Is Your Pet's Wet Food Spoiled? Use These 7 Simple Tests to Check for Freshness!

Wet pet food has a high moisture content, which makes it more prone to spoilage compared to dry food. If your furry friend accidentally eats spoiled food, it can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or even illness. If you're a pet owner who regularly feeds your pets wet food, you've probably often worried: "Can I still feed my pet the can I opened yesterday?" or "I bought a lot of wet food, but is it already spoiled?"

Wet pet food has a high moisture content, which makes it more prone to spoilage compared to dry food. If your furry friend accidentally eats spoiled food, it can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or even illness. Here are seven easy ways to tell if wet food has gone bad.

7 Ways to Tell If Wet Food Is Spoiled

1. Check the Expiration Date: The easiest way is to check the expiration date on the wet food packaging. Manufacturers usually clearly mark it on the bottom or top. If the expiration date has passed, the food is likely spoiled. It’s recommended to check the expiration date before purchasing and use the "first in, first out" method for your stock. However, keep in mind that even if it hasn't expired, the food may spoil early due to improper storage.
2. Check Packaging Integrity: Wet food is usually packaged in cans to maintain freshness. If you notice dents, scratches, or rust on the can, it may affect the sealing. Before buying, take a closer look and avoid choosing cans with obvious dents or damage.
3. Observe for Swelling: If the can or packaging bag is noticeably swollen, it's likely due to bacterial growth producing gas. Never feed such food to your pet, as it may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Watch for Discoloration: If you see signs of discoloration or mold, with white or gray mold spots or even fluffy spores, it means the food is no longer suitable for consumption and should be discarded immediately. If the wet food is in transparent packaging and you see mold inside, do not even open the package to prevent mold spores from spreading into the air.
5. Smell the Odor: Although wet food naturally has a stronger smell, if it smells sour, pungent, or even has a chemical odor, do not feed it to your pet.
6. Check the Texture: Fresh wet food should have a soft and moist texture. If it feels particularly slimy or sticky, it indicates that the food has been contaminated by bacteria.
7. Look for Bugs: Although small insects are more common in dry food, wet food can still breed insect eggs if the packaging is not completely sealed, affecting the food quality.

How to Properly Store Wet Food

• Unopened wet food should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Once opened, transfer the wet food to a sealed container or zip-lock bag, refrigerate it, and consume it within 3 days. If left at room temperature for too long (more than 4 hours), it should be discarded immediately.