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. What are some signs that a food has gone bad?. However, depending on the type of food, preservatives used, and storage conditions, this may change. In cats, these filters may result in obesity, allergies, and digestive problems. The key takeaway here is that you should always discard canned cat food if it is at all past its expiration date. Yes, canned cat food can spoil in the heat, simply put it. What If You Think the Cat Food Is Spoiled? This is why, even if canned cat food does not go wrong, keeping it at room temperature is the best option. Additionally, pay attention to expiration dates and look out for any signs of spoilage such as unpleasant odors or discoloration before feeding your pet any potentially . So, how hot does the inside of a car get? However, if you live in a climate where the temperature in your garage never gets above 85 degrees, and you can keep the cans in a dry location, then storing them in your garage should be fine. The main way to tell if canned cat food is bad is by its smell. For instance, low-quality canned cat food frequently contains a lot of fillers like grains and artificial preservatives. Yes, both dry cat food/kibble and canned cat food can go bad. And thats not just because of spoilage; if you leave cat food out too long and it goes bad, your pet could get sick. If youre going to be out in the heat with your dog, its best to leave the canned food at home. Here are a few signs to watch out for: Canned cat food can go bad if the can is damaged or dented. As a cat lover, I founded Catcoast to spread knowledge about all things feline. High-quality cat food bags have been designed to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible. If the food smells rancid or off, its probably not safe to feed to your cat. Low-acid canned foods (canned peas . To keep canned cat food from spoiling in heat, its crucial to store it properly. 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. Meat spoils quickly, and if the food within the cans has been tampered with, it may emit a foul odor. The most common cause of spoilage is exposure to heat. Along with, The USDA recommends storing canned foods in a cool, dry location, and most garages fail on both counts. Depending on the brand and particular product, canned cat food may have a shorter or longer shelf life. Cats with kidney problems or those that dont drink enough water may benefit the most from this. The absolute maximum under optimum temperature would be around 30 minutes. 1 Is unopened canned cat food still good if its been left in the heat? It will keep its nutrients as long as the heat is controlled and the food does not lose its physical integrity. Food can degrade more quickly under hot temperatures. An increase in temperature above the normal range is referred to as heat. High-acid canned food like tomatoes and some fruit will keep their best quality for 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned food like meat and vegetables will for 2 to 5 years. Heat can cause food to lose nutrients and change in color, flavor, and texture. That's not bad, but the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) actually recommends washing pet food bowls, dishes, and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit can cause nutrient loss in canned foods. According to the FDA , the ideal storage temperature should be no more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Deficiencies, compromised immune systems, and other severe health issues might result from this. You May Like: Litter Stuck In Cat Paw. To preserve fresh cat food, it needs to stay in the . It has gone bad when dry cat food has a characteristic sour and/or bitter odor. But how can you tell if canned cat food is bad? Generally speaking, wet foods should be consumed within 2-4 days and dry foods within 7 days after being opened. After opened, food should be refrigerated and eaten within a few days to avoid spoiling. AskMyCats.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Wet cat food CAN go bad. One: Loss Of Nutrients You might also like to read about how long does dry cat food last. Heat can cause fats and oils to go rancid and cause vitamins and minerals to break down. Food stored in cans will spoil quickly if exposed to high temperatures, especially over 95 degrees F. It's best to store all your food in a temperature controlled environment that is kept at or below 70 degrees F. If the food is lumpy or has changed texture, its probably not safe to eat. Exposure to Air Generally speaking, however, canned cat food can last up to six months if stored properly in a cool, dry place away from heat sources. Once opened, canned cat food should be used within a few days and stored in the fridge to prevent it from going bad. Causes and Remedies Unveiled, Why Do Cats Have Wet Noses? So, if youre leaving groceries or leftovers in a warm car, its important to not exceed the two-hour mark. Once the storage temperature rises, the risk of food spoilage jumps sharply. The answer is yes, canned cat food can go bad in extreme heat. Once the temperatures reach 100 degrees F or more, the safety of the food stored in the cans comes into question. 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. Yes, cat food can go bad in the heat. Bacterial Growth and Contamination Exposing canned cat food to excessive heat poses a significant risk as it can cause bacteria to grow and multiply. It is not a good idea to feed expired food to cats. Im a huge animal lover! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, if its stored in a warm garage or other hot environment, the food will spoil and should be thrown away. Dry cat food provides much more energy. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45F, for a maximum of 5-7 days. Nadia Tamara Yes, heat is the enemy of all canned goods. Its all too easy to leave something in the car after a trip to the shop, and if youve recently discovered some canned cat food, you might be wondering if you should feed it to your cat or whether you should throw it out and purchase some new food. 