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Commercial dog food is processed and packaged to extend its shelf life, but it doesn’t last forever. Even if you never open the package, canned dog food and kibble may eventually spoil, go stale, or start to decline in nutritional value—especially if you don’t store it properly.
How do you know if your dog’s food has gone bad? And does dog food actually expire? The “best by” date on the label is a helpful clue, but there are also visual signs to look for.
We spoke to Greg Reinhart, PhD, the Vice President of Research and Development at Pet Honesty, to find out when different types of dog food expire and how to tell. We’ll also cover some simple tips for how to store dog food safely.
Does Dog Food Go Bad?
Dog food does go bad after a while, particularly when it’s not stored correctly. That said, properly stored dog food products don’t automatically become dangerous the day after their “best by” or “use by” date has passed.
Past its expiration date, the palatability and nutritional value of dog food progressively decline. “Expired dog foods are at greater risk of essential vitamins degrading,” says Dr. Reinhart, “and dietary fats can also turn rancid when the food gets too old.”
The term rancid refers to an unpleasant smell or flavor that develops when fats and oils break down. In other words, expired dog food may be less appealing to your dog than fresh food, and it may no longer meet their nutritional requirements.
How Long Does Dog Food Stay Good?
Various types of dog food expire at different rates. Opening the package accelerates the degradation process.
Dr. Reinhart explains, “Dry dog food typically has a shelf life of 12 to 18 months from the date of manufacture if stored properly.” Unopened cans of wet dog food generally last two to three years, as will unopened packages of freeze-dried food.
“Fresh dog food has a much shorter shelf life,” he says, “and usually needs to be consumed within a few days if fresh, or stored in the freezer until use if frozen.”
| Type of Food | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life | How to Store |
| Kibble, dry food | 18 to 26 months | 6 to 8 weeks | In a cool, dry place (under 80℉) |
| Wet food, canned | 2 to 3 years | 48 to 72 hours | In a cool, dry place (under 80℉) unopened; in an airtight container in the fridge once opened |
| Fresh food | 6 months frozen | Up to 5 days once thawed | In the freezer until ready to feed; in an airtight container in the fridge once thawed |
| Raw food, fresh or frozen | 6 months frozen | Up to 5 days once thawed | In the freezer until ready to feed; in an airtight container in the fridge once thawed |
| Freeze-dried raw food | 2 to 3 years | 6 to 8 weeks | In a cool, dry place (under 80℉) |
| Air-dried food | 12 to 18 months | 6 to 8 weeks | In a cool, dry place (under 80℉) |
| Dehydrated food | 1 to 2 years | 6 to 8 weeks | In a cool, dry place (under 80℉) |
How Can You Tell If Dog Food Has Spoiled?
Determining whether a dog food product has spoiled may require an up-close investigation. Keep in mind that your dog’s senses are stronger than yours. If your dog refuses the food after a few bites or a quick sniff, there might be something wrong with it—even if it looks normal to you.
Here are some signs your dog’s food may have gone bad:
- Sour or unusual odor
- Change in color or texture
- Signs of mold or mildew
- Damage to the packaging
“A sour, rancid, or unusual smell is one sign of spoiled dog food,” says Dr. Reinhart. “The presence of mold, mildew, or discoloration is also often associated with spoilage.”
FotoDuets via iStock
Dry dog food is unlikely to develop mold unless it’s exposed to moisture. For wet dog food, mold or a noticeable mildew scent may indicate that the product wasn’t properly sealed during manufacture, or that it was exposed to too much heat or moisture in storage.
If there’s any evidence that pests like insects or mice have gotten into the food, it’s best to throw it out. Inspect any food that has been exposed to high heat or humidity before feeding as well, even if the package is unopened.
If that leaves you temporarily without dog food, don’t panic—for a short time, you can create solid meal replacements out of dog-safe fridge and pantry options until you have time to go to the store and get a fresh batch.
How dog food expiration dates work
At a glance, you may not be able to tell by looking at a bowl of dog food whether the product is past its expiration date. Reading the label is generally the quickest way to tell whether a product has expired.
Though pet food manufacturers aren’t required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to print expiration dates on their products, most do. Rather than labeling it as an expiration date, however, many manufacturers use the terms “best by” or “use by.” Some just print the date of manufacture on the package.
Keep in mind that the date stamped on the package only indicates how long the product will stay fresh before being opened. Once opened, exposure to air, moisture, and pests can compromise the safety of the product as well as its nutritional value.
Can a Dog Eat Expired Dog Food?
Even if it looks and smells fine, experts don’t recommend feeding your dog expired food. “Feeding your dog expired food can lead to several health issues due to changes in the food’s nutritional value,” says Dr. Reinhart, “and the potential presence of harmful substances.”
At best, expired food might fall short of optimal nutrient levels. At worst, it could make your dog sick.
According to Dr. Reinhart, “Consuming rancid fats can cause stomach upset and long-term health problems, such as liver damage or inflammation due to the production of harmful free radicals.”
How Should You Store Dog Food?
Many dog foods, especially shelf-stable ones, are best stored in the original packaging. Dog food packaging is designed to preserve the food. It also contains key manufacturing information you might need in the event of a product recall.
That doesn’t mean you can’t store kibble, dehydrated, or freeze-dried food in another container. Pet food storage bins add a second level of freshness protection by keeping air and pests out of the bag. Just clip the top of the bag closed and put it into the bin—don’t pour the food directly in.
Here are some additional dog food storage tips:
- Products that don’t require refrigeration should be stored in a cool dry place in temperatures under 80℉.
- Certain fresh and raw dog food products may have specific storage requirements, so check the label.
- Thoroughly clean dog food storage containers before refilling each time you finish a package.
- Always thaw frozen dog food in the refrigerator, not on the counter or in the sink.
- Store unused portions of canned or fresh food in airtight containers in the fridge—reusable lids work well for dog food cans.
Because spoiled or contaminated dog food can be dangerous, err on the side of caution. If you’re on the fence about a product’s freshness, throw it out and start a new package. Keep a little extra around to enable this option and so you won’t run out of dog food.
Further Reading
- What Should I Feed My Dog? A Guide to the Basics of Dog Nutrition
- The 11 Best Storage Containers To Safely Store Your Dog’s Food
- The 8 Best Canned Dog Food Lids for Easy Storage
- Our Favorite Dog Treat Jars that Take Treat Storage to the Next Level
- Aflatoxin Poisoning In Dog Food & How to Keep Your Dog Safe
