The Best Dog Food Containers (Review) in 2019

Benefits of Using Dog Food Containers

There’s a multitude of benefits to using pet food storage, since you’ll inevitably have the same positives as opening up a completely fresh bag of dog food, every time you go to feed your dog. The key is to simply try and get an airtight dry dogfood container. Then you’ll be able to benefit from a range of advantages, including a full length of shelf life.

Usually, once you open your pet’s food, the air will inevitably work its way in and the kibble will immediately, if slowly, begin to decompose. This typically means you’ll have to buy smaller bags of pet food, in order to feed your pooch only the best, meaning that you miss on bulk buys and end up spending more money, over time. If you use a large dog food container, however, you’ll be able to get those big bags, as the food will stay fresher for longer.

Dog food storage also stops your dog from gaining access to food before he or she should. As we all know, dogs are complete opportunists and will jump on any chance to get some food, no matter what the risks. It’s a natural instinct and completely understandable, if a little frustrating. However, using dry dog food containers keeps those keen noses away from their food- saving you money and stopping your dog from suffering with weight gain. This is especially beneficial for those dogs who are on a strict diet- as too much of a good thing can do some serious harm, in these cases.

Dog food bins are also great for keeping out any creepy crawlies, which is great for your sanity but also for your pet’s general health. Imagine coming across a few spider eggs or a load of ants, when going to feed your dog, one day- no thanks.

Speaking of keeping things out- mold and bacteria love dog food, because it’s usually stored in damp, warm places- perfect for multiplying. But having dog food storage that keeps out any unusual warmth and moisture can stop these nasties in their tracks, allowing your dog’s food to keep fresher, for longer.

Finally, you’ll probably notice that a lot of our suggestions above have wheels- these are perfect for when you need to bring the food out of a storage area, such as under the stairs or in a cupboard. No more lugging heavy bags of food around! And you can simply push them back in to place when they’re done.

With all the added bonuses that having a suitable dog food storage bin adds, it’s hard to argue as to why you wouldn’t want a food container for dogs. Especially when you consider that their prices, even for a one-off purchase, are actually surprisingly low in our top choices.

Tips for Storing Dry Dog Food

Even with a food container, there are always going to be some minor slip-ups which cause the food bins to fall short of their job, but if you follow these instructions, you can be sure you won’t have any issues. Meaning your purchase won’t be wasted and you’ll have a happy home and happy dog!

• If the storage bin is big enough, try to store the whole bag of food in the dog food container. If you throw the bag itself away, you’re likely to miss out on some important information kept on the side of the wrapping. Things like barcodes and lot numbers are part of the essential information, if something were to be wrong with the dog. And if there are any recalls, you’ll need to check this info. On top of this, the bag itself is coated with a sealant, which helps the food to stay fresher, for longer.
• Dry food should usually be finished at around the 6-week mark and the best before dates will usually indicate when that is, so pay attention to those dates marked on the side of the bag.
• You should also keep your storage container somewhere that’s cool and dark, to avoid sun-bleaching or the food being broken down by the heat.
• Give your dog food containers a rinse out between each new purchase. Especially if you are working your way onto a new brand. This is good practice to keep out cross-contamination and also means your food will stay fresh, due to the lack of dust from the previous bag of kibble. Oils and fats also have a bad habit of settling at the bottom over time, so wiping these away keeps these from stagnating.

What Type of Material is Best for Dog Food Storage?

As with most things, you’ll likely see a few pros and cons to all different material types. The most common types you’re likely to come across are glass, metal, ceramic and plastic. Since glass and ceramic aren’t especially viable for dog food containers (a happy dog, jumping up for food and an easily breakable object do not usually mix too well) we’ll focus on the other two:

Metal is a classic that works well for storage. They tend to be easy to clean and easy to maintain. Providing you aren’t keeping your containers in a damp area, they’re likely to have a good longevity. They also tend to be surprisingly lightweight, while also looking sleek and stylish. If you have a modern kitchen, this material would work perfectly.

One thing you should be aware of, is that any dents or malformations in the metal can easily become dangerous, and it’s advised that, should your metal container become damaged, you should recycle it and buy yourself a new one, to avoid anything toxic getting into your dog’s food.

Plastic, on the other hand, tends to be cheaper for starters. They’re also extremely lightweight and tend to be more airtight than their metal counterparts, since they usually come with rubber seals and lock-lids. In warm conditions, they won’t get as hot as metal and therefore your kibble is less likely to spoil.

On the other hand, most plastic containers tend to be opaque, so food can become sun-bleached this way. You’ll also need to look out for cheaper makes- for the best plastic, you should look out for types that are BPA-free, as these are less likely to carry harmful materials which can cause serious damage over time.

Best Dog Food Container FAQ:

Q: How long can I leave a bowl of dog food out?

A: There are a few factors to consider here. If you’re looking for dry dog food/kibble, you could technically leave a bowl of dog food out through the day and base the dog’s intake on how many cups they should have. Don’t leave your dog food on the floor for longer than a day and be sure to replace any uneaten food, for the next day (if you dog has a sudden lack of appetite, be sure to ring your local vet about ways to help with this).

You can also give your dog a time-limited amount to eat. This would mean putting smaller bowls of food down, through the day, at the same time each day. This gives your dog a routine and also works well for house-training your puppy, as they’ll usually need the bathroom shortly after having their dinner!

If you’re choosing wet food, however, you shouldn’t allow the food to stand for longer than an hour. Not only would this attract flies (yuck) but the food quickly turns foul and can cause stomach upsets in your pup.

Q: How long can kibble last in an open bag?

A: Kibble bags are treated in order to prolong the food stored inside, and most dog food makers advise generally around 6 weeks before the food goes bad. If you do leave your kibble in an open bag, be sure to try and wrap the top, to limit the amount of air available to the inside of the dog food bag.

Q: What temperature should dry dog food be stored?

A: Dog food should always be kept in a cool, dry area. Somewhere like under the stairs, in a cupboard or the garage is ideal, since the best temperature to keep dog food below 70F and a humidity of around 15%

Q: Can dry dog food go stale?

A: Absolutely. Imagine an open bag of dog in the same way you’d picture an open box of cereal. You might be OK leaving the bag open from time-to-time but it’s not going to taste too great if it’s open for a while, or if you leave their food out for an extended period.

Our Top Pick

Even though there are some great options on our best buys, we decided to go with the IRIS stackable dog food containers as it’s hard to turn down such a great offering at such a good price. This is a great addition for any pet owner looking to store their pet’s food in plastic container. It’s easy to maintain, comes in a range of colors and holds a huge amount of food. Plus, the scoop with easy-to-measure half cup increments and the added bonus of the extra, stacked food bin was too much to pass by- we hope you’ll agree!

Sources: 

1. How to Store Dog Food - wikiHow
2. 5 Pet Food Storage Mistakes that Could Make Your Pet Sick - PetMD
3. How to Keep Your Dog’s Food Fresh - PetMD