Whether you’ve already placed an order, or contemplating making the switch, understanding how to preserve Just Food For Dogs is crucial.
Today, I would like to provide you with a clear guide on storage durations, refrigeration needs, and suggestions to ensure your dog gets a meal that’s both tasty and nutritionally intact.
Need To Place A Just Food For Dogs Order?
How Long Does Just Food For Dogs Last?
Just Food For Dogs shelf-life ranges from 3 days for opened thawed fish to 2 years for unopened pantry-fresh. DIY frozen foods can last up to a year if vacuum-sealed. After opening, some products and treats require refrigeration.
Frozen Just Food For Dogs Food
When you purchase frozen food, it has an impressive shelf-life of up to 18 months or 547 days in the freezer.
However, for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, such as DIY or repackaging buckets of frozen food, it lasts 6 to 8 weeks.
The key factor here is how much air you remove while packaging.
By vacuum-sealing, as I personally do, you can ensure the food remains fresh in the freezer for a remarkable duration of up to one year.
Thawed Food – Fish
Fish-based recipes from Just Food For Dogs, once thawed, should be consumed quickly for optimal freshness.
These recipes remain fresh for up to 5 days when sealed in their original package.
But once you’ve opened it, it’s best to use it within 3 days.
Thawed Food – All Other Proteins
The thawed meals that feature proteins other than fish have a slightly longer shelf-life.
They stay fresh for up to 7 days when sealed in the original package.
After opening, it’s recommended to consume them within 5 days to ensure your pet gets the best quality meal.
Pantry Fresh
The pantry-fresh version of Just Food For Dogs is particularly long-lasting.
It remains fresh for up to two years from the date it was manufactured.
However, once you’ve opened it, consume it within 5 days and remember to refrigerate it to maintain its freshness.
All Treats
Treats from Just Food For Dogs can be stored for up to a year from their manufacture date.
The protein treats, like chicken breast, beef brisket, and venison, should be refrigerated after you open them to keep them fresh for your furry friend.
Does Just Food For Dogs Have To Be Refrigerated?
Just Food For Dogs does not need to be refrigerated if it is unopened. However, it should be refrigerated once opened, or once thawed.
The importance of refrigeration is rooted in preserving the freshness and nutritional quality of the food.
Refrigeration slows down bacterial growth, ensuring the safety of the food.
When food remains at room temperature, especially once exposed to the air after being opened or thawed, bacteria and mold find it an ideal environment to thrive.
This not only affects the taste and aroma, making it less appealing to your pet, but can also compromise the health benefits the food offers.
For products like the pantry-fresh variety, while they have a longer shelf-life, the natural ingredients within them are still susceptible to spoilage once exposed to air.
Refrigerating these items helps maintain their flavor, texture, and overall quality.
Additionally, certain treats, especially those rich in protein such as chicken breast, beef brisket, and venison, can lose their freshness quickly.
Refrigeration helps in extending their shelf-life post-opening, ensuring every treat you give is as tasty and nutritious as intended.
How Long Can Just Food For Dogs Be Left Out?
Just Food For Dogs should not be left out for more than 2-3 hours once opened or thawed. If it exceeds this duration, it’s safer to discard the food.
The reasoning behind this recommendation lies in the natural and preservative-free formulation of Just Food For Dogs.
Since the product is made from fresh ingredients, similar to human food, it’s more susceptible to bacterial growth at room temperature, especially after being exposed to air.
Bacteria thrive in warmer environments and can multiply rapidly, potentially turning a nutritious meal into a health risk.
Furthermore, the growth of bacteria doesn’t just pose health risks, but it can also alter the taste, texture, and aroma of the food.
As the food sits out, it loses its freshness, making it less appealing to your dog.
If you feel as if you may forget to refrigerate the food immediately, or have a busy lifestyle, setting a reminder or alarm can be a practical solution.
Another tip is to serve portions that your dog will consume in one go, minimizing the time the food spends outside the fridge.
Do You Warm Up Just Food For Dogs?
Just Food for Dogs has already been cooked and doesn’t need to be heated, but you can warm it up if your dog would prefer it.
Warming up the food can make it more aromatic, potentially making it more appealing to some dogs.
Just like humans, dogs can have preferences when it comes to the temperature of their food.
A warm meal can mimic the sensation of freshly cooked food and be especially comforting in colder weather.
If you decide to warm up Just Food for Dogs, it’s essential to do it safely to ensure the food remains nutritious and safe. Here’s how:
- Microwaving: Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Heat it on a medium setting in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating. Always check the temperature before serving to ensure it’s lukewarm and not too hot.
- Water Bath: Pour hot water (not boiling) into a large bowl. Place the sealed package or a smaller bowl containing the food into the hot water, allowing it to sit until warmed. Stir the food to make sure it’s evenly heated.
- Stovetop: Using a saucepan, heat the food on low heat, stirring frequently to avoid sticking or overcooking. Once it’s warm, remove it from the stove and let it cool a bit before serving.
Always check the food’s temperature with your fingertip before serving to ensure it’s not too hot for your dog.
Remember, the goal is lukewarm and pleasant, not hot.
Finally
In choosing Just Food For Dogs, you’re prioritizing quality nutrition for your dog.
Nevertheless, by transitioning to fresh food, it’s essential you understand the product’s shelf-life to ensure every meal is appetizing, safe and nutritionally optimal.
By following the provided guidelines, you’ll maximize the food’s lifespan and offer your dog consistently tasty and nutritious meals, making your investment in premium pet food truly worthwhile.
Need To Place A Just Food For Dogs Order?
Related Guides:
- How to Safely Thaw and Defrost Just Food For Dogs
- Where Can I Buy Just Food For Dogs? [Here Is The Best Place]
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.