Still, there are other factors that will affect the dog food's freshness, which I discussed below. That is why every type of food - even eggs and vegetables - comes with a shelf life. It is preferable to throw out the can right away if it is bulging, dripping, or emitting an odd smell. -Parking in the shade Will It Upset Their Stomach? Your email address will not be published. Its important to keep the storage areas temperature consistently and within the advised range, which is often between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Canned cat food is a moist and nutrient-rich food that can spoil quickly when exposed to air and moisture. Itll be charred to a crisp! Can Canned Cat Food Go Bad in Heat? The shelf life of canned cat food is approximately 18 months. When Canned Goods Go Bad. 2. Dont take any chances with your cats health! An alternative would be to put the next serving in a microwavable dish, cover with plastic wrap, and warm on a low setting for a short time. Pet food also comes with an expiration date, but sometimes canned cat food may get spoiled much earlier. What Makes a Good Recipe for Lobster Dishes? You should never serve any canned cat food thats past its expiry date, even if its not spoiled. Sometimes there either isn't enough time or owners forget to pick up the uneaten portion. It is recommended that during summer, you should leave wet cat food out for a maximum of twenty minutes. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. Some will crumble to tiny pieces, while others will become stiffer, depending on the formula. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joys of owning a cat, and I hope to share my knowledge and experiences with others through Catcoast. It's better to give them only a tablespoon or two every three hours than to take a chance on spoiled 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. If you live in a warmer climate, its important to keep an eye on your dogs food. Temperatures over 100 degrees F are harmful to canned foods. The thermophilic, or heating-triggered, pathogens vary from product to product and are unpredictable. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. -The food has a slimy texture Yes, canned cat food can get bad in the heat. Dont Be Fooled. The fact that canned cat food has much more moisture than dry food is one of its key advantages for cats. The idea is to not make the food hot, but rather, warm it to room temperature. In fact, one study found that pasta sauce left in a hot car for just two hours contained over 10,000 times the safe limit of bacteria. When outside temperatures are 90 F or warmer, hold the cooked foods no longer than one hour before reheating, refrigerating or freezing them. However, a few simple tips can help you keep your cats food fresh and safe for consumption. Canned food can explode when exposed to extreme heat, and the contents of the can can be very dangerous. Can Canned Cat Food Go Bad In Heat? If the food is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time, the fat in the food can start to break down and rancidity can occur. It has gone bad when dry cat food has a characteristic sour and/or bitter odor. Tightly seal any leftovers in an airtight plastic bag or container and place it in the refrigerator. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If the food is darker or lighter than usual, or if it has any strange colors, throw it away. 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. Nadia Tamara Yes, heat is the enemy of all canned goods. You dont want a situation where the cat is too hot to eat, causing them to flee oppositely or eat less than they should. Its one of the reasons why we dont eat many foods that have been sitting around too long (think: leftovers). You must also know how to properly store dry cat food to maintain its nutritional content. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurouscat_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-medrectangle-3-0');Many people think of canned food as invincible and impossible to contaminate, no matter what conditions you subject it to. Besides this, If the cat food smells sour or rotten, has mold or bugs, or if your pet is sick after eating it, dont serve it. Franny Syufy is a cat expert with over two decades of experience writing about feline anatomy and medical conditions. This can cause the food to have an unpleasant taste, smell, and texture. Causes and Remedies Unveiled, Why Do Cats Have Wet Noses? We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Always keep such leftovers below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. After opened, food should be refrigerated and eaten within a few days to avoid spoiling. These containers are made to keep the food fresh for a long time. Ive had dogs, cats, rabbits, and chickens. The food is likely spoiled with a bad odour or smells sour. Food should be kept out of direct sunlight and other heat sources to preserve its safety. According to the USDA fact sheet, canned foods are safe indefinitely if not exposed to temperatures below freezing or above 90 F. First, the sauce is likely to be teeming with bacteria. So, we decided to address it in our blog. CatsCaress.Com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The best way to protect canned foods from heat damage is to store them in a cool, dark place. Remember that if the cans have been in the car for many days, the warmest day should be used as a reference because it is most likely to have spoiled the food. Thats because when temperatures rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria starts to multiply exponentially. Even before the cans expiration date, there are several symptoms that can tell if the food has gone bad, therefore its crucial to pay attention to them. Canned food remaining in the can should be covered and refrigerated immediately after opening. Yes, cat food can go bad in the heat. It will be warm, which might irritate a cat. Can canned cat food go bad in heat? This could make your dog sick, or even worse. Of course, its possible that the food is good and your cat is just being picky, but in such circumstances, its best to be safe than sorry! It is all too easy to make the mistake of leaving something in a car after a trip to the grocery store, and if youve just discovered some canned cat food out there, you might be wondering whether its okay to feed it to your cat or if you need to discard it and buy some fresh food. The benefit of this method is that the cat food will only ever reach room temperature and never higher. Another concern is the storage temperature. Do you still have any queries related to cats or want to share some experiences with your feline friend, why don't you join us on Facebook with other cat lovers? Once opened, canned cat food should be used within a few days and stored in the fridge to prevent it from going bad. Most canned cat foods are safe to eat after their expiration date, as long as they are stored properly. Can You Heat Up Canned Cat Food In The Microwave? You will probably find that it makes you retch because we are predisposed to dislike the smell of rotting meat as a means of keeping us from eating it and being made ill. To be clear, the absence of a bad smell isnt a sure sign the food is fine to eat, because food-borne bacteria wont necessarily