How to Store Pet Food Safely in Austin’s Summer Heat
Austin summers are hard on more than people and pets. Prolonged heat can also affect the food you carefully selected for your dog or cat.
A bag left in the garage, canned food stored on a hot porch or frozen food sitting outside after delivery can lose quality or become unsafe. Fortunately, protecting your pet’s food does not require a complicated storage system. A few good habits can preserve freshness, nutritional quality and traceability.
Heat and Moisture Can Damage Dry Food
The FDA recommends keeping dry pet food in a cool, dry location below 80°F. That makes many Austin garages, sheds, vehicles and uncovered patios unsuitable for long-term storage during the summer.
Excessive heat can contribute to nutrient breakdown and speed the deterioration of fats. Moisture can encourage mold growth and cause kibble to clump or develop an unusual texture. Once a bag is opened, exposure to air also gradually reduces freshness.
Store dry food inside your air-conditioned home, away from direct sunlight, appliances that generate heat and humid areas such as laundry rooms. Keep the food in its original bag and fold or clip the top securely after each use.
The original packaging is important. It provides a food-grade barrier designed for that product and preserves the lot number, best-by date and manufacturer information you may need if there is a recall or quality concern.
Handle Canned and Fresh Food Differently
Unopened cans and pouches should also be kept in a cool, dry place rather than a hot garage or vehicle. Do not use packaging that is swollen, leaking, deeply dented or otherwise damaged.
After opening canned or pouched food, refrigerate the unused portion promptly in a covered food-safe vessel and keep the refrigerator at 40°F or colder. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how quickly the food should be used.
Gently cooked and other refrigerated foods should remain cold from purchase through feeding. Return unused portions to the refrigerator promptly, and never rely on appearance or smell alone to determine whether food left out too long is safe.
Protect the Frozen-Food Cold Chain
Frozen food should remain frozen until you are ready to thaw it according to the manufacturer’s directions. Shop for frozen items near the end of an errand, carry them home promptly and transfer them directly to the freezer.
If you order frozen food for local delivery, arrange for someone to receive it. Paws on Chicon delivers frozen products, but Austin’s outdoor temperatures make it especially important that the package not remain unattended. If you won't be home to receive a frozen delivery promptly, leave a marked cooler on your doorstep so there's a safe place to leave it temporarily. Or, better yet, just come into to one of our locations and pick up your frozen items in-person during the hottest months of the year. Your pet's safety is worth the trip!
Keep Labels and Watch for Changes
Before opening a package, check its best-by date and condition. After opening it, watch for an unexpected odor, discoloration, mold, insects, excess oiliness or a change in texture. Stop feeding the product if something appears wrong.
Keep the package and receipt while the food is in use. If you suspect a problem, record the brand, formula, package size, lot code and best-by date. Those details help the retailer, manufacturer or regulator investigate.
Buy an Amount Your Pet Can Finish Fresh
A larger bag is not always a better value if it remains open long enough to become stale. Choose a package size your pet can finish comfortably while the food is still fresh, following any after-opening guidance provided by the manufacturer.
Wash food bowls and dedicated scoops with soap and hot water after use. Never pour a new bag of food onto remnants from an older one.
At Paws on Chicon, we can help you compare feeding formats, select an appropriate package size and understand the storage directions on a product’s label. Visit us at Chicon, South Congress or Easton Park for practical nutrition guidance tailored to your pet and household.