Opened wet cat food: Is refrigeration a must or just a precaution?

Anytime you open a wet food I would put the open portion in the fridge. I would recommend covering the food with either a lid (you can get them at the pet store) or plastic wrap. I usually throw all wet food away on the 4th day of it being open. If they don't like the cold food, you can heat in a little bit in he microwave. Just make sure it isn't too hot. I wouldn't worry about it one time if it was in a cool spot as long as Noushmc isn't having any vomiting or diarrhea. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Food should ideally be fed at room temperature or very slightly heated - be careful heating in the microwave as the centre of the food can become much hotter than the outside and may cause burns. Placing the food bowl into a basin of hot water or heating gently over a radiator etc can help to just take the chill out of food

That’s fine. Often we feed warm food to make it more appealing. If she likes it cold and is eating well then there is no problem. Just like us many people enjoy cold food especially when it’s warm out. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Noushmc.

Hi there! Dry food isn't a concern with being left out, it's the wet food that's a problem. In the heat, that can certainly go bad quicker than it would in the summer. It's absolutely fine to put the leftover food back into the dry food container. I leave food out for my cats all the time, I use a self feeder and I haven't had any problems with the food rotting whether it's summer or winter :-)

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Wet food from an open can can be stored in a fridge for up to a week before it should be thrown out. I recommend putting some saran wrap over top of the open can (you can even secure the saran wrap with a rubber band) to keep it fresher. I hope this is helpful!

Dry commercial dog foods are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration or freezing for storage. Store any open food in a food-grade container that seals well at room temperature. Be sure to use all food before the expiration date printed on the bag.

There should be directions on the product package. Some brands must be refrigerated, and others must be stored at room temperature. If you can't find that information on the product package or the prescription label (it should be on there as well), give your vet a call to find out the proper storage instructions.