Since all of cats need to eat, it’s crucial to make sure their cat food remains healthy.
However, since most existing dry cat food comes in air-tight containers, it can easily become spoiled in warm, humid conditions. Temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal for drying cat food, but temperature ranges above this can cause it to become completely dry.
So, can dry cat food go bad in heat?
Yes, it can. If stored correctly, dry cat food can keep for several months without going bad. However, if dry cat food is exposed to temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or high humidity levels, it can spoil in as little as two weeks.
Some cats’ diets consist of only dry cat food, so it’s important to be aware of this storage issue when providing it to them. Cats’ digestive systems don’t necessarily need fluids like water to digest their foods.
However, they do need moisture to remain healthy and avoid dehydration. Therefore, cat food should be stored in containers that retain the moisture of the food and prevent it from drying out.
Can Dry Cat Food Go Bad In Heat?
In the heat, dry cat food can go bad very quickly.
It will retain its nutrients as long as it’s stored in a cool and dry place.
Dry cat food that has been exposed to temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or high humidity levels can spoil in as little as two weeks.
Dry food may be kept out for awhile if it’s kept at the right temperatures.
Typically, the longest period stored dry food can remain edible is six months to a year.
It is, however, a good idea to check expiration dates on dry food regularly to make sure that it is fully safe to eat.
Food may be spoiled if it’s been in an unsealed container for a period of time or if it’s been left exposed to temperature or humidity changes.
It is still recommended to refrigerate wet food or feed canned food to cats on a regular basis to keep them properly hydrated and to avoid exposing them to potential health hazards from food spoilage.
In terms of leaving food out overnight, it is normally not advised since it can become warm and subsequently spoil if left out for prolonged periods on a hot day.
How Can You Tell If Your Cat’s Food Is Bad?
By smelling it, you can be able to tell if your cat food is bad.
Stale, dry cat food has a pungent odor.
Mold or bugs may be found on the surface of wet food.
If your cat gets unwell or uncomfortable after consuming spoiled food, it may be an indication that your cat food is bad and should be thrown out immediately.
The Effect of Heat on Dry Cat Food
Taste Influences
If the cat dislikes the newly-opened food it’s inconsistent with their eating habits and suggests that the food is spoiled.
While dry cat food kept in heat can spoil faster than refrigerated food, it’s not recommended to keep it in temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do so, it can start to spoil even sooner.
In general, the cat’s preferences for certain foods may change over time.
This implies it will be edible, but it may seem like a strange smell to your cat.
High Temperature Burned
This is an uncommon occurrence, but it can happen if the food is stored poorly or placed incorrectly in your vehicle.
Dry cat food cannot spoil as quickly as wet food can, but it can still go bad if it’s kept at warm temperatures.
This entails putting it next the heater or in a hot car.
There is a limit to how hot your dry food can get before it becomes inedible to your cat, so it’s best not to store it in extremely high temperatures.
This will cause the meal to smell and taste unpleasant and your cat may refuse to eat it.
Dry cat food will burn if it’s left in a hot car, but wet food won’t since it might just cook instead.
This is one of the most extreme examples of temperature danger because it’s a burn that originates from the dry cat food itself.
The basis of this essay, on the other hand, is not to emphasize the nutritional benefit of wet food but instead to explain how to keep dry cat food from getting too hot.
Do not even consider placing dry cat food in the microwave to heat it up.
Warmer
This is a fundamental shift that cannot easily be reversed as your little cat grows older.
It will be warm, but it may seem like a strange smell to your cat.
Some cats are quite fussy about what they eat, and many of them will not eat food that smells weird or smells bad, even if it is actually good for them.
You don’t want a scenario where the cat is too distracted by the weird smell to enjoy its meal, so try the dry food out first without heating it and see if it smells odd.
This is why, even though dry cat food is just fine at room temperature (or in your refrigerator) and does not need to be kept cold, many stores keep their dry food in the freezer.
Does Dry Cat Food Have an Expiration Date?
Yes, dry cat food, like any other type of food that comes in a can or bag, has an expiration date.
Furthermore, the expiry date is only a reminder that you should check the ingredients before purchasing it and using it.
It should, however, be used as a guide as to when to toss the food out as different ingredients have different shelf lives.
How Long Will Dry Cat Food Keep?
Six months after the best before date or on the expiration date, whichever occurs first.
Some pet stores reduce the expiration date to just seven days from the best before date because they store it in the freezer.
Most pet parents check the ingredients on the bag or can before purchasing the food and using it.
Consider purchasing an automated cat feeder if you often worry about food being left out for a long period.
The cat feeder can be programmed for the most accurate feeding time possible and eliminated the worry of forgetting to feed your cat on time or letting the food spoil because of being away for extended periods of time.
How Long Does Dry Cat Food Last After It’s Been Opened?
Once opened, dry cat and dog food can last for ten to 15 days in the refrigerator; however, it is highly recommended that you keep it refrigerated after opening.
To keep your cat’s dry food fresh, keep the air out and store it in an airtight container or container with a tight-fitting lid.
When exposed to high temperatures, dry cat and dog food spoils rapidly so the refrigerator is the ideal place to store it.
It may also result in the production of toxic ammonia that will affect your cat’s health to its fullest extent.
After each meal, keep dry cat food in a sealed container and keep it in the refrigerator to further extend the shelf life and freshness of the food.
After purchasing dry cat food, it is highly recommended that you place it in an airtight container or container with a tight-fitting lid immediately to prolong the shelf life of the food.
Check for rips or damage on the package before you purchase dry cat food and make sure that you purchase the right type of food for your cat to maintain the freshness of the food.
How Long Does Unopened Dry Cat Food Last?
An unopened dry cat food bag can last for three to five years under optimum conditions whilst a opened, unused bag of dry cat food can last for a month.
When combined with wet cat food, dry cat food not kept in the refrigerator is often exposed to air which quickly destroys the nutrients in the food and greatly reduces its nutritional value.
However, the quality and freshness of dry cat food depends on several factors such as how it is stored as well as the type of food it is and the manufacturer’s process.
Bacteria or parasite infestations are probable and must be removed promptly and safely from the food in order to prevent your cat from ingesting the pathogens found in the food which can potentially lead to food poisoning and disease.
These dry products may spoil even though they do not look or smell bad.
Food irradiation is common, which eliminates pathogens in the food by exposing it to gamma rays.
Keep dry food in a dry atmosphere at optimal storage conditions.
The regular deterioration or spoilage of dry pet food is not as noticeable as with wet pet foods, as these products spoil gradually instead of deteriorating suddenly and quickly.
Also See: Can Cats Eat Wheat Thins?
Conclusion
With this information in mind, it’s clear that it’s important to store cat food properly to keep it from spoiling in hot temperatures.
Many people don’t realize that dry cat food can spoil in as little as two weeks if exposed to high temperatures or high humidity levels.
However, if stored properly in air-tight containers and kept in a cool environment, dry cat food can last for several months without becoming spoiled.
Keep an eye out for them, and stay safe for your cat.
