Canned cat food is a convenient and nutritionally balanced option for pet owners who want to provide their cats with a healthy diet. It’s important to pay attention to the best by date on the label, but this does not necessarily mean that the food should be thrown away immediately after that date passes.
Shelf Life of Canned Cat Food
The best by date on canned cat food is an indication of when the food will begin to lose its nutritional value, taste, and texture. This means that the food may still be safe to feed your cat after this date has passed, but it may not be as nutritious or palatable as it was prior to that point. For this reason, it’s important to check the smell and appearance of canned cat food before feeding it to your pet.
Storage Tips
Proper storage is also key in making sure your cat’s canned food stays as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Make sure you store cans in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or other sources of heat that can cause spoilage. Once opened, keep any remaining food refrigerated for up to three days and discard any leftovers after that point.
Freezing Canned Food
If you have a large quantity of unopened canned cat food that you need to store for a longer period of time, you can freeze it until you are ready to use it. Freezing canned cat food will help preserve its taste and nutritional integrity for up to six months if stored correctly in airtight containers or freezer bags. Make sure you thaw frozen cans slowly in the refrigerator before feeding them to your pet.
Conclusion: Canned cat food usually lasts much longer than its best by date suggests; however, storage conditions and quality control play a big role in how long the food lasts past its expiration date. To ensure maximum freshness and nutritional value for your pet, always check for signs of spoilage before feeding cans past their best by date and store any unused portions in an airtight container in a cool dry place or refrigerate them immediately after opening and discard leftovers within three days.