How Long Can Canned Cat Food Sit in Heat?

When it comes to feeding your cat, there are many options available. Canned cat food is one of the most popular choices because it is convenient, reasonably priced and provides high-quality nutrition for your pet. However, it’s important to know how long canned cat food can sit in the heat before it goes bad.

Canned cat food does not have an indefinite shelf life. It is perishable and has a limited lifespan, especially when exposed to heat or direct sunlight.

Once a can of cat food is opened, the product should be consumed within two hours if kept at room temperature. If left out for longer than two hours, bacteria can start to grow on the food and make your pet sick.

If you keep unopened cans of wet cat food in your pantry or cupboard at room temperature (68-72°F), they should last for up to three years before the quality starts to diminish. Cans of wet cat food should always be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators and stoves. This will help extend their shelf life by up to two years beyond their expiration date.

Cans of wet cat food are also vulnerable to extreme temperatures such as those found in freezers or hot cars during summer months. If frozen, wet cat food can last indefinitely but its texture may change over time and become dry and crumbly when thawed out. It’s best to avoid freezing canned cat food unless absolutely necessary as this could cause your pet to reject it after defrosting due to the change in texture.

Canned foods that have been left out in the heat should never be fed to your pet as they are likely spoiled and could make them very ill if ingested. It’s always best practice to check cans of wet cat food for signs of spoilage such as bulging lids, mold growth or an off-putting odor before feeding it to your feline friend.

Conclusion: Canned wet cat food has a limited shelf life even when stored properly at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators and stoves. Once opened, canned wet cat foods should be consumed within two hours if kept at room temperature; otherwise, bacteria will start growing on the food which could make your pet sick if ingested. Unopened cans should be consumed within three years before quality starts diminishing; freezing them may help extend their shelf life but could cause your pet reject them due to changes in texture.