Dog Food Storage Containers

Unless your kibble comes in a resonable bag and doesn't last longer than a week or two, a dog food storage container is highly recommended to safeguard dry dog food against air, light, moisture, insects, and rodents.

But what kind of dog food storage container should you choose? This article will explain what to look for.

Types of Dog Food Storage Containers

You don't need to buy a container intended specifically for storing pet food, but you do want to choose a container designed for food storage.

Don't be tempted to use a large garbage can or laundry hamper to store your dog's kibble. Not only are these containers unlikely to be airtight, but they're often made from materials that contain dyes and chemical compounds that can leach into the food.

Whether you opt for a plastic or steel dog food storage container, make sure it's made from material certified as food-grade. The same goes for any plastic bags you're planning to use as liners inside the container. In other words, don't use garbage bags as bin liners.

Speaking of bin liners, it is always preferable to store dry dog food in the original bag (the one exception to this rule is vacuum-sealed bags; see Freezing Dry Dog Food for details).

The super premium brands, in particular, usually come in very effective oxygen and moisture barrier bags that are far superior to any storage bin liner you could purchase.

Therefore dog food storage containers that can accommodate kibble in the original bag are generally a better choice than those that require you to pour the bag's contents into the container.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at the types of dry dog food storage containers available.

Steel Canister - If you're looking for a dog food storage container that looks great while offering superior protection against oxygen, moisture, light, and vermin, steel canisters are the way to go. Made from food-grade steel and available in sizes from small to large, these attractive canisters come in styles ranging from modern metallic to old-fashioned country. Possible drawbacks are price--expect to pay at least double of what you'd pay for plastic--and the fact that lids aren't necessarily airtight.

Plastic Bin - This is the most commonly seen dog food storage container. Plastic storage bins come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Most have hinged lids but screw tops and dispenser tops exist too. Some have wheels or handles, making it easier to move the container if you have to. While plastic is more porous than steel, there is a large assortment of food-grade plastic storage containers with completely airtight lids. You can even find plastic dog food storage containers with handles and easy-pour dispensers that let you keep your dog food in the original bag.

Stackable Container - Stackables are made from plastic, but while the aforementioned bins open at the top, these containers have a side opening, allowing them to be stacked on top of each other. This can be convenient if you have multiple pets and feed more than one food. Depending on the opening, keeping the kibble in the original bag may or may not be possible with stackable containers.

Wall-Mounted Container - Usually made from plastic, these containers attach to your wall and typically feature a dispenser opening. You won't be able to keep your dry dog food in its original bag with this type of container, which is a drawback. Additionally, wall-mounted dog food storage containers can be difficult to clean.

Glass Jar - If you must store kibble without the original bag, there is no safer material than glass. Depending on the size of your kibble pieces, a two-gallon glass jar can hold up to five pounds of dry dog food. Unfortunately most glass jars are clear, offering no protection against UV damage. For safe dry dog food storage, look for tinted glass jars with airtight lids.

Collapsible Bag - The best soft-sided dog food containers are made from heavy-duty nylon and feature airtight lids and liners made from food-grade plastic. They range in size from small (great for travel) to super large bags that can accommodate fifty pounds of kibble. One of their drawback is that determined rodents--not to mention dogs--can potentially chew threw the bag and gain access to the contents.

Dog Food Storage Container Features You Want

The ideal dry dog food storage container is:

• Airtight - One might think that an airtight lid would be a given in a container made specifically to hold dry dog food, but unfortunately that's not the case. For no-nonsense airtight storage, check out the Vittles Vault series of dog food storage containers; their patented vault-like lids look like being very good.


• Moisture Resistant - Ideally, you should be able to place your dog food storage container in a tub of water and have the contents remain completely dry. At the very least, however, any dog food storage container should be able to resist humidity, spills, and leaks.


• Able to Block Out Light - Air and moisture aren't the only dangers, which is why I don't recommend using clear plastic bins or glass jars as dog food storage containers.


• Made from Safe Materials - No matter what the material, it should be certified as food-safe to ensure that it doesn't contain harmful dyes and other chemicals that can leach into your dog's kibble. I will be discussing plastic storage containers in greater detail in the next section because there are some toxic compounds that can be found even in food-safe plastic containers.


• Able to Accommodate Kibble in the Original Bag - I strongly recommend keeping kibble in the manufacturer's bag, which means you'll need a dog food storage container big enough to hold said bag. Keep in mind that a container advertised as holding 30 pounds of kibble is unlikely to hold that amount inside the bag, so you'll almost certainly have to go up a size. Also make sure the shape of the storage container and the opening will work with your kibble bag.


• Vermin Proof - Most airtight containers also provide protection from insects and rodents, but stay away from flimsy materials and think carefully about using bag-style containers for long-term storage in an area where mice or rats are a problem.


• Sturdy and Durable - Dog food storage containers should be chew-proof to prevent your dog from scheduling an unauthorized meal. They must also be tough enough to hold dozens of pounds of kibble, and durable enough to retain their shape. A common problem with dog food storage containers is warping and dents that make it impossible to close the lid tightly after a while.


• Easy to Clean - Dog food storage containers must be cleaned regularly, so it's probably a good idea to avoid containers that will be difficult to clean. That would include most, if not all, wall-mounted containers as well as some novelty containers that come in irregular shapes.

Additional features you may want to look for include wheels or handles for easy maneuvering, easy-pour spouts, and an attractive design that matches your decor.

A Few Words about Plastic Dog Food Storage Containers

I've already emphasized the importance of using only containers and liners made of food-grade plastic, but even food-grade plastic may contain some potentially harmful chemicals that have been shown to leach into food.

One of the main culprits is Bisphenol A, or BPA.

In the European Union and Canada, the use of BPA is banned in baby bottles, and a recent FDA report raised concerns about BPA exposure in young children and babies.

Since most dogs are similar in size to young children, BPA may be harmful to dogs as well.

Does this mean that plastic dog food storage containers should be avoided?

No, as long as you keep the food in the original bag, I believe that containers made from food-grade plastic are fine. Some plastic dog food storage containers are labeled BPA-free, but this is not the norm.

If you're very concerned, I suggest contacting the company that makes the container and inquiring about their use of BPA.

That said, even if your plastic dog food storage container is 100% food-grade and BPA-free, you should still keep the kibble in the original bag or use a food-grade plastic liner that is replaced when you open a new bag of kibble.

Here's why: Plastic surfaces are porous. This means the kibble's fats and oils can leach into the plastic where they eventually turn rancid and end up contaminating the next batch of fresh kibble. Over time, the oils can even disintegrate the container's walls to the point where air can penetrate.

The Best Dog Food Storage Container

So, what's the best dog food storage container you can buy? There are many quality containers, but my first choice is an airtight steel canister, certified food-grade and capable of holding kibble in its original bag.

Tinted glass jars with airtight lids are also an excellent option, but they're not available in sizes big enough to hold a medium, let alone a large, bag of kibble.

To store a thirty-pound bag of dry dog food, you'll need to purchase at least half a dozen two-gallon jars. On the other hand, if you're planning to refrigerate some of the food, having more than one storage container is actually a plus. Glass containers don't require plastic liners, but the other dos and don'ts of safe dog food storage still apply.