Phoebe Cooper · Aug 25, 2022 · All
Author: Keren Dinkin
Co-author: Phoebe Cooper If you’re a dog owner, there’s a good chance you have a variety of dog treats on hand for rewarding your pet, and you, and certainly your pup, want to keep them fresh and edible for as long as possible.
Stowing treats away is also a great way to keep your clever dog from sneaking one for itself while your attention is elsewhere.
Continue reading to view our recommendations on the best methods for storing dog treats.
Different Ways to Store Dog Treats
#1. Resealable Bags & Choosing the Right Treats
As a dog owner, it can be difficult finding treats that you feel comfortable sharing with your beloved companion.
While many brands use copious amounts of chemicals and preservatives to ensure the longevity of their products, Natural Farm bones, treats, and chews have created a new standard for the industry by offering safe, natural, healthy, and high-quality products without the use of anything harmful in the formulation or production process.
While our products are safe and wholesome, they still have an excellent shelf life of two years! Not only that, but they’re sold in eco-friendly resealable pouches that do a wonderful job of keeping treats fresh from the moment they’re received.
Natural Farm uses only premium, sustainable, and ethically sourced ingredients from trusted suppliers, and every batch is thoroughly lab tested to ensure their quality and safety, so it’s a no-brainer!
Click the button below to view our full range today:
View All Treats
#1. Freezing & Refrigerating
If resealable bags aren’t your desired form of storage or you’re looking to prolong the life of your treats even more, freezing and refrigerating treats offer great options to achieve that.
Freezing and refrigerating acts to keep treats and chews fresher longer, and they also increase your dog’s chew time while providing them a more exciting overall chew experience.
As freezing and refrigerating treats makes them denser, more so in the case of freezing, dogs may enjoy or even prefer the experience of a chew that begins harder and colder that thaws and becomes softer over time. In fact, this process is mentally stimulating for dogs!
Furthermore, most DIY dog treat makers make treats in larger batches and store a portion for later consumption. Freezing the excess offers a cost-effective way to ensure your dog always has their favorite treats at hand, or… at paw.
It's important to note that while the US Food and Drug Administration endorses that food frozen at 0 degrees can stay safe indefinitely, we don’t recommend keeping them frozen forever, and a longer stint inside the freezer can negatively impact the flavor and quality of the goodies.
If you have homemade treats with meat in them, it’s important to note that 3-4 days are all they’re good for when stored in the fridge.
Baked dog treats with peanut butter can last a bit longer when chilled – about a week is good for these.
But, regardless of whether you’re freezing or chilling your dog treats, do ensure that they’re not warm before being placed inside the fridge or freezer as it can breed moisture. Moisture can shorten the treats' lifespan, and your dog will also have a soggy, undesirable biscuit .
Also keep in mind that because freezing and refrigerating makes treats denser, this may impact your dog’s preferred chew strength. A chew that’s fit for a dog with a moderate chew capacity could become too hard for them after being frozen, at least temporarily.
#3. Air-Tight Containers
Air-tight containers are a great method for keeping dogs treats fresh, especially if you lose or damage the resealable bags they came in.
If you opt to partition and store chews, treats, and food in separate air-tight containers, check that your container is dry and clean and that the lid is a tight fit.
Always remember to save the lot number, UPC, brand, manufacturer, and "best by" date. You can write this information on a piece of tape, place it on the outside of the storage containers, and replace them as necessary.
General Tips When Storing Dog Treats
- Keep your dog’s treats and unopened canned wet treats in a cool and dry place. These should be stored at temperatures below 80°F.
- Do not automatically transfer your dog treats to a "just-emptied" container. To eliminate the crumbs and residual fat from the previous batch, wash and dry the containers first.
- Know when you place pouches or leftover canned treats inside your refrigerator and dispose of them correctly if it’s been more than three days.
- If you have one, use a vacuum sealer before refrigerating or freezing the treats if using resealable plastic bags.
- Do not mix different dog treats together. Group them based on flavor, treat type, and batch.
- If your dog doesn’t like their treats to be cold, then give the treats time to thaw and reach room temperature when fresh from the freezer or fridge. Heat it if possible so it will be more appealing to your dog.
- It’s incredibly handy and practical if all treats are labeled. This is especially helpful when you have several dogs in the house – you can easily see which treat is for the picky eater and which is for the one that is satisfied with anything.
Final Thoughts
Keep your dog happy by having a ready supply of treats. Rewarding them in real-time is part of positive reinforcement and a way to show your love.
By storing dog treats properly, you don't waste any dog food and keep your house organized – a win-win for you and your pet.
And remember, you can choose the very best for your pet by selecting Natural Farm.