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. One of the main signs of spoilage in canned cat food is a change in color or texture. You might be surprised to learn that canned cat food can be left out for up to four hours, according to the FDA. That means it is possible your canned cat food has got to over 100 degrees F, and if so, you might want to avoid feeding the food to your cat. This article will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the safety of canned cat food in hot weather. To make sure the food is still safe to eat, it is crucial to check the expiration date on the can. -The food has mold on it. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurouscat_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurouscat_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',138,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurouscat_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-138{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:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}When in doubt, a call to the experts can help. Spoiled canned cat . 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. If you warm your cat's food in the microwave, be sure to use a low setting and stir thoroughly to make sure there aren . Any cat or dog food . This means that bacteria cant get in and cause the food to spoil. If youre like most cat parents, you probably have a few cans of cat food sitting in your pantry. . You rushed out of your car while holding everything you bought from the grocery store. In the heat, dry cat food does not spoil. Can canned cat food go bad in heat? This pertains to human canned food rather than cat food, but its an excellent benchmark to use when prioritizing your cats health and ensuring that its food is safe. I would recommend caution with any canned foods that have been exposed to high heat. Keep cooked canned foods hot, above 140 F, but not for more than two hours. So, to be safe, always store canned food in a cool, dry place. But is that really a good idea? If you want to avoid these diseases, its important to keep your diet as healthy as possible by avoiding foods with high levels of free radicals. Canned cat food is a common choice for pet owners but can go bad if not stored properly. Check the expiration dates before making a purchase. Do Canned Cat Foods Have an Expiration Date? Use opened cans within two to three days: Any unused cat food after youve opened a can should be refrigerated in a sealed container and used within two to three days. Excess heat can cause the nutrients in the food to break down, making it less nutritious for your cat. The germs in the food will begin to proliferate quickly as the temperature rises. Canned cat food shouldn't be left in a hot vehicle for long periods. But keep in mind that food should never be overheated. Temperatures over 100 degrees F are harmful to canned foods. This is likely to mean that the can is no longer adequately sealed, which means bacteria could enter the food inside. This can cause the can to burst, which would allow bacteria to get in and contaminate the food. And if youre taking canned food with you on a trip, be sure to pack it in a cooler with ice packs to keep it cool. Additionally, Canned foods can spoil if theyre stored in temperatures over 100 degrees F. The risk of spoilage increases as the storage temperature gets higher. If at all possible, storing the food in a refrigerator or another cool environment is also a wise move. Im a self-educated pet care geek because I am a pet parent that actually wants to learn as much as possible about caring for my cats and dogs. And when it comes to temperature, few things are more dangerous than leaving food out in a hot car. So does canned cat food go out when it out expose to heat. If it smells bad, though, you know its not safe to give your cat. Canned cat food that is discolored is another sign that it has gone bad. A modification in hue or texture should be one of the first things to look for. You can keep wet cat food in the fridge for about 24 hours. June 23, 2014 at 7:46 am #45083 Report Abuse. If you think your cats canned food has gone bad (or if you just want to be safe), throw it out and buy new food for your pet. Its important to pay attention to expiration dates when buying canned cat food. The expiration date of cat food is usually six months after the production date. 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. It will be determined by the quantity of heat surrounding the dry cat food. But, its crucial to make sure the food is kept in a closed container and not kept in the fridge for a lengthy amount of time. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. When Canned Goods Go Bad. A basement or pantry is ideal. In direct sun, with a sealed interior, cars can get extremely warm indeed. -Wearing light, loose fitting clothing, 3. If it smells sour or rotten, its probably bad. How Long are Canned Goods Safe in the Heat? Try not to keep canned foods more than 1 year. High temperatures can also cause the container to expand, generating a vacuum that can speed up the spoilage of the food. Temperatures over 100 degrees F are harmful to canned foods. Cats often do not eat a full serving of theircanned cat food at one sitting. Its critical to get the right cat food for your cat, but thats only one thing to consider. Some canned cat foods may contain harmful ingredients such as BPA, which can cause hormonal imbalances and increase the risk of certain cancers. Susan is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Remember, you don't want to actually heat or cook the food, but just warm it to room temperature or slightly warmer. Unlikely in the period of a day or two, but at high temps the quality starts to decrease, and eventually spoil faster than if stored in a cool dry place. Of course, the dry cat food will not survive being placed in an oven. It is best to store unopened commercially canned foods in a cool and dry place (such as in a cupboard). Can Canned Cat Food Go Bad in Heat? The risk of spoilage jumps sharply as storage temperatures rise. Yes, canned cat food can get bad in the heat. Store your cats food in a cool, dry location away from heat sources and direct sunshine to preserve its safety and quality. 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. The short answer is no, it is not safe to leave canned food in a hot car. 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