How to Keep your Pet Food Supplies Safe

Keeping your pets safe from harmful pet food is as easy as using the right pet food storage strategies. It is important to practice safe handling of your pet food and pet food supplies. This will reduce the bugs and rodents which pet food attracts. It will also protect your pet from Salmonella which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats. If your animal’s food becomes infected, Salmonella can also be transferred to the people handling the pet food supplies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase pet food which shows no signs of damage to its packaging such as dents or tears. Also check for an expiration date.

2. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and hot water before and after handling pet foods.

3. Wash food bowls, water bowls and scooper after each use.

4. Do not use your pet's feeding bowl as a scooping utensil. Use a clean scoop or spoon dedicated for this purpose.

5. Store dry pet food in its original bag inside a plastic container with a lid. It should be stored in a dry place under 80º F. Store opened wet pet food in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

6. Keep your pets out of your trash cans where they can come in contact with bad food. Place trash in a securely tied plastic bag inside a covered receptacle

Tips & Warnings

• If you keep extra pet food supplies for emergencies, be sure you rotate it out so it does not get stale.
• Have your pet checked out if he looses his appetite, is lethargic or vomits after a meal.