Cats seldom consume a full dose of canned cat food in a single sitting. There isn’t always enough time, or the owners forget to pick up the uneaten food. When it comes to canned cat food, how long can you safely keep it out?
The amount of time canned cat food may be left out is determined by the room temperature. If you don’t have air conditioning, keep the meal out for no more than 20 minutes in the heat. This same 20-minute restriction applies in the winter if the heater is on or the feed is in a warm kitchen. Under ideal conditions, the absolute maximum time would be roughly 30 minutes.
This article would be a must-read for cat owners because your cat might be in danger if he eats tainted food.
Give Your Cat the Perfect Day
Get the Free Ebook!
Does Canned Cat Food Expire?
Yes, canned cat food will expire after a certain date.
Cats, unlike dogs, rarely consume their full meal as soon as it is placed in front of them. As a result, cat food is frequently left out during the day. The biggest danger of leaving cat food out is that it will deteriorate.
Bacteria grow and proliferate considerably quicker than fungus or mold, which takes days to develop and multiply. Germs may increase rapidly under the right conditions, resulting in hazardous bacterial infections such as salmonella or listeria.
Kittens, which should be fed smaller, more frequent meals, will most likely finish their meal in less than 15 minutes. It’s preferable to provide them with a spoonful or two every three hours rather than risking damaged food.
When exposed to the air, you are also exposed to germs. Because moisture in the food might lead to mold, keep the food storage container closed and as airtight as possible. The storage temperature is also a consideration.
Pet foods, even unopened bags or cans, should not be kept in a garage or shed where temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. According to most manufacturers, Kibble and canned meals should be kept in a cold, dry environment. The pantry in the kitchen or an internal closet will suffice.
Canned food should be covered and refrigerated as soon as possible after opening. Because most cats dislike cold food, the next dish can be reheated. Zippered throwaway bags can be used to store uneaten food.
They may easily be reheated under running water for a few minutes in the sink. Another option is to place the next serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap, and reheat on low for a few minutes. The goal is to warm the plate to room temperature rather than making it hot.
You might also like to know about can canned cat food go bad in heat
How Long Does Canned Cat Food Last Once Open?
Canned cat food, once opened, will last for about 1-2 hours only.
We all wish to provide our cats with nutritious meals. While keeping dry pet food fresh is just a question of correctly storing it in an airtight container, canned pet food requires additional precautions.
Canned pet food should be used until the “use by” or “best by” date on the can is reached. Do you know how long a can of cat food will last once it has been opened?
Let’s start with the food you provide for your pet. When you open a pet food can, offer an amount large enough for your cat to complete in one sitting.
If your pet does not complete the full serving of canned food, pick up any uneaten food within 30 minutes or even faster on hotter days.
Canned food is sensitive to bacteria and mold growth due to its high moisture content, exposure to air, and warm temperatures. Food that has not been consumed in your pet’s bowl should be tossed. For each feeding, use a clean pet food bowl.
If you have a partially opened can of cat food, cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator right once. When serving your pet food from a spread, keep in mind that most pets prefer their chilled food to be gradually warmed to room temperature.
This releases the food’s fragrance, and many pets (particularly cats) dislike eating cold food. Any uneaten pet food in an open can should be disposed of within three days of opening.
If you often put opened cans of pet food in the refrigerator, write the date the can was opened using a marker right on the can.
This will help you track when the opened can should be disposed of.
Also, check out is it safe to store cat food in a plastic container
How Long Does Wet Cat Food Last Unopened?
Unopened canned cat food is safe to eat even if it has beyond its ‘best purchase’ date of less than a month. The date of expiry is printed on the cans. However, its shelf life is limited to one year from the date of manufacture.
Cans that have been opened should be kept in the fridge for a maximum of 5-7 days at 40-45°F. After that period, any leftover cat or dog food should be discarded.
Does Canned Wet Cat Food Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Some canned wet cat food is available, but you may also buy chilled cat food. Once opened, this type of cat food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can store the food till it expires if you haven’t opened it yet. Pet foods, even unopened bags or cans, should not be kept in a garage or shed where temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to most manufacturers, Kibble and canned meals should be kept in a cold, dry environment. The pantry in the kitchen or an internal closet will suffice.