create a scent. The quality of the food could be affected by the heat. If the food smells sour, moldy, or otherwise unpleasant, dont feed it to your cat. Heat can degrade vitamins and minerals and turn fats and oils rancid. The best temperature range for storing canned goods is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the heat, dry cat food does not spoil. -Turning on the air conditioning 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. For those of us who feed a species appropriate diet to our cats, remembering to thaw it out before it's feeding time can be a frustrating learning experience. It will keep its nutrients as long as the heat is controlled and the food does not lose its physical integrity. Store canned cat food in a cool, dry place: It is recommended that you store the food in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or cupboard, as exposure to heat and moisture might cause it to spoil more quickly. Bacterial Growth and Contamination Exposing canned cat food to excessive heat poses a significant risk as it can cause bacteria to grow and multiply. Keep food storage in a climate-controlled . -Nuts If you dont have a cool, dark place to store canned goods, you can put them in a cooler with ice packs. Once the temperatures reach 100 degrees F or more, the safety of the food stored in the cans comes into question. The canned cat food is definitely bad if the can has started bulging out and the food smells awful. Light can cause color changes and nutrient losses in foods canned in glass jars. Kittens, who should be given smaller meals more frequently, probably will finish their meal well before 15 minutes. Does canned food go bad in extreme heat? Canned cat food that has gone bad might result in anything from a minor stomach ache to a fatal infection. Cat food is costly, and many households cannot afford to lose a whole stack of cans at once. Its a good idea to check your cars temperature if you can. In fact, it is not uncommon for canned cat food to spoil if the container has been left opened for an extended period without being refrigerated. If it smells sour or rotten, its probably bad. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurouscat_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); While this may be over-cautious, its better than accidentally feeding your cat something unsafe! Dry cat food can go bad if left out for too long, especially if it's exposed to moisture or heat. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 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. Most people say you should just cover it and pop it in the microwave for a few seconds, but TwoCrazyCatLadies suggests that this could be a bad idea. Overexposure to heat can cause the nutrients to change, explode the container, cause bacteria growth, and cook the food. Canned goods are safe for about one hour in the heat. This can affect the dishs flavor, fragrance, and overall quality. Yes, you can put canned cat food in the refrigerator, and doing so after opening the can is actually advised. Canned dog food can spoil easily, especially when left in a hot car. 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. Your car filled with paper bags of food, toilet paper, and cleaning materials. If youre gone for more than four hours, youll need to either refrigerate the food or throw it out. The weather may have changed, making this unfeasible, but take advantage of it if you get the chance. If youre stumped and dont believe the car could have reached that temperature, you might question what else you can look for. There are a few signs that a food has gone bad. Cans frozen accidentally, such as those left in a car or basement in sub-zero temperatures, can present health problems. Dry cat food can lead to dehydration at times if the cat is not provided with enough liquid intakes. Cat food cans should not be left in a hot car, no. If the food is sterile and the can is undamaged, you might be wondering what could go wrong. So does canned cat food go out when it out expose to heat. Its crucial to make sure the food is eaten soon after refrigeration. These include: -The food has changed color You might be thinking about what might go wrong if the food is sanitary and the can is unharmed. In conclusion, yes - canned cat food can go bad in heat - so when purchasing or storing this type of product always make sure that temperatures stay below 70F (21C). What If You Think the Cat Food Is Spoiled? Through a gradual process, the heat will penetrate the cat food and the coolness will leave. Yes, canned cat food should be refrigerated after it has been opened. If this happens, it is best to throw the food away. 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. Canned goods might be safe even if they got hot. Any cat or dog food remaining after that time should be thrown out. 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. So, how hot does the inside of a car get? If you can, keep it in the fridge or even the freezer. Its important to pay attention to expiration dates when buying canned cat food. Its best to store it in a dry and mild temp environment; don't store in garages or inside cars as they can get pretty hot and cause it to start to turn despite the expiration date. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1250243/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377840116309257, Runny Cat Nose: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies, Why Does My Cat Have A Dry Nose? In the summer, and lacking air conditioning, leave the food out no longer than 20 minutes. This is a question that we get asked a lot here at the blog, and its a valid one! This lack of oxygen prevents bacteria from growing, and thats why canned food has a long shelf life. The main way to tell if canned cat food is bad is by its smell. In the cannery, canned food is exposed to higher temperatures than in a hot car. Discard any uneaten food after two or three days of refrigeration. Canned cat food can go bad in heat. Can Cat Food Go Bad in Heat? The canned cat food may get spoiled if heated for a long time. 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. Yes, canned cat food can go bad in heat. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases, About Us Privacy Policy Disclaimer Contact Us. Find out more about my story, Your email address will not be published. For canned cat and dog food Your pet's bowl should be emptied of moist or canned food not eaten by your cat or dog within 4 hours if the ambient temperature is above 50F. Second, those bacteria can cause food poisoning. Avoid extremes of heat and cold, and always keep canned tuna out of direct sunlight. At prolonged storage temperatures above 75 F, nutrient loss in canned foods increases. It won't ruin the cans, but any excessive heat will impact the food itself. One: Loss Of Nutrients Heat isn't as harmful for dry dog food as it is for wet dog food. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45F, for a maximum of 5-7 days. The majority of companies will have the information on their websites. If you cant get to a fridge or cooler right away, its best to leave the food at home. , toilet paper, and cleaning materials I Earn from Qualifying Purchases, about Us Privacy Disclaimer... 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