How Long Can Raw Dog Food Stay In The Fridge – PetDogsLife
How long can raw dog food stay in the fridge? You can keep it refrigerated for only three or four days. After that, the bacteria will start to multiply which could lead to the growth of harmful contaminants like E coli.
You should always store your dog food in the refrigerator because it keeps it fresh longer. However, you shouldn’t leave it in there too long.
And try to serve the food to your pet in stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowls whenever possible, since they are healthier than plastic ones.
If you are interested in knowing more details about how much time a raw diet should be stored in the fridge or not then go through this:
Table of Contents
Should Raw Dog Food Be Stored In The Fridge?
The raw dog food should be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days depending on what type of recipe you have made.
The reason why we don’t suggest storing a raw food diet in the fridge for more than three or four days is simply that most breeds require enough water intake during their active periods.
So, if the food stays in the fridge for too long without being eaten you may actually increase the chances of dehydration.
Why Does Raw Dog Food Need To Be Frozen?
A good quality raw food diet does need to be frozen if we want to prevent spoilage. That’s mainly because when food starts to spoil it emits gases that affect our dog’s noses and cause other health complications.
Therefore, we recommend freezing the foods in order to avoid these problems. However, if you prefer to freeze the food yourself, make sure to remove as much air inside the bag by gently squeezing it out before sealing it with the freezer.
How Long Can Raw Dog Food Stay In Fridge? For Shorter Or Longer Time?
Normally, if used correctly, raw dog food stays in the fridge for 3-4 days but sometimes, it could go longer than that. You can increase the shelf life by freezing raw food in zip-lock bags or by leaving it out in the sun (but don’t leave the food exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods).
Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeding your dog raw meat as long as it is cooked thoroughly first before feeding your dog. It’s also recommended not to feed your dog any type of uncooked meat, not even ground beef.
Only cook it well and then feed it to your dog. When cooking meat for dogs, make sure you use very high heat – between 260 ° F / 130 ° C to 350 ° F / 180 ° C.
Is Raw Meat OK For The Dog?
Of course, yes. It is a great source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. A moderate amount of raw meat is essential to provide energy to the body when its muscles need the most energy for physical activity.
But too much raw meat can cause salmonella in your dog. This is mainly due to an imbalance of the types of proteins found in their digestive system and stomach lining. So, the best thing is to stick with a moderate portion of raw meat.
Are Freeze-Dried Raw Foods As Good As Raw?
Freeze-dried raw products are a lot better than raw meat. They are easy to prepare, highly digestible, delicious, and nutritious. But they are still considered semi-raw diets. While raw meat has chances of getting contaminated quickly after preparation, freeze-drying preserves nutrition, taste, and texture forever.
Does Raw Meat Help Your Puppy Grow Faster?
Yes, it surely will help your puppy grow faster. One of the main reasons why puppies tend to stop growing fast is because they lack a sufficient volume of calcium in their bones.
Due to improper dietary habits, they tend to suffer from bone loss and poor growth. A few spoonfuls of raw chicken meat each day can definitely help your puppy get stronger, healthier, and bigger.
Just remember that it’s best to take your dog’s age and weight into consideration when planning his/her food regimen.
Do Dogs Prefer Raw Or Cooked Meat?
While both cooked and raw meats are okay as far as your dog’s nutritional needs are concerned, some dogs just do better when fed raw meat because there is less risk of contamination.
Also, since raw meat is full of enzymes that aid in digestion, it seems to be easier for them to process it compared to processed foods.
What Meat Should Dog Avoid?
Pork, tuna fish, shrimp, and other seafood should always be avoided. These contain high levels of salts and fats which may have negative effects on your dog’s nervous system and digestive system.
Food high in fat, salt, and cholesterol cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs. Therefore, it’s best for your dog’s health to stick only to healthy cuts of fresh animal flesh and poultry.
Conclusion
In the end, I hope these answers about how long can raw dog food stay in the fridge? were helpful. Thanks for reading!