Why Wet Cat Food Needs to Be Refrigerated After Opening

does wet cat food need to be refrigerated after opening

Wet cat food is usually shelf-stable, but can spoil if left out in the open for too long. To prevent spoilage, always store wet cat food in your refrigerator as soon as it has been opened.

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Wet cat food should always be stored in an airtight container to avoid pests or drying out. Doing this keeps it fresher for longer and reduces the risk of bacterial growth.

Contents

1. Refrigeration

Wet cat food contains a high concentration of proteins and fatty acids which can spoil if left out for too long. Refrigerating the food helps prevent spoilage and bacterial growth by keeping it at room temperature.

Left unattended, wet food can lead to illness in your cat, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If you want to ensure your cat gets enough nutrition, try feeding her wet food once or twice a day. This can be an excellent way to keep them healthy and contented.

Wet cat food comes in a variety of containers and can be purchased in bulk quantities. When selecting a brand for your furry friend, select one that they enjoy eating and that you can afford to purchase regularly.

2. Warehousing

Dry cat food can usually be kept fresh in its original packaging; however, wet foods require special handling to maintain freshness. It’s recommended that these be stored in the fridge at all times as wet foods tend to become mushy and stale over time if left out at room temperature. To prevent this, keep the container closed tightly with its lid securely fastened at all times.

As a pet parent, finding the appropriate storage solutions for your pet’s food and bedding will simplify life for both of you. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from; it all begins with understanding your pet’s individual needs and what’s available within the veterinary community. With this understanding in hand, it will be easier to decide which solution best meets both requirements and budget. We suggest visiting your local vet for a free consultation where a licensed veterinarian will take time to answer all questions in person. To get an even better idea which solution suits best, visit them at their clinic nearest you for an in-person consultation with one of their licensed veterinarians who can answer all questions directly during this visit!

3. Warming

Have you ever noticed your cat eating more when served food at room temperature instead of cold? It could be because cats prefer the scent and texture of warm food more. As naturally predators, cats typically prefer food closer to the body temperature of fresh prey they would hunt in the wild.

Furthermore, older cats often experience decreased sense of smell and taste due to natural sensory decline (Bigman, 2020). Therefore, warming wet products may make them more desirable to older cats by altering the aroma profile and potentially decreasing hexanal and terpene levels in food.

Therefore, wet cat food must be warmed before serving it. There are several methods of safely warming your cat’s food: hot water, microwave oven or oven; however be mindful not to heat it too much as that could make the dish less appealing.

4. Storage

Once opened, wet cat food should be kept refrigerated in an airtight container to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. This is because wet cat food contains protein and fatty acids which may become rancid if not kept at a proper temperature.

In addition to the potential risk of bacterial growth, uncooked wet cat food has a high moisture content which can quickly become moldy or rotting if left out in the open. Therefore, it’s best to consume your wet cat food within a few days after opening it.

Dry cat food can be stored at room temperature, while canned food must be sealed and refrigerated immediately upon opening. This is especially crucial for older cats, kittens, and pregnant female cats.