🥣 How to Store Pet Food Properly & Avoid War with Ants & Co
It all started with a rat.
Yes, an actual rat. Not Blaze barking at shadows at 1 a.m., not Raya doing her elegant “I smell something sus” prance. An brown furry rat — bold, cocky, and suspiciously well-fed — running across my pantry like he paid rent.
I screamed in panic, Tolu screamed in excitement, the twins joined the chorus, and Stu? That cat casually blinked from his perch on top of the fridge like, “Y’all fix your own mess.” Long story short, we traced the culprit back to one thing: an open bag of kibble I had carelessly rolled up and tucked in a corner. Lesson learned. I now treat pet food like it's gold dust.
🐾 Did You Know?
Rodents and insects are attracted to pet food because it often contains meat, fat, and grains—making it an easy buffet for pests. Plus, moisture and heat can quickly turn food rancid.
In fact, according to the FDA, improper storage of dry pet food can lead to contamination by Salmonella and mold toxins, both of which are dangerous for pets and humans alike. 😨
💡 Here’s What I Know (Now That I’ve Been Shamed by a Rat):
✅Pet food bags aren’t airtight on their own, no matter how nicely you roll them up.
✅Light, heat, and moisture are the enemies of dry pet food.
✅Ants are vengeful creatures and will send an army if they taste kibble once.
✅Even if it’s dry, pet food still goes bad—and faster than you think.
✅Cats are suspicious of anything that doesn't smell the same every time. Ask Stu.
👩🏾🏫 Here’s What We’re Practicing at Home (For Sanity & Safety):
✍️We pour all dry kibble into airtight containers with lids. I found this lovely translucent one with a scoop online (see link below). It changed my life.
✍️We store all food in the coolest corner of the kitchen, away from sunlight and stove heat.
✍️Wet food? Straight to the fridge once opened. Label it. Date it. (And warn your husband it's not tuna!)
✍️We never mix new food with old leftovers anymore. We rotate based on expiration dates.
✍️I have a “pet shelf” now. Like a VIP zone. Even Stu respects it sometimes.
🚨 What You Should Take Seriously:
⏹️Check expiry dates on every pet food pack—don’t just assume because it’s dry, it’ll last forever.
⏹️Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage—they trap moisture.
⏹️If your pet suddenly refuses food, it might not be pickiness—it might be spoiled.
⏹️Never store food in the garage unless it’s temperature-controlled.
⏹️Kids should not scoop food with wet or dirty hands. Moisture ruins everything. (Ask Demi.)
🛍️ Fave Finds for Pet Food Storage:
💯 IRIS USA 3-Piece Airtight Pet Food Container Combo
💯 OXO Good Grips POP Container
💯 Chalkboard Label Stickers – So you don’t confuse suya spice with fish food again 😬
🐀 How the Rat Saga Ended
We called in our estate pest control. One week later, Blaze finally stopped sniffing the pantry with suspicion. Stu now peers under the fridge like a detective. Tolu named the rat “Jollof,” by the way, and made a comic strip about his life and untimely demise.
Moral of the story? Don’t store your dog’s food carelessly.
📝 Final Thoughts
⭐ Airtight containers = happier pets + no pest drama
⭐ Label everything, rotate stock, and keep things dry
⭐ Don’t leave pet food bags “just rolled up” in the corner like me
⭐ If your cat is ignoring you, check if his food smells funky
🐕 Up Next on Paws, Kids & Plantain
Topic: “Dry Food vs Wet Food: Which Is Better for Your Pets?”
Choice is a universal right that God gave mankind, but it seems animals are not left out either. When your pet refuses a certain food, don't force them, find out why. You never know what you might discover.
😅 Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may earn a small commission to restock Blaze’s snack stash or bribe Raya into behaving.
No pressure though—it's not as if Stu will drop her judgy attitude because of small fish.
Until next time,
Live, Love, and Learn,
Nene Ajayi,
(Wife. Mother. Pet-Feed Storage Inspector.)
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