Author: Susan Thixton
A recent article posted on The Consumerist website provides a very
good lesson that every pet owner should take notice of. The article
explains the story of a pet owner who unknowingly purchased expired pet
food from PetCo (3 years expired!) and her dog became very ill.
What happened to this pet owner can very easily happen to anyone - any
where. How many times do you look at the expiration date on the foods
and treats you purchase for your pet?
With pet foods and treats, usually on the side or back of the bag or
can, you will find a 'Best by' date stamped on the product. Most pet
food manufacturers that I have spoken with tell me that this date does
NOT mean the pet food will expire - it means that the most optimal
nutrition of the food or treat has expired.
Shelf life is one of the questions I ask manufacturers about and
provide in Petsumer Report. It varies greatly from manufacturer to
manufacturer. The shelf life of dry pet foods can vary from 4 months to
3 years - canned and/or pouched products vary from 1 year to 5 years.
Treats usually have the same shelf life as the manufacturer's dry food
- but just to keep things confusing, that can vary too. The 'Best By'
date provided on the food - does NOT tell you how old the product is -
it does NOT tell you when the food was manufactured. It only tells you
the date that particular manufacturer has determined the food no longer
provides the pet with the proper nutrition. While some ingredients in
the food might still provide adequate nutrition - other ingredients
have faded over time.
Pet foods that are naturally preserved begin to lose nutritional value
almost immediately. A drawback - but the ONLY drawback to a naturally
preserved pet food. The challenge is to purchase a dog food or cat food
(and treats) that are very fresh. Pet food manufacturers are not
required to put the date the dog food or cat food was made on the
label. Again, only the date that particular pet food manufacturer has
determined the food is no longer 'best'.
So here's what you can do to assure your pet is eating ONLY fresh food
- providing the best that product offersCall the manufacturer and ask
them what the shelf life is for their dry foods and/or canned foods.
Let's say ABC Pet Food Company tells you that the shelf life of their
Premium ABC dry foods is 18 months and their Premium ABC canned/pouched
foods is 2 years. With that information - you then look at the 'Best
By' date on the product. As an example, if the best by date on the dry
dog food you are considering says June 2008 - knowing that ABC told you
18 months for dry food, you would know that the food was made in
January of 2007. Using today's date - February 20, 2008 - this would
tell you this particular bag of ABC dry dog food is 14 months old.
With a canned pet food, the 'Best by' date is also June 2008. This
information tells you the pet food was made in June 2006 (Shelf life 2
years minus from June 2008 equals June 2006). Thus the canned product
would be 18 months old in February 2008.
Using my above example, I would not purchase a pet food that is already
that old. Ideally, a dry pet food should be less than four months
old when you purchase it - and you should use the food within two
months. Again, with a naturally preserved pet food, the nutritional
value begins to deteriorate quickly. The fresher the food - the better.
Try to purchase and use the food within six months of manufacturing.
Store your pet's food in a air tight container, in a dark, cool pantry.
With canned pet foods, the quality of nutrition is protected by the
canning process. Any unused portion of the can must be covered, stored
in the refrigerator, and used within a couple of days.
Call your pet food's manufacturer and ask them the shelf life of dry
foods and canned foods. I know it's a chore, just one more thing you
have to do and look out for - but it is very important. You want what
you pay for - quality nutrition for your pet - and a fresh product will
provide that (of course you have to pay attention to ingredients too -
but that is a whole different subject!). Get yourself into the habit of
looking at the 'Best By' date BEFORE you purchase the pet food and or
treat. Your effort will not only provide your pet with better nutrition
- getting yourself into the habit of looking at the expiration date
could just save you from an experience similar to the pet owner
mentioned in the beginning of this article - and a sick pet.
About the Author:
Before
you purchase another bag or can of pet food, read more of Susan's
secrets to healthy pet foods. Also, register for the Truth About Pet
Food free newsletter. shelf life, pet food, dog food, cat food
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