You put thought into what goes in your pet’s bowl. But what happens to the bag, can, or pouch between meals deserves a little attention, too.

With fall calendars filling up around Northwest Indiana, this is a simple household task to tackle: take a fresh look at where and how you keep your pet’s food.

You don’t need a picture-perfect pantry. A few practical habits can help you care for the food you’ve already chosen for your dog or cat.

Keep the bag, even if you love your food bin

If you use a storage bin for dry food, place the original bag inside it and close the bag between meals. Keep the bin’s lid secure, too.

The packaging holds useful details, including the product name, lot number, and best-by date. If you ever have a question about that particular bag, you’ll have the information handy.

Already poured the kibble into a container? Save those package details and make sure the container is clean, dry, and tightly covered.

Choose a cool, dry spot

Store dry food and unopened canned food somewhere cool and dry, below 80°F. A warm garage or a damp basement may not be a good fit. Keep food and treats where pets cannot help themselves.

Your dog may consider an open food bag an invitation. We admire the enthusiasm, but dinner still needs a serving size.

FDA handling guidance

 

Give the container a clean start

When one bag is finished, wash the storage container and let it dry completely before adding the next. This removes leftover crumbs and oils.

Make the new-bag routine easy to remember: empty, wash, dry, refill.

FDA storage guidance

Put opened wet food away promptly

Unused or leftover canned and pouched food should be promptly refrigerated or discarded. Cover refrigerated food tightly and keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below.

A simple place to start is pairing your pet’s mealtime with your own kitchen cleanup. Serve dinner, put the unused food away, and then enjoy that very satisfied face.

FDA handling guidance

Remember the bowl and scoop

Wash food bowls and measuring utensils with soap and hot water after each use, then dry them. Use a separate scoop reserved for pet food instead of dipping the food bowl into the bag. Wash water bowls daily, too.

It’s a small addition to the dishes, and one more way to make mealtime care a habit.

FDA food handling

A little help from your neighborhood pet store

Have a question about the food you’re feeding or the directions on its package? Bring the product name or a photo of the label when you visit Hydrant Pet Center in Highland. We’re happy to help you find the information you need.

Stop by 8630 Kennedy Avenue or call (219) 923-3649. Around here, even the everyday questions deserve a helpful answer.