Yes, cat food does expire and it is important for cat owners to pay attention to expiration dates and properly store and monitor cat food. Feeding cats expired food can pose health risks.
Understanding Cat Food Expiration
Cat food, like all food products, contains perishable ingredients and nutrients that can degrade over time. Shelf life refers to the period of time that cat food retains its nutritional value, flavor, and safety when stored properly. Most canned and bagged cat foods have best by dates or expiration dates printed on the packaging, which provide an estimate of the shelf life under proper conditions, usually several months to a year or more.
Factors like heat, moisture, oxygen exposure, and improper storage can accelerate the expiration and spoilage of cat food. Vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins as well as oils and fats can start to break down over time, even before the food looks or smells spoiled.
Consequences of Feeding Expired Cat Food
Feeding expired cat food means your cat may not be getting adequate nutrition. Vitamin, mineral, and overall nutrient levels deplete over time. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to health issues like poor immunity, skin problems, lethargy, and weight loss.
Spoiled cat food also poses more serious health risks. Bacteria like salmonella and mold can start to grow, producing harmful toxins. Cats eating rancid or contaminated cat food can end up with food poisoning or even severe infections.
Proper Storage Practices to Prevent Cat Food Expiration
Proper storage is key to preserving freshness and extending the shelf life of cat food. Store unopened cat food in a cool, dry place and avoid storage areas with excess heat, moisture, or humidity. Once opened, cat food should be transferred to an airtight, pet food container. This prevents oxygen exposure which causes faster nutrient deterioration.
Avoid subjecting cat food to temperature extremes. Do not store next to appliances generating heat. Refrigerating wet cat food after opening can prolong freshness for several days. Rotate stock using oldest food first, and follow “best by” dates for optimal nutrition and taste.
Importance of Checking and Monitoring Cat Food Expiration
Cat owners should develop the habit of regularly checking expiration or best by dates on both dry and wet cat food when shopping and when feeding. Do not purchase or feed cat food exceeding its expiration date.
Inspect food packaging for signs of improper storage like dents, swelling, or leakage. When opening canned cat food, check for off-odors, mold, or other signs of spoilage before serving. Monitoring and being cognizant of food freshness is key to avoiding health issues in cats. Ensuring cat food safety minimizes unnecessary gastrointestinal issues or medical care.
