Can you freeze dry dog food? It’s a question you may be asking if you’re wanting to keep your canine’s kibble fresh for as long as possible. And the good news is, you absolutely can! In fact, not only is freezing dry dog food great for extending its shelf life, it’s a wonderful way to provide your pup with a cooling treat in the warmer months.
The best dry dog food is rich in all the nutrients your fur friend needs to thrive, but it can also be expensive, so it’s understandable you want to make it last as long as possible. Although dry kibble lasts longer than wet food, it can still go off if it's left to sit around for too long.
Thankfully, there are lots of options when it comes to freezing dry dog food — and expert vet Dr. Rebecca MacMillan shares some of her favorites below. Plus, we reveal the best ways to store dry dog food outside of the freezer and how long you can keep a bag of opened kibble for before it starts to spoil. Let’s dive in…
Can you freeze dry dog food?
"You can definitely freeze dry dog food and there are a few reasons why you might want to do this," says Dr. MacMillan. "The first is to create refreshing treats for your dog, especially in warm weather. If this is the case, then it is best to soak the kibbles in water first or mix them with wet dog food. This will help them stick together and allow you to stuff them into an interactive toy like a Kong to make a frozen snack.
Another reason for freezing your dry dog food is to extend its shelf life. Although dry dog food lasts longer than wet food once opened, it can still go stale, and the fats it contains may go rancid.
Freezing also has the advantage of reducing microscopic storage (grain) mites, which contaminate many dry foods. These may contribute to allergies in some dogs, so I often advise freezing dry kibble to decrease mite numbers for pets that have been diagnosed with this condition."
Is it okay to put dog food in the freezer?
Because there are so many things dogs can eat besides dog food, you may find you often have extra kibble on hand that you want to save for later on. So is it okay to put it in the freezer?
"It is fine to put dog food in the freezer," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "Freezing dry dog food won’t affect its nutritional content, in fact, it will preserve the food and help it to last longer. If you buy your dry kibble in bulk then freezing a proportion of it will stop it from going stale before you get to the bottom of the bag."
What is the best way to freeze dog food?
"When freezing dry dog food, it is best to decant it into an airtight container or individual plastic bags," Dr. MacMillan advises. "You should also label your food with the date it goes into the freezer, so you can keep track of it."
Can you freeze kibble in a Kong?
When it comes to how to use Kong toys, popping some kibble inside and then freezing it makes for a great enrichment activity.
"You can freeze dry food inside a Kong or other interactive rubber toy," says Dr. MacMillan. "It is best to soak the kibbles first to make them soft and stick together. Alternatively, you could mix dry biscuits with wet dog food. You can then smear and stuff them into the rubber toy and put it into the freezer to set."
Is it safe to store dry dog food in a plastic container?
"Dry food is best stored in something airtight to stop it from spoiling, so a suitable plastic container would be absolutely fine for this purpose," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "Just make sure that the container is regularly cleaned out with warm soapy water, rinsed, and dried before new food is put into it. It is important not to just top up the container with new, fresh biscuits on top of older ones."
Can you put dog food in ziploc bags?
"Dog food can be stored in ziplock bags," says Dr. MacMillan. These can also be useful for freezing food too. Some owners may wish to use ziplock bags so that individual portions of food can be easily defrosted and dished up. Depending on the size and shape of your appliance, it may also be easier to store multiple smaller bags in the freezer than it is in one large container."
How to store dry food after opening it
While dry dog food lasts longer than the best wet dog food, it is still perishable and needs to be stored in the right way. Here’s what to do to make sure it stays as fresh as possible:
1. Seal the bag
Once you open the bag of dog food, you’ll need to check it’s sealed properly in order to keep out any air or moisture as this is how bacteria gets in. Roll down the sides of the bag and seal it tightly using a bag clip.
2. Keep in an airtight container
If kibble is exposed to air, the oxygen breaks down the oils in the food, which speeds up the process by which it goes bad. To prevent this from happening, keep the bag of dog food in an airtight container.
The best options for these are stainless steel or glass as they have better seals, are easier to clean and last longer. If you do choose to use a plastic container you will need to keep it clean and dry and replace it regularly as the chemicals in the plastic can seep into the food.
3. Leave it in its original packaging
Instead of emptying dog food out of its bag and into a container, place the whole bag into the container. This will add an extra barrier to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Plus, keeping the original packaging means you have the expiry date and manufacturer details in case there is a problem with the food.
4. Clean the container regularly
Before you place the dog food in the container make sure you wash it using hot soapy water or white wine vinegar, rinse it and dry it thoroughly. When you buy a new bag of dog food, don’t mix it in with the previous bag. Rewash and dry the container to prevent oils building up and turning the food rancid and to stop mold from forming due to excess moisture.
5. Store it somewhere dry
Store the dog food somewhere dry and cool such as a pantry– nowhere hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (you may want to avoid garages and sheds). This will prevent moisture causing mold and high temperatures breaking down the nutrients in the food.
6. Freeze it
If you’re worried about dry dog food going bad, buy it in bulk and freeze it so that it is preserved for longer.
How long can you keep dry dog food for?
Unopened dry dog food may last from 12 to 18 months, but once opened it may only be good for as little as two to six weeks. Check the expiry date to be sure. If there is no expiry date it is best not to take a risk and to throw the dog food out as you don’t want your dog to get ill.
Dry dog food that has gone bad may start to smell bad or change texture. You may notice mold on the inside of the bag. If it looks and smells fine, but your dog won’t eat it, this may also be a sign that it’s past its sell-by date.
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Rebecca is a vet surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
