Excess heat can cause the nutrients in the food to break down, making it less nutritious for your cat. Along with, The USDA recommends storing canned foods in a cool, dry location, and most garages fail on both counts. To preserve fresh cat food, it needs to stay in the . It might be worth checking it out for yourself some time with a thermometer, but its possible for a car to reach 100 degrees F in summer, even if the temperature outside does not climb this high. Food stored in cans will spoil quickly if exposed to high temperatures, especially over 95 degrees F. It's best to store all your food in a temperature controlled environment that is kept at or below 70 degrees F. Although canned goods are processed at high temperatures to preserve their contents, storing them at temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit can be harmful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How Long are Canned Goods Safe in the Heat? In this post, well look at how heat affects canned cat food and offer advice on storing it to stay nutritious and secure for your feline friend. Any large dents or cracks should be seen as an indication that the food within the can has been tampered with and is no longer safe to eat. How Long Does Canned Cat Food Last in a Cooler? Read more in detail here: can dry dog food go bad in a hot car. If you think your cats canned food has gone bad (or if you just want to be safe), throw it out and buy new food for your pet. For instance, low-quality canned cat food frequently contains a lot of fillers like grains and artificial preservatives. Due to the overall influence of the heat, there is a fair limit to how long dry cat food may be stored before it spoils. While canned cat food that has been stored in heat can still be consumed, the aftertaste may be unpleasant to the cat. Of course, it may be that the food is fine and your cat is just being fussy, but its better to be safe than sorry in such cases!if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurouscat_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-leader-1-0'); Since cans clearly are vulnerable to heat exposure, you might be wondering what the proper storage method is. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'adventurouscat_com-box-4','ezslot_4',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'adventurouscat_com-box-4','ezslot_5',137,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-137{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}If a can is bulging or has become misshapen, it should be discarded. Cat food is costly, and many households cannot afford to lose a whole stack of cans at once. Dont Be Fooled. But, its crucial to make sure the food is kept in a closed container and not kept in the fridge for a lengthy amount of time. That's why it's important to store canned food in a cool, dry place. It's recommended to only leave dry cat food out for a limited time, such as a few hours, and to store it in an airtight container when not in use. But is that really a good idea? Store canned cat food in airtight containers or in its original packing up until it is opened to preserve its quality. Alternatively, phone your veterinarian and inquire about the foods suitability. How long can you safely leave canned cat food out? cans) on top of the radiator at a low setting for 20 to 30 minutes to bring the food up to room temperature before serving. As pointed out by TheSprucePets, opened cat food should not be left exposed to room temperature for more than twenty to thirty minutes, and a broken can counts as opened food. It should be stored in a place that is dry and cool. An evey cat owner who wishes to give their pet a balanced and nutritious diet must use canned cat food. This is likely to mean that the can is no longer adequately sealed, which means bacteria could enter the food inside. Yes, canned food will lose its flavor and eventually go bad in the heat and hot weather. Youre not alonemany other cat owners have had the same question. If this happens, it is best to throw the food away. Buying the right amount of canned cat food: To avoid the food going bad or acquiring bacteria, just purchase what your cat will actually eat within a few days. Required fields are marked *. Canned wet food can spoil in hot weather if it is left out for too long. There are a few ways that you can stay cool in a hot car. It worked out being like 9 free 12.5oz cans of which I put 6 in my donation box (just being honest), but I do buy a lot to donate, I currently have about 75 cans of various sizes to bring in as well as about 30lbs of dry food. To be clear, the lack of an unpleasant odor isnt always an indicator that the item is safe to consume, as food-borne bacteria dont always produce an odor. This can invoke other health problems such as urinary tract infection and kidney problems. And when food is left in a hot car, it can reach those temperatures very quickly. While canned cat food may never go bad for those of you who are using it for human consumption, make sure to follow these instructions for the best results. If the food gets too warm, it may start to smell bad or look discolored. A broken can qualifies as opened cat food if exposed to room temperature for more than twenty to thirty minutes. According to the FDA , the ideal storage temperature should be no