One: Loss Of Nutrients The best time for storing canned cat food is when its still sealed, but once thats done theres not much else you can do to prolong its shelf life. If the food has changed color or looks moldy, its probably not safe to feed to your cat. If you live in a warmer climate, its important to keep an eye on your dogs food. 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. It was a hot and sunny afternoon; you just got home from the groceries. However, if its stored in a warm garage or other hot environment, the food will spoil and should be thrown away. 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. When canned goods are exposed to high temperatures for long periods, their acid or moisture content might react negatively, causing nutritional degradation. In the winter, if the heater is on or the food is in a warm kitchen, this same 20-minute limit would apply. If you have the opportunity, check the temperature of your automobile. Your cat may also be less likely to eat it if its not as fresh as theyre used to. Keep the food storage container closed and as airtight as possible because moisture in the food can lead to mold. 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. Is It Safe To Warm Up Cat Food? During my free time, I love reading a book on my kindle, biking, kayaking, and just enjoying life! And thats not just because of spoilage; if you leave cat food out too long and it goes bad, your pet could get sick. The shelf life of canned cat food is approximately 18 months. The answer is yes, canned cat food can go bad in the heat. How long can you safely leave canned cat food out? Canned cat food is made with preservatives to extend its shelf life. The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. You should also look for growth of mold or bugs, or if the food has been exposed to moisture or humidity. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Use up any opened canned food that has been kept in the fridge within five to seven days of opening. And, if the temperature outside is over 90 degrees, you should only leave food in the car for an hour. You May Like: What Age Do Female Cats Go Into Heat. And protect your cat's dental and oral health. Your pets 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. Your cat will most likely determine if the food is rotten and will reject it if it isnt safe. High temperatures can also cause the container to expand, generating a vacuum that can speed up the spoilage of the food. Do not give it to your cat if it has beyond its expiration date. To make sure the food is still safe to eat, it is crucial to check the expiration date on the can. The exact amount of time canned cat food will last in the heat will depend on various factors, such as your areas temperature and humidity levels. No, it would be best not to leave cat food cans in a hot car. 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. Yes, canned cat food can get bad in the heat. Using airtight containers: After youve opened a can of cat food, putting the leftovers in an airtight container will help keep it fresh and stop aromas from circulating around your house. Like all canned foods, canned cat food can become rancid and develop mold if you leave it out for too long. After this time, its important to discard the food as it may have gone bad. Can Canned Cat Food Go Bad in Heat? So, if youre planning on eating pasta sauce thats been sitting in a hot car, there are a few things you should know. It is preferable to throw out the can right away if it is bulging, dripping, or emitting an odd smell. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. This will guarantee that the cat chow matures properly and remains appetizing. Why Are Cats Afraid of Dogs? How long can you use canned cat food after the expiration date? Exposure to Air The canned cat food is definitely bad if the can has started bulging out and the food smells awful. 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. Most manufacturers recommend storing kibble and canned foods in a cool, dry place. The way the product was stored before purchase will also affect how long it lasts. It won't ruin the cans, but any excessive heat will impact the food itself. Itll be charred to a crisp! 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. The heat can cause the cans to swell and burst, which can be dangerous for your cat. Kittens, who should be given smaller meals more frequently, probably will finish their meal well before 15 minutes. The weather may have changed, making this impossible, but if theres an opportunity to do it, try to do so. This can affect the dishs flavor, fragrance, and overall quality. While dry dog food won't get easily spoiled in heat, it will become drier. Heat and moisture can cause bacteria to grow, which may make your pet ill. How long has it been since the can was opened? Dry cat food provides much more energy. The food may spoil due to the high temperatures, which could endanger the health of your cat companion by encouraging the growth of bacteria and other unpleasant odors. It is recommended that during summer, you should leave wet cat food out for a maximum of twenty minutes. In general, it is noticed that cat food will alter in temperature. Some cats, especially pets, are pretty picky about what they eat, which may affect how they feel about canned cat food. The length of time you can leave canned cat food out depends on room temperature. The good news is that canned wet food will not spoil in hot weather. The idea is to not make the food hot, but rather, warm it to room temperature. The high temperatures can cause the food to go bad, and the can could potentially burst. Is There a Cat Food That Helps Prevent Urinary Problems? There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to store canned food in a hot garage. This is a fundamental shift that will be visible in canned cat food that has been stored in heat. Thanks for reading! When temperatures rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, canned foods are at risk of spoiling. 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. What Makes a Good Recipe for Lobster Dishes? This can invoke other health problems such as urinary tract infection and kidney problems. You must understand that cat foods aging is influenced by more than simply the heat. Its important always to read the labels and choose high-quality canned cat food that is nutritionally balanced and free of harmful additives. In the heat, dry cat food does not spoil. Its not a good idea to keep canned cat food in a heated environment. Dry cat food can lead to dehydration at times if the cat is not provided with enough liquid intakes. Gently warming your cat's food will release the aroma, which is often enough to entice your cat to eat. 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. Wet cat food CAN go bad. Its usually accepted that you may give your dogs opened dry food three months beyond the best by date, but bear in mind that they wont get all of the nutrients the food would typically contain. When it comes to food safety, time is of the essence. Of course, the dry cat food will not survive being placed in an oven. When giving a can to your cat, it is crucial to check the expiration date. Does Canned Food Go Bad in the Heat? Canned cat food is made with preservatives to extend its shelf life. Bacterial Growth and Contamination Exposing canned cat food to excessive heat poses a significant risk as it can cause bacteria to grow and multiply. This is to prevent infectious agents such as Salmonella or Listeria from accumulating on the items. There are a few ways that you can stay cool in a hot car. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Some will crumble to tiny pieces, while others will become stiffer, depending on the formula. 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. You rushed out of your car while holding everything you bought from the grocery store. If at all possible, storing the food in a refrigerator or another cool environment is also a wise move. The short answer is: yes, canned food can explode if left in a hot car. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to consider switching to a dry food diet for your cat. Your dog will thank you for it! Low-acid canned foods (canned peas . The answer depends on several factors including type of canned food (wet vs dry), length of time opened, and amount of heat/sunlight exposure. If the food is darker or lighter than usual, or if it has any strange colors, throw it away. Its one of the reasons why we dont eat many foods that have been sitting around too long (think: leftovers). A good rule of thumb is that once youve opened a can of preserved cat food, use within 24 hours or refrigerate immediately after opening. Let the can thaw in the refrigerator before opening. Yes, canned cat food can go bad. 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. The main way to tell if canned cat food is bad is by its smell. This can cause the can to burst, which would allow bacteria to get in and contaminate the food. 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