Whether it’s Golden Delights or any other type of dog treat, efficient storage is important for several key reasons. Some of the key incentives include;
- Prolonging the lifespan of the dog treats, ensuring that they remain safe for consumption up to their expiry date.
- Maintaining freshness to ensure that all treats remain tasty for your pup.
- Preventing the risk of your pup helping themselves to dog treats, which could potentially cause sickness.
- Maintaining the full nutritional benefits of the treats, thus supporting your pup’s diet.
- Removing the risk of spillages and other accidents that would result in significant food waste.
Five Top Tips for Storing Dog Treats
#1. Consider Dry Treats Versus Wet Foods
When looking at dog treat storage solutions, it’s important to know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You must consider the type of food in question. This will influence the storage method, location, and maximum duration. Key examples include but are not limited to;
- Canned wet dog foods should be stored in a cool, dry setting.
- Opened pouches or canned treats may be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
- Unopened pouches with dry foods can be stored in cupboards for long periods.
- Homemade baked foods can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for one week.
Wet treats should be kept at under 80*F while dry treats are often less vulnerable to temperatures. Dry dog foods do not have to be transferred from their original bag if there is a reseal mechanism, but it is still recommended to keep them in an airtight container.
#2. Store Dry Dog Treats in Resealable Bags
Due to the threat of dry dog treats going stale, many pet lovers opt for brands that provide treats in resealable pouches. At Benders Bakery, our treats are sold in resealable packaging that is also manufactured from compostable materials. To use a resealable pouch to prolong freshness, pet owners should follow these steps;
- Avoid opening the pouch until it’s time for the first feed.
- Check that the resealable strip is completely closed before storing the treats.
- When the bag is empty enough, fold it over and use a food clip to keep it sealed.
- Take care when reopening the pouch so as not to rip it.
Resealable bags are a convenient solution, not least because you can take them out with you to give treats in the park. When storing dog treats in resealable bags in the home, though, it’s best to keep them stored high and out of your pup’s reach.
#3. Use Air-Tight Containers for Dog Treats
Air-tight containers are another fantastic option for storing healthy dog treats. They can be used if your resealable bag has split, if you want to store more than a single bag’s worth of treats, or when hoping to remove the threat of your pup getting into the bag. When using air-tight containers, you should;
- Opt for an appropriate size depending on the volume of treats to be stored.
- Always check that the lid is sealed tightly before putting the container away.
- Keep air-tight containers stored away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
- Select stackable air-tight pet treat containers for easier storage.
If you want to keep dog treats at their freshest, it’s also important to remove crumbs and old foods from the container before refilling them. Washing and drying the container ensures that the fresh new treats are not contaminated by the residue fat from a previous batch.
#4. Freeze and Refrigerate Dog Treats
Keeping pup treats at the right temperature is a key step towards preventing potential spoilage. Wet foods often require more care than dry dog treats, although the latter may benefit from freeing when wishing to keep them fresh for future usage. When storing items in a refrigerator or freezer, you must remember to;
- Let foods cool before chilling them to avoid moisture.
- Keep refrigerated foods lower in the refrigerator.
- Look for signs that foods have been spoiled before serving.
- Allow frozen foods to thaw out before giving them to your pup - unless you specifically wish to give it as a frozen treat.
Chilled and frozen dog treats become denser, which can impact chewing. Some dogs respond well to this while others will need to wait until the treat is fully thawed or heated. So, when storing dog treats in this way, you must be responsive to their reaction.
#5. Keep Dog Treats Organized
Dog treats must be kept organized if you want to avoid causing problems for your pup. All items and containers should be labeled to avoid mix-ups. Meanwhile, it is important to adopt a ‘first in, first out’ approach to ensure that no single batch of treats becomes stale. Other tips for storing dog treats in an organized way include;
- Avoid mixing different flavors of batches, even when it’s the same type or brand of treat.
- Stack air containers with the oldest items on top.
- Make yourself aware of the expiry date on each batch of dog treats.
- Make a note of which day you place any treats in the refrigerator.
Finally, implement a consistent strategy. Otherwise, your pup may encounter digestive issues as a result of switching between food preparation and storage methods. If your pet responds well to the method you’re using, stick with it.