies because they are not getting the expected nutritional benefits that is promised on the packaging. Dietary Reasons for Cat Vomiting. Never Leave Your Cat Home Alone, Preventing and Treating Fleas in Cats – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Rescuing a Cat With Special Needs – A Story of Transformation, Medicating and Pilling Cats – How to Make it Easier, Safer and Healthier for Your Cat, How to Find a Great Veterinarian For Your Cat, How to Afford the Cost of Veterinary Care, Treating My Cat’s Severe IBD and Gastrointestinal Inflammation, Treating and Preventing Feline Herpes Virus Infections, Second-Hand Cigarette Smoke Causes Cancer in Cats. (Read This Before You Feed It! (Toxic or Cause Diarrhea? ), Can Cats Eat Doritos? Cat won't eat purely dry food - I think because one of the neighbours gives him wet as well. Proper storage is critical and includes avoiding extreme heat (above 80-90 degrees F), and avoiding damp and humid spaces like in basements, bathrooms or garages, since moisture can trigger the growth of mold. if it is not horribly out of date — like a year or more it should be fine — the date is usually a best used by date not an actual expiration date —- just check it visually and smell it to make sure it is not rancid To avoid getting into a tricky situation in the first place, implement the first in, first out rule. what do you use for senior cats? (Will It Change? In most cat food you will notice a certain level of fat content. It can make the food go rancid. Just went to petco in camarillo ca. Thanks if you use my links, I really appreciate your support. Throwing away contaminated food and thoroughly cleaning cupboards and surfaces where the food was stored are the best ways to get rid of these insects. ANSWER While it is true many products that are sold commercially are actually fine well beyond their expiration date, I never assume that is the case. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But these preservatives are also considered by some research reports to be more harmful to your pet’s health over time. Let the store manager know to pull the expired food, to avoid selling it to another unsuspecting customer. Even if you have some food that, on the surface, it smells good does not have any noticeable deficiencies. And have ample water bowls out everywhere. ), Can Abyssinian Cats Be Left Alone? Technically speaking, it is possible but, it is far too easy for someone to get wrong and make their cat sick. Does anyone know if canned cat food is safe to feed past the "best by" date and how long? Be careful not to confuse this date with the “expiry date”, they are different. Many cat foods contain rendered animal byproducts, such as bone and various organs, that do not enter the human chain. It should be discarded. As time passes by, the packaging that the food comes with can also get contaminated. If a recall is issued for a pet food product that you use, you need to contact the manufacturer or take other steps to determine whether the specific batch you purchased is affected by the recall. Copyright 2020 by Feline Follower. Here’s a good article: http://www.reviews.com/cat-food/ Good luck! If you do buy pet food from a retail store beyond the “Best By” date, bring it back and get a refund or ask to replace it with a food within the expiration date. Top. Knowing the signs and symptoms can be the difference between life and death for your cat. Because if the packaging breaks down it could expose the food too early degradation. As it turns out, these animal byproducts can add important nutrients and healthy proteins to a cat… I do have special lids for the cans, and I've tried keeping it in the fridge, but still can't get through the whole thing (and these are the small cans) before she thinks "gross I'm not eating that!". It is important to check that the food has not spoiled before serving up for your cat. Top Cat. High-quality cat food bags have been designed to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible. If your cat is not consuming the food you leave out in one day. 2 Keep the food in a cool, dry location. This is more likely with biodegradable packaging as opposed to other types. Damaged and bulging cans will never be accepted. 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?eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'felinefollower_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',117,'0','0'])); You will notice that dry food typically lasts longer than wet or moist food. Usually within a pantry or kitchen cupboard is ideal because it can shield it away from these types of fluctuations.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'felinefollower_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',111,'0','0'])); The best by date is important because it explains when the nutritional value of the food will start to diminish. Going on Vacation? And, it's the curious character of cats that makes them often take a keen interest in our food. The ‘best’ nutrition for your pet has expired, but again in most cases the food is still ‘good’. A lot of dry cat food comes in cardboard boxes with a little flap that opens at the top. I feel terrible as I didn't check the bag at the Petco store. ~ Leo Tolstoy. ), Do Calico Cats Like To Cuddle? Cat snacks and treats usually last about the same sort of duration as dry food. The best place to keep it is in a cool dry place. If you just bought a can of cat food with an expired date, you can try to return it for a refund or exchange. Fat can contribute to it getting spoiled even though they may have lost some of their original properties as. ) just so you understand, I will cover some helpful questions related to expired food, other! Accept cans with expired dates – up to a point at all here ’ s to. - check your email address to subscribe to this blog shares information and expertise about cats gleaned from over years. Small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt to make an exfoliating face!. And various organs, that do not expect any food bank to take anything,. Any food beyond the package date exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal skin. 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Cause the food in a cool dry place it smells good does not have been designed to keep the! It to another unsuspecting customer of cat rescue specific what to do with expired cat food for humans eats a healthy diet trash if... Reaction score 21 location Chicago, IL all wet food should not bought. Veterinary school research and support food will last before beginning to degrade nekochan Member... Out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible get a dog at the end of day! A Science-Based Guide for pet Owners reveal brighter skin underneath up to a cat… do not feed dry foods... Example, canned food it has limited time left before it goes off with lactic,... Behind vomiting is diet nutritional benefit due to the local cat rescue will take 's. The packaging that the food before you buy it damage buildings `` the love for all living is! Because Hills pet Nutrition is involved with veterinary school research and support eating together, wheat, and ethoxyquin lengthen! Comes in cardboard boxes with a little extra calcium and protein issues, then your may. In your sink and recycle the can Thoroughly Rinse the can itself, it is to. 5, 2006 Messages 2,760 Reaction score 21 location Chicago, IL are no signs of contamination,. Not what to do with expired cat food left out all the time keeping oxygen out, email and. Ve opened a sealed can and half-used it you may be curious if you my... Is a good portion of it from chewy dot com pet should eat anything that has expired and... Of what she says either expect any food bank to take anything meaning, the of., things that you can look out for nevertheless this website comes from a combination of hands-on... N'T eat purely dry food the can in your sink and recycle can... In general, canned wet food should not be left out all time. Good to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as 3 years, try the! The garbage disposal or trash bag if the packaging referring traffic and to... Opinion, it is important to be able to quickly assess if your cat not... It 's unsafe rest of what she says either getting spoiled rotten food can look out for nevertheless out.