Canned cat food is a convenient and tasty way to feed your pet. While it may seem like a no-brainer that canned cat food should be refrigerated, the truth is that it doesn’t necessarily need to be. It all depends on the type of canned cat food you’re feeding your pet.
Canned Food with Preservatives
Most types of canned cat food are made with preservatives, such as vitamins and minerals, that help keep the food shelf-stable. This means that you don’t need to refrigerate it in order for it to remain safe for your pet to eat. However, if you’re feeding your pet a premium brand of canned food, it may not contain any preservatives and should be refrigerated in order to maintain its freshness and nutritional value.
Wet Food Without Preservatives
There are also some types of wet cat food that don’t contain any preservatives. These foods are usually made from fresh ingredients and must be kept cold in order to prevent spoilage. If you’re feeding your pet one of these types of wet foods, it’s important to keep it refrigerated at all times in order to ensure its safety and nutritional value.
Opened Cans
Another factor to consider is whether or not the canned cat food has been opened yet. If the can has been opened, then the contents inside will no longer be protected by preservatives and should be kept cold in order to remain safe for consumption. Generally speaking, any opened cans of cat food should be consumed within two days or transferred into an airtight container before being placed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, does canned cat food need refrigeration? It depends on the type of canned cat food you’re feeding your pet as well as whether or not the can has been opened yet. Generally speaking, most types of canned cat food that contain preservatives don’t need to be refrigerated whereas those without preservatives should always be stored cold in order to maintain their freshness and nutritional value.