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How to store pet food at home

The method of storing food can greatly affect the freshness, nutrition, and taste of food. In addition, a fairly common cause of poisoning is a spoiled product. In order to store dry food properly, you must keep it in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container. Canned food should be stored in the refrigerator (not in the freezer!) in a closed container after opening and discard after a few days if not consumed.

The Council: buy as much food as you think your pet can eat at a certain time. Do not buy food by weight: you do not know how long the food is in the open state.

Food should not be sold in the open state! It loses its usefulness, nutrition, sometimes just dangerous for the pet!

Yes, you just don’t know if you’re buying exactly the food you want. If it is profitable for you to buy food by weight, then think about the possible consequences of using a spoiled product and possible financial losses in the treatment of your pet.

There is always a way out: you can buy food by cooperating with relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Food should not be sold in the open state! It loses its usefulness, nutrition, sometimes just dangerous for the pet!

  • Store food in a dry, cool, sun-protected environment that does not exceed 36 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures lead to the destruction of nutritional properties, vitamins, makes food rancid.
  • Keep the food in its original packaging with a zip lock or a special container for food. Plastic bags or simple containers have a smell that can greatly change the taste of food. Always roll the top of the feed tightly (if stored in its original packaging) to better seal it. Tip: on the outside of the container, place information about the feed, including the expiration date, manufacturer and brand names, UPC code, and batch number. Make sure you change the label every time you open a new bag of food.
  • Do not store dry food on the ground, in a garage, or in a cold or wet basement (only wet food can be stored there). At normal temperatures in the apartment, it is better to store food in storerooms or kitchen cabinets without access to your Pets (and small children, of course).
  • Wet food should not be left in the bowl for more than four hours. If the pet has not eaten the entire portion, it should be thrown away and the bowl should be thoroughly washed. The best option would be to adjust the feeding rate at a time.
  • Place the remaining wet food in the refrigerator. The temperature of the refrigerator should be approximately 4.5-8 degrees Celsius. You can’t freeze food. Open cans can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days (preferably less). Any open canned food that has not been consumed during these days should be discarded.
  • In the refrigerator, it is better to store open canned food in closed quality (odorless) containers. It can be stored in cans when tightly closed with a plastic lid. Before serving, warm up the wet food to room temperature (you can use a microwave oven).
  • If you are going for a walk or on a trip, choose a convenient purse or bag for storing food or treats.

You can buy online some interesting things for your pet at Homelab Pet Store.

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How Long Will Dogs, Cats, and Other Creatures Live?

Do You Want a Pet That Lives a Long Time?

This is a question you should consider seriously before you adopt any animal. Getting a pet is not a light decision to make, so you’ll need to be very realistic about how much time you can commit. 

When choosing a pet, it’s smart to consider how long it will likely live. Look at the list below to see the average lifespans of common pets.

How Long Do Pets Live?

Type of Pet Average Life Expectancy (In Captivity) Additional Info
Small Dog (under 20 lbs) 13 years Chihuahuas often live 12-20 years. 
Medium Dog (20-89 lbs) 11 years An Australian cattle dog holds the record of oldest dog at 29 years.
Large Dog (over 90 lbs) 8 years Spayed or neutered dogs live longer.
Indoor-Only Cat 12-18 years The oldest recorded cat lived to be 28 years old!
Cat Who Lives Outside All the Time 2-5 years Outdoor cats are more exposed to illness and accident.
Goldfish 5-10 years The oldest captive goldfish lived 43 years!
Betta Fish 2 years The world’s oldest specimen is 10 years old.
Neon Tetra 5 years A ten-year-old tetra is not uncommon. In general, larger types of fish have longer life expectancies than smaller types.
Koi 25-35 years The oldest koi on record lived 226 years!
Budgie/Parakeet 5-8 years Budgies are prone to tumors. The oldest lived 29 years.
Cockatiel 16-25 years The oldest recorded cockatiel lived 36 years.
Large Parrot Macaws: 50 years Cockatoos: 65 years One cockatoo lived 82 years. Charlie, a blue macaw born in 1899, is still alive!
Hamster 2-3 years The oldest hamster on record lived 4.5 years.
Guinea Pig 4-8 years 14 years is the longest recorded lifespan.
Rabbit or Bunny 7-10 years Oldest rabbit lived 14 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller ones, and those that live outside die sooner.
Rat 2 years Wild and store-bought “feeder” rats tend to die sooner than “fancy” types. Oldest lived 7 years.
Mouse 1-2 years Mice are social and live longer with other mice. The oldest specimen lived almost 5 years!
Ferret 5-9 years Oldest ferrets live from 14 to 15 years. If you wait until the ferret is mature to spay/neuter, the animal may live longer.
Snake 9 years average. Largest types can live up to 40 years. Some snakes fare better in the wild than in captivity. One ball python lived 48 years.
Lizard Smallest live 3-5 years; Largest live up to 20. Many lizards live longer in the wild. Oldest bearded dragon lived 14 years; the oldest tuarara lived over 100 years.
Gecko 6-10 years Males tend to outlive females. The oldest captive leopard gecko lived to 27. Geckos may live longer in the wild.
Turtle/Tortoise 40-50 years Many captive turtles don’t get the care they need to live full lives. Oldest tortoise on record lived 225 years.
Chicken 8-10 years Chickens thrive in groups, but pecking order may influence lifespan. Oldest recorded lived to 15.
Horse or Pony 25-33 years Ponies tend to live longer than horses. The oldest horse ever recorded was 52 years old.

Choosing a Pet for Life

There are several factors to consider when choosing a type of pet.

  • Kids. If you have children, lifespan is an important consideration. It might be difficult for them to get attached to a pet only to lose it after a short time. On the other hand, maybe you want to choose a pet that only lasts until the kids go off to college!
  • Attention span. If you are the faithful, tenacious, dogged type, making a 30 year commitment won’t be hard. But if you know that you tend to get distracted or lose interest quickly, you should avoid adopting a long-lived pet.
  • Lifestyle. Pets need consistency. If you travel often or can’t be pinned down to a steady schedule, then many of these pets are not for you.
  • Housing considerations. Most animals’ lives depend on specific environmental requirements (a yard, a pen, an open window…). You might not be able to ensure consistency if you rent or move often.
  • Financial considerations. When you take a pet on, you commit to taking care of them financially for life. The longer a pet lives, the larger financial burden it will be.
  • The last years can be the hardest. Old age brings complications and visits to the vet, so you should expect your pet’s last years to be the most challenging.