FAQs
Airtight containers are ideal for storing homemade dog treats. But, as above, make sure your dog treats are completely dry. Expel as much air as possible from the likes of ziplock bags and other deflatable storage containers as air equals moisture which in turn equals mould.
What is the best way to store homemade dog treats? ›
Air-tight containers are a great method for keeping dogs treats fresh, especially if you lose or damage the resealable bags they came in. If you opt to partition and store chews, treats, and food in separate air-tight containers, check that your container is dry and clean and that the lid is a tight fit.
How to make dog treats that last a long time? ›
In general, the drier and crunchier the treat the better it will store and the longer it will stay fresh. For most treat recipes you can increase the crunch-factor by drying them out a bit more at the end of their recommended baking time.
How to keep homemade dog treats from getting moldy? ›
All you need is a dehydrator or to keep your treats inside your oven overnight. (After you turn off your oven, leave the treats in the oven with the door shut). Dehydrating your dog treats will help in taking extra moisture out of them giving them a longer shelf life.
How to store natural dog chews? ›
It's essential to store natural chews properly to keep them fresh and safe for your pup. The three best ways to store beef cheeks and other natural chews are by tightly sealing them in a plastic bag, keeping them in the freezer, or storing them at room temperature in an air-tight container.
What is a good preservative for homemade dog treats? ›
Many ingredients of our organic dog treats have great nutritional profiles, and some can also help to preserve food. Examples of the natural preservatives that we include in our recipes are ginger, lemon, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, oregano, and star anise.
Are homemade dog treats better than store bought? ›
Commercial pet treats have a longer shelf life due to the addition of preservatives. However, this often means sacrificing the freshness of the ingredients. Homemade pet treats, on the other hand, are prepared with fresh, whole foods, ensuring that your pet receives the maximum nutritional benefit from every bite.
Is it cheaper to make your own dog treats? ›
Homemade dog treats are easy to make even if you're not an expert baker! Some do not even require baking! Why homemade dog treats? They will be a lot cheaper than most commercial treats and you can guarantee the ingredients are healthy for your dog!
What is the longest lasting chew treat for dogs? ›
Among the long-lasting options, yak chews, elk antler chews, and certain raw bones stand out for their durability. While each dog's chewing habits vary, these options withstand vigorous chewing and last longer than softer treats or toys.
How long do homemade dog treats last on the counter? ›
One nice thing about homemade dog treats is that you can bake them hard and crispy, so there is very little moisture left in them. When a dog treat is very hard and dry, it is safe to leave at room temperature for several days, sometimes a week.
Benefits of Feeding Apple Cider Vinegar to Dogs
It will help with digestion and can be used in homemade treats, supplements, or food recipes. Apple Cider Vinegar for dogs is also known as an anti-fungal agent that fights the bad bacteria on their skin and in their gut.
What is a natural mold inhibitor for dog treats? ›
There are plenty of natural alternatives for preservation, and savvy dog guardians look for food and treats preserved with ingredients like:
- Honey.
- Salt.
- Sugar.
- Rosemary.
- Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Try spreading some yogurt or cream cheese inside, or for some lasting fun, coat the inside with sugar-free peanut butter before attaching slices of banana, berries, or watermelon to the inside walls. Put the fruit in the freezer, and once it has frozen solid, offer it to your dog as a refreshing treat.
Where do you store homemade dog treats? ›
Most dog treats will keep for several weeks in the fridge. In an airtight container in the fridge, this 'shelf-life' can be extended to a couple of months or even longer.
How do you preserve fresh dog treats? ›
I suggest putting them in an air tight container or freezer bag and storing them in your freezer rather than adding chemicals. The component of dry dog food and treats that spoils first is the fat content, which go rancid thru oxidation… second by mold growth fueled by a high moisture content.
How long are homemade dog treats good for in the fridge? ›
Let cool before giving one to your pup. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or I like to store them in my freezer which makes them firmer and makes them stay fresh a long time.
How do you package homemade dog treats for sale? ›
#2 How To Package Dog Treats
For example, dog training treats could be packaged in paper or plastic bags, but dog-friendly cookies and brownies may need to be packaged in parchment paper and then nestled in cake boxes or cookie tins. Of course, you can always test how you package your dog treats.
What is the best way to store homemade dog food? ›
How Do You Store Homemade Dog Food? Most homemade dog food recipes are safe to store in the fridge for about three to five days. Wrap the food tightly or, even better, keep it in an air-tight container.
Is it better to freeze dry or dehydrate dog treats? ›
Winner: Freeze Dried Dog Treats
Generally, dehydrated dog treats remove 90% to 95% of moisture, while freeze dried dog treats remove closer to 98% to 99%. This gives freeze dried dog treats the win for longer shelf life.
