I’ve often heard people ask about how to store dog food, specifically dry dog food.
Many people think that keeping it in the original container is just fine.
Unfortunately, it isn’t.
The original bag may be good enough for sitting on a store shelf, but it offers little protection against pests, vermin, and your little fuzzy buddy.
So, let’s look at some tips on how to store dog food the right way!
How to Store Dog Food for Maximum Safety and Freshness
If you read my dog food storage safety tips article, you already know why it’s never a good idea to store dry dog food in its original container.
If you haven’t had the chance to peruse the article, I’ll go over it again.
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Why is it so important to store dog food the right way?
When addressing the question of how to store dog food, there’s one thing you really need to remember:
The original bag your dry dog food comes in is not the greatest for keeping your food safe and fresh.
That bag is merely the cheapest way for the company to transport their food.
It’s only meant to get the food from the factory to the store to your home.
It’s far cheaper for them to replace a ripped bag than it is for them to package it in a tough, durable container of some sort.
That’s why it’s extremely important to transfer your dry food from the original bag to a safe container immediately.
What type of container should you use?

My personal pick – and the only one I recommend – when it comes to properly storing dog food, is a durable plastic bin, like this one:
- Keeps Food Fresh and Flavorful: our GAMMA SEAL TECHNOLOGY, featuring a threaded locking system and double gaskets, create a controlled moisture balance making it the ideal airtight dog food storage container (suitable for cat food, too)
- Say Goodbye to Pesky Pests: In addition to locking in freshness and flavor, GAMMA SEAL TECHNOLOGY keeps pests out, stopping ants and other insects out of this cat or dog food storage vault. Perfect for dry pet food
- Food-safe and BPA-Free: Engineered with strength and durability in mind, Vittles Vaults Dog and Cat Food Storage containers made of food-grade, durable BPA-free HDPE plastic that won't shatter if dropped and can be kept inside, in garages, or outdoors
- Stackable design to save space: This versatile pet food storage container often used as a dog food container, cat food storage container even food for goats, birds, etc. Its unique, stackable design often saves space compared to other containers.
- Proudly Made in the USA: Unlike many other pet food storage containers, Vittles Vaults are manufactured in the USA with quality and craftsmanship you can trust. Capacity is based on the shape and density of kibble. When in doubt; round up to the next size
When you really look at the question of how to store dog food, a bin is really the best option.
A high quality, durable plastic bin protects your dry dog food from rodents, bugs, moisture, outside contaminants, and yes, even your own dog.
A dog food bag can’t do any of that.
The problem with keeping your dog’s food in the bag
Like I said earlier, the bag your dog’s food comes in was not made for anything beyond transporting it to your home.
In other words, it’s not a long-term storage solution.
First, it is easily chewed through by rodents.
Not only will these furry little pests gorge themselves on your expensive premium kibble, they carry all sorts of diseases.
Second, there’s no effective way to reseal it to keep out bugs,
Last (and most likely to occur), your dog can very easily tear into the bag and help himself to an all-you-can-eat buffet.
If this happens, Fido can eat himself into a potentially fatal condition called bloat.
Bloat occurs when a dog eats for too much far too quickly.
His stomach literally bloats from the food and air he swallowed while gulping down all that food.
While that in itself is painful, it can cause the stomach to fold over on itself, which could very easily lead to death.
So when you address the question of how to store dog food, the only answer, in my opinion, is a tough, durable plastic bin.
You can find them at any home improvement or general goods store.
Just remember to get one with a lid that securely locks into place to prevent your dog from busting into it and eating itself stupid. =D
What is your favorite type of plastic bin to use to store dog food? Tell us in the comments.
Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API