Does Dog Food Expire? Shelf Life & Storage Guide

Keeping our dogs healthy and well fed are among our top priorities. After doing your research on dog food and determining exactly what and how much to feed your canine companion, you might still have some questions. Does dog food go bad? Does it get stale (maybe that’s why they’ve become picky)? How can I keep it fresh? We’ve got the answers you need about dog food safety and keeping your dog excited about mealtimes.

Does dog food go bad?

The short answer? Yes. Dog food can go bad. However, the reason your pet may be losing interest in the kibble you’ve had in your cupboard for the last few months is probably more complicated.

Does dog food go stale?

As it turns out, “[kibble] dog food does not go stale, like bread goes stale,” says Dr. George Collings, Ph.D. and a board certified pet nutritionist who advises Petco on pet nutrition insights and innovations, “but it can lose flavor over time, as the aromas in the flavor coating and in the kibble itself can dissipate over time, thus reducing palatability and consumability. A good food should be well stabilized, which will help keep the nutrition and palatability meeting its potential.” So, while your typical dog food won’t lose too much of its original flavor, your pup could be wishing for a fresher serving. Make sure you’re storing your dog’s food correctly and consider boosting both the nutrient and taste factor by adding a topper to their usual meal.

Does dog food expire?

Over-the-counter dog food does have an expiration date and it’s printed right on the packaging. “Typically, dry dog foods carry an 18-month shelf life, which has been an industry standard since the 1990s,” notes Dr. Collings. “Other types of dog foods will vary in the length of the shelf life published on the package. These best-buy dates are quite a long time when compared to what you might expect from a box of cookies or other common foods you might have in your kitchen pantry.” Good pet food companies often run shelf-life studies to confirm these time frames, adds Dr. Collings, but it’s always a good policy to check the expiration date when buying your dog’s food and choosing the freshest option available. The expected shelf-life can also be reduced if not stored properly--which is away from high heat and humidity.

Closely monitor this expiration date once you’ve made your purchase, and never feed your dog expired food. “Foods can go rancid over time, which can impact fatty acid and vitamin content and can also destroy certain flavor components,” says Dr. Collings. “Rancid compounds can have physiological impacts and destroy the nutritional viability of the product.”

Of course, any homemade dog food or fresh dog food that’s not frozen will only last as long as the individual ingredients last. In the case of homemade, frozen or fresh dog food, it’s best to keep individual portions frozen and defrost only what your pet will consume within a timely window--typically 7 days for prepackaged fresh or frozen meals, while the time period may be shorter for homemade food based on the ingredients you’ve used. To help prevent spoiling, don’t leave fresh or wet dog food out and available for more than 2 hours. If your dog hasn’t eaten their meal in that time, throw away the leftovers.

If you accidentally feed your dog food slightly past its expiration date, monitor their behavior and call your veterinarian immediately if vomiting or a change of behavior occurs. If the food was way past its expiration date, call the pet poison hotline for advice.

How to store dog food

Proper storage varies depending on food type. For the most part, however, Petco has all the dog food storage options you’ll need to properly store any type of dog food. After that, follow these general guidelines:

• Dry food: Store in a cool, dry place, preferably in an airtight container, and clearly mark your dry dog food container with an expiration date.
• Wet food: When unopened, store in a cabinet or other cool, dry place. Once it’s been opened, store wet dog food in an air-tight container in the fridge for no more than 2 days.
• Fresh/frozen food: Store fresh food in the freezer or refrigerator and defrost in small batches to avoid spoilage. Always check the packaging, but once defrosted and opened, prepackaged foods should be consumed within 7 days.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect dog food for your four-legged best friend or the perfect way to safely store that food, Petco has all the products you’ll need to keep your pup safe and healthy come mealtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dog food expire if it's never been opened? Yes. Even sealed, unopened bags of dry dog food carry a "best by" date — typically 18 months from the manufacturing date — and the nutritional quality and palatability can decline after that point. Always check the date printed on the packaging before purchasing and again before feeding. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/

What happens if I feed my dog expired food? Expired dog food can go rancid, which degrades fatty acids, destroys certain vitamins and can produce compounds that have physiological effects on your dog. If you accidentally fed food slightly past its date, monitor your dog closely for vomiting, diarrhea or changes in behavior and contact your veterinarian right away. If the food was significantly expired, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for guidance. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/

How do I know if dog food has gone bad? Trust your senses. Signs that dry kibble may have spoiled include an off or sour smell, visible mold, an unusual oily or rancid odor, discoloration or the presence of insects or moisture inside the bag. For wet food, look for a broken seal, bulging can, off color or foul smell once opened. When in doubt, throw it out and consult your veterinarian if your dog has already eaten the questionable food. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-foods-feeds/pet-food

Can I store dry dog food in the original bag inside a storage container? Yes — and it's actually recommended. The original bag is lined to help preserve freshness and carries the lot number and expiration date you may need if a recall occurs. Place the entire bag inside an airtight container, store it in a cool, dry location away from heat and humidity, and write the expiration date on the outside of the container for easy reference. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-foods-feeds/pet-food

Does wet dog food expire faster than dry food? Yes. Unopened wet food stored in a cool, dry cabinet is shelf-stable until its printed date, but once opened it should be transferred to an airtight container, refrigerated and used within two days. Dry kibble, by comparison, typically carries an 18-month shelf life when stored properly. Fresh and frozen foods have the shortest windows — generally up to seven days once defrosted and opened, or less for homemade recipes depending on ingredients. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/ https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/

Does improper storage shorten a dog food's shelf life? Absolutely. Heat, humidity and exposure to air are the primary enemies of dog food freshness. Even a bag well within its "best by" date can degrade faster if stored in a warm garage, near an oven or in a damp area. Proper storage — airtight container, cool and dry location — helps ensure the food maintains its intended nutritional profile through the date on the package. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-of-small-animals https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.