How Long Can Canned Dog Food Be Left Out in the Bowl?

Canned dog food is a convenient and affordable way to feed your pup. It’s also tasty and easy to serve, which makes mealtime a breeze. But when it comes to leaving it out in the bowl, how long is too long?

The answer depends on several factors, including the type of canned food you’re using and the outside temperature. Generally speaking, unopened cans of food can be kept at room temperature for up to three days. But if you leave opened cans out for more than two hours, they should be thrown away as bacteria can quickly grow on wet food at room temperature.

When refrigerating opened cans of wet dog food, the clock starts ticking. Refrigerated wet food should be thrown away after four days; this is because bacteria can still grow even when kept cold.

As for dry dog food, unopened packages can generally be stored at room temperature for up to one year. Once opened, however, you should throw away any dry kibble that has been left out for more than two hours as bacteria can still grow in dry environments.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it’s best practice to store canned dog food in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or furnaces. For wet canned foods that have been opened, refrigerate them and use within four days; if left out at room temperature for more than two hours, discard them immediately. For dry foods that have been opened, discard any kibble that has been left out for more than two hours as bacteria can still grow in these environments even though they are generally safe for up to one year when unopened.