Storing Arden Grange foods

By Ness Bird – Nutrition Adviser and RVN CertCFVHNut ©

Our dry food will retain all of its nutritional value, freshness and delicious flavour until the best before date so long as care is taken with its storage:

     1. Keep unopened packs in a cool, dry place away from condensation, other sources of moisture, direct heat and sunlight.

     2. Store unopened packs flat, on a level surface, and away from sharp or rough objects/edges to avoid accidental damage to

          the bags.

      3. Invest in a container to keep your open bag of dry food in. Make sure it has a lid to keep contaminants and vermin out. If

          your container is not kept in a cupboard, make sure the lid is secure, as a large quantity of dry food digested by a dog or

          cat could cause bloating.

     4. When opening a new bag of food, keep a note of the batch number and best-before date of your products just in case of

          any problem.

     5. If soaking dry food for your dog or cat, only soak the portion you are about to feed and cover it with a tea towel. Soak dry 

          food for no longer than about half an hour, otherwise it could attract flies or start to ferment in very warm conditions.

          Throw away any uneaten food. 

Our wet food is cooked in the can and will not be susceptible to any contaminants unless dented or pierced.

     1. Store cans with care to avoid damaging them.

     2. Keep the canned food in a cool, dry place too because direct heat could spoil the contents and texture. Moisture can

          cause rust which if left for some time can penetrate.

     3. Decant any unused canned food into a food-safe, lidded container. It can be kept for up to seventy two hours in the fridge.

         Our wet food can even be frozen if you are only using small portions. Freeze in portions for easy serving, and defrost

         before use. 

High sensitisation rates to the Tyrophagus, Acarus, and Lepidoglyphus species of storage mites have been reported in atopic animals, and studies have indicated that dry dog and cat food can be a suitable substrate for storage mite reproduction. Environmental conditions may influence food contamination and mite development, so taking special care with the storage of dry food can make a significant difference. For sensitive animals, a small container kept on the kitchen counter for daily use means that the rest of the food can be stored separately and is not exposed to air, moisture and environmental contaminants
every time your pet is fed. If financially viable; smaller packs are a good idea for these animals.

Our dry food can be frozen in portions too (defrost before use) and it can also be vacuum packed. For sensitive pets, if you do not soak the food before feeding, it can be sprayed with water before serving to try and limit any dust which may be otherwise inhaled.

Our dry food does not arrive with storage mites, but they can take up residence when the pack is opened. Storage mites seem to favour cereal-heavy, dusty food, so selecting a high quality product such as Arden Grange with a moderate carbohydrate content comprised of potato or high quality whole grains, a sensible fat content and a generous portion of protein may minimise the risk of mite contamination.