10 More Fresh Pet Food Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Gamma2's TRAVEL-tainer
Perfect for Pets on the Go

I promised to share more of the fresh food tips from our recent Event Barkers #Gamma2Fresh Twitter Party. Here they are at long last. Before I launch, let me pass along a tip on where you can pick up the TRAVEL-tainer in the image above. I just located them locally at Home Goods so you can pick one up for your Summer getaways easily. Enjoy these tips, and be sure to check out our first installment of helpful hints here.

• Even the best, most-expensive pet food is a health hazard when infested with bugs. Choose airtight #Vittles Vault storage for complete pest resistance.
• Only purchase enough food for up to 6 weeks of use to assure freshness
• “Use By” or “Best Used by” dates apply ONLY to sealed bags.
• Artificial preservatives give food a longer shelf life but often include harmful chemicals that outweigh the benefits. Choose natural preservatives like Tocopherols (various forms of vitamin E) and Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C).
• Fats and oils in pet food are extremely susceptible to oxidation, caused by regular access to oxygen. We recommend an airtight container to limit this problem.
• Oxidation reduces nutritional value of food and causes the taste to be less appealing.
• Mold is highly toxic to dogs. If your pup eats moldy food, get him to a vet pronto for treatment.
• When purchasing pet food, check bags carefully for tears and splits. Do not buy a bag that has been torn and is retaped. Pests, mold, and moisture may have set in that will make your pet sick.
• Don’t forget to completely tighten screw on lids to totally seal out air and pests.
• Discard food with changes in color, consistency, or odor. Thoroughly wash and dry the container before refilling. 

Following these 10 tips plus the 10 included in our earlier post will help you keep your pet food fresh and pest-free. These tips and a Gamma2 container are sure to save you money on spoiled food, as well. You can also purchase airtight containers made by Gamma2  Amazon (pick your size and shape) at this link, to make certain you'll be feeding your pet the safest, most tasty food.