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How long can I keep dry dog food fresh once the bag is opened?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | spayed | 5 years and 10 months old | 17 lbs

I've read that dry dog food can last up to a year once opened, but I've also read that it should be used within 4-6 weeks after opening. I contacted the company that I buy my food from and they said that the food will be fresh for 18 months after opening. The company where I buy my food is Fromm. I'm confused because I seem to have several different opinions. Which one is correct? Thanks!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 23rd, 2018

The dog food may be "fresh" and palatable, but it will have lost some aroma and definitely a lot of the vitamins. Usually Vitamins stay actively working for about 6 months, so if you have a bag that has been opened for longer than 6 months the quality of the food is less than when it was originally opened. You can feed the food, but realize, that its nutritional value may be lower than when the bag was opened. If the manufacturer tells you that after 18 months the food was as good as when it originally was opened, you want to see the respective research proving that. In my professional opinion: the faster you use up the food after opening, the better.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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