more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you leave your cans of cat food in the sun or on a warm shelf for any length of time, they will start to degrade more quickly than usual and eventually go bad from the heat exposure alone. However, if you live in a climate where the temperature in your garage never gets above 85 degrees, and you can keep the cans in a dry location, then storing them in your garage should be fine. In direct sun, with a sealed interior, cars can get extremely warm indeed. Higher Temperatures Canned goods that remain in temperatures above 70 degrees F for extended periods are prone to loss of nutrients and overall food quality. On the one hand, if you live in a hot environment with low humidity, the heat is good for the kibble as it will keep the kibble dry. If you cant get to a fridge or cooler right away, its best to leave the food at home. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45F , for a maximum of 5-7 days. Can Cats Eat Doritos? You rushed out of your car while holding everything you bought from the grocery store. If youve had a can of cat food sitting in your pantry for a while, its probably not going to hurt your cat to eat it. For example, if you have a pantry, keeping cat food cans on the pantry floor might work. You must also know how to properly store dry cat food to maintain its nutritional content. Does Canned Food Go Bad in the Heat? Let the can thaw in the refrigerator before opening. Your pets have no way to tell you if the food has gone bad, so you are the ones who must be careful about what you feed your fur babies. With the assistance of chemical preservatives, canned cat food has a four-month to three-year shelf life when unopened and well packed. No, dry cat food does not go bad in heat. Canned cat food that smells bad is a sure sign that its gone bad. The cat did not like it. Yes, canned cat food can spoil in the heat, simply put it. The best option is in a cool, dark place. This article will address the subject to understand better how heat affects canned cat food over time. You can rest assured that your cats wet food will be safe in hot weather. If youve been feeding your cat canned food from a can that had no air inside it (meaning it didnt come from a store), then you need to start counting from when you opened up the can for the first time not from when it was manufactured! The thermophilic, or heating-triggered, pathogens vary from product to product and are unpredictable. This lack of oxygen prevents bacteria from growing, and thats why canned food has a long shelf life. 1 More posts from the NoStupidQuestions community 34.1k The first is the smell. Store in a cool, clean, dry place where temperatures are below 85 F (between 50-70 F is good) but not freezing temperatures. 1 Is unopened canned cat food still good if its been left in the heat? How long can you use canned cat food after the expiration date? Exposure to air also means exposure to bacteria. Heat does not spoil cat food but can speed up the spoilage process. Also, read about does wet cat food go bad if left out. Its one of the reasons why we dont eat many foods that have been sitting around too long (think: leftovers). If youre not sure if canned foods have been exposed to high temperatures, its best to err on the side of caution and discard them. If the food smells rancid or off, its probably not safe to feed to your cat. Most will have the information on their website. Heat overexposure can affect the nutrients in the food, cause the container to explode, cause germs to thrive . Yes, canned cat food can get bad in the heat. Most canned cat foods are safe to eat after their expiration date, as long as they are stored properly. Cons. Canned cat food is a popular choice for many pet owners, but it can be tricky to tell when its gone bad. This is a fundamental shift that will be visible in canned cat food that has been stored in heat. Likewise, during the cold winter, if you always leave your heater on, you should only leave your cat's wet food out for a maximum of twenty minutes. Yes, of course, you can. If you leave wet cat food at room temperature, it will quickly warm and become a perfect environment forbacteria to grow and pose a risk to your cat. It's better to give them only a tablespoon or two every three hours than to take a chance on spoiled food. You dont want to take a chance with spoiled food, especially when it comes to your cats health!if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'passionateaboutfood_net-banner-1','ezslot_7',162,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-passionateaboutfood_net-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'passionateaboutfood_net-banner-1','ezslot_8',162,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-passionateaboutfood_net-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-162{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. . So the long and short is that I have been pleasantly surprised so far. You should also look for growth of mold or bugs, or if the food has been exposed to moisture or humidity. Cans frozen accidentally, such as those left in a car or basement in sub-zero temperatures, can present health problems. The kitchen pantry or an inside closet works great. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. While dry dog food won't get easily spoiled in heat, it will become drier. 