Does Maine Coon Dried Food Expire? What Must You Know

Does Maine Coon Dried Food Expire? What Must You Know

Maine Coons need a diet much higher in protein than other cat breeds to keep them healthy. Typically, a Maine Coon diet has to have around 40% protein as a kitten.

If you buy your Maine Coon food in bulk, how long can you expect the dried food to last on average?

Dried food for Maine Coons can last around 6 months once opened and exposed to air. Most dry food for Maine Coons comes in hermetically sealed bags with an expiration date of 1 year. You can increase longevity by storing in cool places, and once opened keeping in airtight containers.

Realistically speaking, an unopened bag will last several years, and once opened you have months before the food goes off and becomes stale.

In this article, we will be discussing the expiration date of dried food for Maine Coons.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to how long the cat food will last and you need to know what they are in order to have a better understanding.

Does Maine Coon Dried Food Expire?

In the simplest terms, yes, like any foodstuff, dried Maine Coon cat food will expire.

So, pellets will last for 6 months once a bag is opened if stored normally.

The “Best By” date on a bag of dry cat food is usually 6 months after the production date and preservatives are meant to keep it fresh. However, even if the original packaging is still sealed, the preservatives themselves can degrade into an ineffective compound over time

Dry food can be eaten until the “Use By” date. The bag should not be opened if you plan to store it for any longer than 6 months and should be discarded after 6 months.

After 6 months open, a bag of dry Maine Coon food will start to loose it’s nutritional value. It might still be edible, but the quality will degrade.

Dry food should never be stored in a refrigerator because the cold temperature can cause condensation and moisture, which leads to bacteria growth and nutrient deterioration.

Often, it’s just a case of using common sense. If the food was opened 8 months ago and smells fine then it’s probably still good to use.

If you can see mold growing on the dry food then it’s time to discard it.

How to Safely Store Dry Maine Coon Food?

Whenever you open a bag of dry cat food, it is good to know how long that bag will last before its quality and freshness start to decline.

It’s relatively easy to store in the home, but where you locate it can make a difference.

One of the hardest things about dry cat food is keeping it fresh for as long as possible without compromising the quality.

If not stored properly, there may be an increase in bacteria or parasitic infestations that can spoil the food.

The idea is to keep the food not only from spoiling but to keep the nutritional content of the food intact without any negative side effects.

Maine Coon Dry Food Should Be Kept In A Dry Place That’s Cool

Food goes bad because of oxygen and moisture.

Some of the common problems with dry cat food are food irradiation and the oxidation of fatty acids. But there is a way to avoid these issues- store them properly.

Keep them in the original bag, sealed if possible, in a cold dry area of the house. If you can make the food airtight in a container then all the better.

These foods should not be stored in areas, such as a hot garage or car, that would exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). If the food is left out and exposed to high temperatures for too long it may become rancid.

The food will certainly lose its nutritional value.

Keep The Dry Food In The Original Bag

Some owners will tip the food pellets out into a new container but keeping the food in the original packaging until you are ready to use it is a good idea.

You want to avoid breaking up and exposing any of the dry ingredients to humidity, which will cause them to go bad more quickly.

The only time you should transfer your cat’s food from its original container is when you’re feeding him wet food as well.

Why are food manufacturers so keen on keeping their food fresh? It has to do with a fat barrier that’s in the bag lining. A lot of bags are made of mylar which maintains integrity to keep the food fresh.

Long term food storage advocates use mylar bags for this reason.

These barriers are designed to preserve the freshness of dry food. The smell and taste can be preserved for as long as possible. A plastic bag is not ideal as it will allow some humidity to seep in, which can cause the food to go bad more quickly.

Another advantage to keeping the original bag is the food information is printed on the bag, along with nutritional information and expiration dates.

Recalls of cat food are uncommon but it’s best if you have the original bag so you can check.

Keep The Original Bag Within An Airtight Container

To preserve the taste and nutrition of your dry cat food, use the original bag and pack it into a sealed container.

It’s the best solution to keeping your Maine Coon’s dry food as fresh and as nutritional as possible.

Higher humidity lowers the shelf life of pet food, which is why you should seal cat food after every meal. Moisture slowly creeping into the food will create a breeding ground for bacteria.