Storing dog treats correctly is essential to maintaining their flavor and keeping them safe for your furry friend.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to store dog treats for maximum freshness.
From the right packaging to temperature control, you’ll learn how to keep your pup’s treats as good as the day you bought them.
What Are The Best Ways To Store Dog Treats For Freshness?
When it comes to finding the best way to store your dog’s treats, it’s important to think about both their safety and quality.
Refrigerating Or Freezing
Freezing and refrigerating treats is an excellent way to ensure that your dog’s snacks remain fresher for a longer period of time, while also providing them with an exciting chewing experience.
This process is even mentally stimulating for dogs and is especially recommended for DIY treat makers who need to store their treats in larger batches.
Not only does it save costs, but food frozen at 0 degrees can last indefinitely. However, the longer these treats stay in the freezer, the flavor and quality of them may be compromised.
There are certain things to keep in mind when it comes to storing foods with meat in them.
When chilled in the refrigerator, homemade treats with meat only have a shelf life of 3 – 4 days; however, those with peanut butter can last around a week before they start going bad.
Air Tight Containers
Airtight containers are great for keeping your pet’s treats and food fresher for longer.
Not only do they provide an ideal way to keep items that have already been opened, but if the packaging is damaged or gone altogether, containers are invaluable for storing and preserving treats.
With a variety of sizes available, it’s easy to find one with the perfect fit for your treats, and food.
Whether you opt to store all your treats in one container or use separate airtight storage bins, it’s important to make sure they’re clean and dry before placing goodies inside them.
It also helps to check that the lid is a tight fit, so no air gets in, and the expiration date isn’t affected.
To know what’s inside each container, you can place a piece of tape on its exterior noting down the number of treats, UPC code, brand name, manufacturer information, and best-by date supplied with it – this will also help when swapping out old snacks as they reach their sell-by date.
How Best To Store Homemade Dog Treats
Keeping your canine companion supplied with healthy, chemical-free treats is just one way to show how much you care about their health and happiness.
However, making those homemade dog treats is a lot of work and can be quite costly when considering the ingredients and tools needed to bake them.
The last thing you want is for your hard-earned treats to spoil quickly or, worse, go bad before they’re even enjoyed by your pup.
Dry Them Thoroughly
Drying and dehydrating your dog treats is a great way to make them last longer without having to worry about spoilage.
Properly dried, store-bought, or homemade treats will provide your pup with a longer-lasting flavor, as well as be healthier for them. The process of drying these treats is quite simple when you know what steps to take.
First and foremost, be sure that you bake the dog treats until they are firm to the touch, but not over-browned or burned.
Once you’ve reached that stage, transfer the treats into a clean glass dish and turn off the oven before leaving them in there overnight.
When morning comes around, and you check on your treats, make sure they are hard and dry, so they can safely be served or stored away for later.
Use Natural Preservatives
Using natural preservatives in homemade dog treats can have huge benefits for dogs and their owners alike.
Natural preservatives offer the same benefits of extended shelf life as chemical preservatives – deterring unwanted bacteria or mold spoilage, allowing consumers to enjoy their dog treats for longer before needing to buy new supplies.
However, since natural preservatives are derived from natural sources, they provide a safe alternative that won’t compromise your dog’s well-being.
Common ingredients used as natural food preservatives include vitamin E oil and rosemary extract, two substances known to naturally resist mold growth and prevent discoloration in food.
When added to homemade dog treats during the cooking process, these ingredients can prevent them from going bad too quickly.
What Are The Best Tips For Keeping Your Dog Treats Fresh?
1. Choose the Right Packaging
Dog treats come in a variety of packaging, from resealable bags to plastic containers. For optimal freshness, choose an airtight container that seals completely when closed.
This will help keep moisture and air out, preventing spoilage and keeping your pup’s treats tasting great.
2. Store In A Cool, Dry Place
It’s important to keep dog treats away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
This means avoiding direct sunlight and hot, steamy kitchens. Instead, opt for a cool spot like a pantry or closet where they will be safe from temperature fluctuations.
3. Consider Refrigeration
If the treats are perishable or if they have a wet or moist texture, refrigeration may be necessary. This will help preserve their flavor and prevent spoilage.
However, you should keep in mind that treats that have been stored in a fridge can become dry and hard, so serve them quickly to your pup before they lose their flavor and texture.
4. Use Within 2 – 3 Months
Like human food, dog treats have a limited shelf life. Most treats will last up to two or three months before they start to lose their freshness and flavor.
To ensure that your pup is getting the highest quality treat possible, it’s best to use them within this window of time.
Final Thoughts
By following the steps above, you can help ensure that your pup’s treats stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
Hey everyone! My name is Sharon Isaacs, and I am one of the co-creators of PawPrintPets.com.
I knew from a young age that canines were the most interesting animals to me, and ever since I could study, read, and go to school I’ve been researching the best dog training practices.
I started PawPrintPets to provide in-depth guides and information to help you set up your canine companion for success, from the moment you have them.