2 Canned food shipped - Dog Food Advisor; Also, check out what to do if the cat ate spoiled wet food. The meal may get discolored or form a slimy layer on top. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. As a result, the food may have an unappealing flavor, aroma, or texture. Any cat or dog food remaining after that time should be thrown out. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can sometimes be severe enough to require hospitalization. What happens if your cat food is exposed to heat as the temperature rises? Before giving it to your cat, it is advised to check the cans expiration date. Like all canned foods, canned cat food can become rancid and develop mold if you leave it out for too long. Dry cat food is not as healthy as canned cat food but many cat owners are still sticking to it out of convenience and affordability. Is There a Cat Food That Helps Prevent Urinary Problems? The idea is to not make the food hot, but rather, warm it to room temperature. If the temperature gets too high, the food can spoil and cause illness in your cat. Cars may get exceedingly hot in direct sunlight with a sealed inside. A damp garage could cause tin cans to rust, and canned food that is stored in a garage thats hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit runs the risk of spoiling. Seal an open bag of cat kibble as tightly as you can to reduce the . Canned cat food can go bad in heat. Many ingredients, including meat, grains, and vegetables, are carefully mixed into canned cat food to satisfy a cats dietary requirements. Is It Safe To Warm Up Cat Food? Does canned food go bad in extreme heat? Cats often do not eat a full serving of theircanned cat food at one sitting. Canned cat food is a common choice for pet owners but can go bad if not stored properly. This implies it will be edible, but the flavor will not be as fresh as if held at ambient temperature. If you live in a warmer climate, its important to keep an eye on your dogs food. Mar 23, 2023. Yes, canned cat food can go bad in heat. Yes, canned cat foods can definitely go bad in excessive heat. They can be readily warmed with running water in the sink for a few minutes. Temperatures over 100 degrees F are harmful to canned foods. If youre not sure whether your canned cat food has gone bad, its always best to err on the side of caution and throw it out. If the food smells sour, moldy, or otherwise unpleasant, dont feed it to your cat. And protect your cat's dental and oral health. However, cans should not lose their shape, and bulges are an indication that something is wrong with the can and its contents. Simba, Snowball and Oreo: My 3 musKITTYeers! The short answer is: yes, canned food can explode if left in a hot car. However, if its stored in a warm garage or other hot environment, the food will spoil and should be thrown away. Thanks for reading! As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases, About Us Privacy Policy Disclaimer Contact Us. Canned cat food can go bad in heat. Freshness is incredibly important when it comes to canned cat food, and any sign of spoilage or damage should be dealt with right away. This can affect the dishs flavor, fragrance, and overall quality. There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to store canned food in a hot garage. The majority of companies will have the information on their websites. If at all possible, storing the food in a refrigerator or another cool environment is also a wise move. You might be able to find a number for the manufacturer, who should be able to tell you what temperature their product is guaranteed up to. Can canned cat food go bad in heat? However, its not going to be as tasty or nutritious as fresh food. Pet food also comes with an expiration date, but sometimes canned cat food may get spoiled much earlier. High temperatures can also cause the container to expand, generating a vacuum that can speed up the spoilage of the food. Its a good idea to check your cars temperature if you can. So while you dont want to poison your cat, you may wish to test a small amount of the food on the cat. This entails placing it close to an oven and hoping for the best. If you dont have a cool, dark place to store canned goods, you can put them in a cooler with ice packs. Stick to dry food or treats that wont spoil as easily. Even if you think that canned foods are indestructible regardless of any conditions, heat is something that is potentially responsible for spoiling the entire quality of the food on its own. This is a question that we get asked a lot here at the blog, and its a valid one! You may be able to get a phone number for the manufacturer, who should be able to tell you what temperature range their device is guaranteed to withstand. In addition to being gross, rancid foods are also unhealthy because they contain free radicals (chemicals that damage cells in our bodies). Can canned goods go bad in heat? Rotate foods so the oldest is used first. If you have a large stock of canned food and are worried about it freezing, you can always transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Often, it will be fine, but you should be careful if it has got higher than ninety degrees F or stayed in the car for a long time. Can Canned Cat Food Go Bad In Heat? 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