Health & wellness
Insurance disclaimer: This article provides general information only and doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please read the relevant PDS. Accurate as at 13 November 2026.
Health disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about your pet’s individual health needs. Accurate as at 13 November 2026.
Choosing the right food for your pet is only part of the picture. How you store it between meals matters too.
The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take. Here are some common pet food storage mistakes you might be making without knowing it, and easy ways to help keep your pet’s food fresh, safe and appetising.
Table of contents
- First, why storage matters
- Mistake 1: Ditching the original bag
- Mistake 2: Storing food in a warm or damp spot
- Mistake 3: Leaving the bag open
- Mistake 4: Topping up old food with new
- Mistake 5: Ignoring use-by dates
- Mistake 6: Mishandling wet food
- Mistake 7: Forgetting to clean bowls and scoops
- Keeping your pet’s food fresh and safe
- How pet insurance can help
First, why storage matters
Appropriate nutrition is important for your pet’s health, so it’s worth keeping it in good condition. A complete, balanced commercial diet is formulated to give your pet the nutrition they need, but exposure to air, warmth, light, moisture and pests can degrade that quality over time, affecting freshness, nutritional value, taste and safety. Good storage simply protects the food you’ve already chosen so carefully.
Mistake 1: Ditching the original bag
It’s tempting to tip a big bag of kibble straight into a storage bin. The original packaging is specially designed to help preserve freshness and protect the food from air and light. It also carries crucial details, including the use-by date and batch number, which you’d need in the event of a product recall.
Instead, keep the food in its original bag, and if you like the convenience of a container, simply pop the whole bag inside it. Best of both worlds.
Mistake 2: Storing food in a warm or damp spot
Where you keep the food matters as much as how. Heat, humidity and sunlight all speed up spoilage and can cause fats in the food to turn rancid. A garage, laundry or spot near the oven might be convenient, but these areas can be warm or damp.
Instead, store pet food somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard may be suitable if it provides these conditions. Keeping it off the floor can also help protect against moisture and pests.
Mistake 3: Leaving the bag open
An open bag lets in air, moisture and the odd curious pest, all of which affect freshness and can lead to spoilage. It’s an easy habit to slip into when you’re scooping meals in a hurry.
Reseal the bag properly after every use by rolling it down and clipping it shut. If you’re using a container, close the lid securely too. These simple steps help protect the food’s freshness.
Mistake 4: Topping up old food with new
When the bag or container runs low, it’s natural to just tip the new food in on top. The problem? Older food (and any residue or oils) lingers at the bottom and can go stale or rancid, affecting the freshness and quality of the new food. Avoid adding new food on top of old food. Between bags, wash and thoroughly dry the container to remove leftover crumbs and oils.
Mistake 5: Ignoring use-by dates
Pet food doesn’t last forever, so it’s important to check the date and storage instructions on the packaging. It’s easy to lose track, especially if you buy in bulk. Once opened, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how long to keep the food.
Mistake 6: Mishandling wet food
Wet food needs a bit more care. Once a can or pouch is opened, cover and refrigerate unused wet food promptly, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use after opening. Don’t leave wet food sitting out, particularly in warm weather, as it can spoil.
A quick tip: fridge-cold food can be less appealing to some pets, so let refrigerated portions warm up slightly before serving.
Mistake 7: Forgetting to clean bowls and scoops
Storage isn’t just about the bag, it’s about everything that touches the food. Food bowls, water bowls, and scoops can harbour bacteria and oily residue if they’re not washed regularly. Wash food bowls and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use and dry them thoroughly. Wash water bowls daily. It’s a small habit that can help support good food hygiene.
Keeping your pet’s food fresh and safe
None of these steps are complicated; they’re just easy-to-miss habits. Keep food in its original bag, store it cool and dry, seal it well, mind use-by dates, handle wet food carefully, and keep bowls clean. Get these right, and you’ll help protect the quality, safety and taste of the food you’re already providing. If you ever suspect your pet’s food has made them unwell, stop feeding it and speak to your vet.
How pet insurance can help
Even with the best food hygiene, tummy upsets and digestive troubles can still happen, and may require veterinary attention. Pet insurance can help cover some of those unexpected vet costs, so you can focus on getting your pet back to their best.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your dog’s or cat’s cover to suit your needs and budget. And every policy also contributes to vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives, including rescue, rehab and rehoming for animals in need.
To learn more, visit the RSPCA Pet Insurance website, or fetch a commitment-free quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Australia. What should I feed my cat? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/cats/caring-for-my-cat/what-should-i-feed-my-cat
[2] RSPCA Australia. Can you give me some advice on caring for my dog? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/can-you-give-me-some-advice-on-caring-for-my-dog
[3] Pet Food Institute. How to handle and store pet food. Available from: https://www.petfoodinstitute.org/how-to-handle-and-store-pet-food/
[4] FDA. Proper Storage of Pet Food & Treats. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/proper-storage-pet-food-treats
[5] Purina. Dog Food Storage: How to Store Dog Food. Available from: https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/feeding/guides/how-to-store-dog-food
FAQs
Keep it in its original bag (which is designed to preserve freshness and carries the batch and use-by details), and you can additionally place that bag inside an airtight container if you like. Store it somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, and always reseal it after each use. Avoid tipping food straight into a bin-style container without the bag, and don’t add new food on top of old food.
Once opened, cover any unused wet food, refrigerate it promptly, and check the label to confirm when the food needs to be consumed by. Don’t leave wet food sitting out for long, especially in warm weather, as it can spoil quickly and attract pests. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for storing and serving refrigerated food.
Check the packaging, storage instructions and dates, and discard food showing signs of spoilage. If you’re unsure about its condition, don’t feed it.
The original packaging is specially designed to help preserve the food’s freshness and protect it from air, light, and moisture. It also carries important information, including the use-by date and batch number, which you’d need if there were a product recall or food safety concern. Keeping the original bag makes storage instructions and batch details easy to find.