You might also like to read about how long does dry cat food last
Can You Use Expired Canned Cat Food?
No, it is not suggested to feed expired cat food to your cat. Providing your cat food after it has passed its “best by” or expiration date might harm their health and nutrition.
If the product has just passed its expiration date, cats can consume outdated canned cat food. However, feeding cats outdated food is not a good idea.
The nutritional quality deteriorates, putting your cat in danger of ailments including diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Don’t feed your cat if there are symptoms of decaying, such as mold, bugs, worms, or unpleasant odors.
After ingesting expired cat food, cats are at significant risk of developing health problems. Starting with digestive difficulties, these health conditions vary from minor to major.
After ingesting outdated food, the cats’ bodies will purge the hazardous elements through vomit or diarrhea. After violently expelling the ancient food, cats may get queasy, sluggish, or lethargic.
Also, read about does wet cat food go bad if left out
How Do You Know If Canned Cat Food Is Bad?
You can know whether the canned cat food is bad by checking the expiration date of the food.
Of course, you can’t determine a food’s quality only on its smell—many pet meals, particularly wet cat feeds, have a strong odor.
However, if you’re used to a certain brand or type of food, you’ll notice that it smells a little different, especially if you’re hunting for it because it’s beyond its “expiration” date.
Checking the expiration or ‘Best By’ date is one of the simplest methods to tell if cat food has gone bad. This date, often known as the ‘Best By’ date, can be found on the food’s package or label. It might be a stamp on the bottom of the can or a date near the nutritional information.
The fragrance of canned cat food isn’t particularly attractive. However, when the product is no longer suitable for your pet, the stink might become even worse. Because most canned cat meals are moist, they have an unpleasant odor.
Because of the high moisture content, the product emits problematic odors when it interacts with other components. The fragrance of newly opened canned cat food is tolerable for many pet parents. However, if the smell becomes unpleasant, you should stop feeding canned food to your cat.
Most cat parents stick to a single brand or variety of canned food for their cats. As a result, you should memorize the appearance of the dish. If the food has any discoloration, such as darker than typical meat or suspicious white stuff forming, it is no longer suitable for your pet’s healthy diet.
Mold thrives where suitable quantities of humidity and moisture are accessible, according to 2016 research. Many canned cat meals, thankfully, come in hermetically sealed canisters. If the can contains small openings allowing air to enter, mold can grow and spread.
Your beloved feline, as well as certain adjacent pests, may be attracted to the fragrance of cat food.
Cockroaches, moths, beetles, and worms can get into canned cat food that has been poorly kept. These tiny insects may carry hazardous germs into food, which might cause problems if your cat eats it.
Also, check out Can Cats Drink Spoiled/Expired Milk? How Gross Is That?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to leave dry cat food out all day?
Dry cat food can be kept out for many days without spoiling, but leftovers should be thrown out and the dish washed regularly to maintain cat food at its freshest. Dry food may get stale in a day or two, and your cat may not find it as enticing once that happens.
Can I leave wet cat food out overnight?
Depending on the temperature, wet cat food should not be left out overnight since it will deteriorate in one to four hours. Wet food, on the other hand, dries up rather rapidly. Even an hour after being out, the meal remains unappealing and inedible due to this.
Can you warm up wet cat food?
As some cats detest the taste of cold food, you may reheat it for them to make it more appealing. Wet cat food may be microwaved by placing it on a microwave-safe dish and heating it for a few seconds before giving it to your feline friend. Make careful you don’t overheat it, or your cat may be burned.
Final Words
Cats can eat expired canned cat food provided there are no obvious symptoms of rotting on the package. However, this will not satisfy your pet’s daily nutritional needs.
Furthermore, if the product shows bacteria or insect activity, don’t feed it to your cat. If you see any of these indicators, place the can in a sealed container before throwing it out.
Ask us in the comments section below.
